And the beat goes on

Nor, for that matter, do its devotees: At Latin Beat Fitness Studio one weeknight, a group of more than three dozen hustle through frenetic box steps mixed with booty shakes, jump-turns, shoulder shakes — all set to blasting Latin, hip-hop, and techno beats. On a stage up front, their animated taskmistress Patricia Mendoza leads them through the moves.

Their choreography isn’t perfect, or always in unison. Still, nobody seems frazzled — tassels undulate on the back pockets of the sherbet orange, teal, and lime green Zumba-brand pants worn by many of them, and they smile and giggle, getting sassy with the music.

Eventually — and to a couple of disappointed “Awwws!’’ from the crowd — Mendoza slows it down with a cha-cha, then a stretch. Afterward, as they sip water and dab away sweat, class members talk about what keeps them grooving to the beats.

There’s Diane Greer, from Medford: She had three C-sections in her 40s, leaving her body, by her description, “shot.’’ But the 50-year-old has lost 30 pounds in the past eight months.

Brian Considine, a 28-year-old from Wilmington had a gastric bypass 21 months ago and has since shed 155 pounds. He credits part of his success to his Zumba dance workout.

“It is my workout, my night out, my therapy,’’ he said, “all wrapped in one.’’

Taryn Plumb can be reached at tarynplumb1@gmail.com.