Spandex Revolution

Shortly after 2:15 on Saturday afternoon at The Middle East rock club in Cambridge, 22 locals congregate in a dimly lit basement. They spread out on the dingy wooden floor that is situated between a small stage and a bar. Ranging in age from mid-teens to early 40s, some sport threads reminiscent of the Ramones or the Sex Pistols, while others opt for Adidas and New Balanceyet they are all here for the same reason.

It’s called Punk Rock Aerobics and with more than a year and a half in operation, both in Boston and at New York’s CBGB’s rock club, the program’s unorthodox fitness regimen and offbeat philosophy (“Tight abs don’t mean s— if you’re a spineless f— who can’t think for yourself,” according to its Web site) have garnered a small, yet loyal, following among Bostonians who might not feel at home in a traditional sports club atmosphere.

And for $7, plus his or her signature on a safety waiver that states, “I hereby affirm that I will ROCK!” anyone can participate in the 90 minutes of cardiovascular anarchy that has grown in popularity through word of mouth and national exposure in Newsweek, USA Today and The New York Times.

The scents of smoke and alcohol still linger in the air from last night’s cover band tribute to the late 70’s British new wave punk group The Jam. It’s also about 40 degrees insidethe building’s heater is broken.

Enter Hilken Mancini and Maura Jasper, creators of PRA. Clad in pigtails, striped tube socks and pink gym shorts, jumping up and down with excitement, it’s obvious they are not the perky, Lycra-wearing ex-cheerleader types that would lead a Tae-Bo or kickboxing course. They are, however, certified aerobics instructors.

“I was always the girl in gym class who had a note,” Jasper admits. “And I was always telling people that punk rock wasn’t about the music, but the attitude.”

Similarly, that appears to be the theme of class.

“We’re gonna do this just like a punk song,” Mancini says, facing the class and looking more like a curious cross between Toni Basil and Johnny Rotten than an aerobics instructor. “They have three chords; we have three moves.”

While some of the moves, such as punches and lunges, are similar to any aerobics class, other variations, including the Teenage Kix, Pogo and the Skank-set to the tunes of the Sex Pistols’ “No Future,” the Ramones’ “Beat On The Brat,” and the Rezillos’ “Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight,” it’s not unlikely Jane Fonda would be shaking in her Nike cross trainers right about now.

While Jasper and Mancini often feature local musicians, which have included guitarist Mary Lou Lord, Lemonheads frontman Evan Dando and punk rock band Lost City Angels to DJ the classes, today it’s just a boombox in front of a chalkboard on the bar advertising a $3.25 Heineken special.

As the workout progresses and veers away from the campy moves, like Grease Lightning and a simulated mosh pit, Jasper and Mancini break out the bricks. With a clear neon-colored “PRA” spray-painted on each one, the class uses the bricks as weights.

Following some curls and a few rounds of push-ups, Mancini and Jasper lead the group through 100 sit-ups and a cool down routine, while passing out candy as a reward for a hardcoreyet thorough job well done.

And as unusual as the workout may seem, PRA has inspired an untouched niche of anti-Spandex society, one which has the desire to exercise but restricted either by intimidation or inexperience.

“I’ve been coming for over a year,” says Bruce Cantley, an editor from Jamaica Plain. “I can’t stand the regular gymsthe music is so bleak. Here there’s no pressure, but it’s a serious workout. I was sore for three days last week after class.”

Abby Cange, a student from Allston, says she attends the sessions not only for the exercise but the sense of community.

“Everyone here is totally cool,” Cange says. “And Maura and Hilken are very personable and nice. It’s a great workout.”

According to Jasper, the feeling is mutual.

“I love the people who take our class,” Jasper says. “We had a mother and daughter come together for the first time today. It’s a fun, low-key group.”

Mancini, who also plays guitar with local bands The Mayflowers and The Count Me Outs, says the class gives its participants a sense of confidence in an industry otherwise focused on body image .

“I think some people are disillusioned with the whole gym culture,” Mancini says. “[PRA] is not competitivethere’s no mirrors, the lighting is dark and it gets them to try exercises they might not normally do.”

But aside from fun and aerobic rebellion, PRA has become a growing enterprise. Aside from the weekly Saturday class at The Middle East, there are now Monday evening sessions offered at T.T. The Bear’s Place in Cambridge. They’ve trademarked the PRA name and are working on the simultaneous release of a forthcoming how-to book and DVD, which will include cover bands showcasing the songs featured in class. Mancini says a national publicity tour will follow, with the hopes of establishing PRA franchises in Seattle and other cities across the country.

They are, however, taking business precautions to avoid the most dreaded of all punk nuisancesposeurs.

“If people can’t teach our classes with the aesthetic we want, it’s not worth it,” Mancini says. “We don’t just want to be some Crunch gym with two dumb instructors.”