Photo courtesy of Rachel Baribeau.

Joe recently ran a story that Bucs defensive tackle Brian Price, who is said to have screws in his pelvis as a result of a ruptured pelvis that cut his rookie season short, was involved in Zumba classes as part of his rehab.

Joe had no idea how this could help (or hurt) so Joe decided to speak with a solid source on Zumba. Rachel Baribeau is not just a sports journalist, but a Zumba instructor. You may be familiar with her TV work on the “Tony Barnhart Show” on CBS College Sports or her appearances on “The Tim Brando Show” heard on the Sporting News Radio Network.

Until recently, Rachel hosted sports radio shows, did grunt work for ESPN GameDay broadcasts in the south, and was the online anchor for Tidesports.com (though she’s an Auburn graduate). A few weeks ago, she began working for Fox Sports and Scout.com.

JoeBucsFan: How long have you been teaching Zumba and in your view, how can this help football players?

Rachel Baribeau: Well, first, I know Zumba is great for the cardiovascular system, it’s just wonderful. Secondly, you are moving constantly. That’s what Zumba means: moving every part of your body. A lot of the moves are centered in the core area. You are moving your pelvis and your lower back, your abs, the whole nine yards. You are burning calories and building muscle. Generally in a class you can burn 500 calories. In my class you can burn 1,000.

You do not come to the gym or my class if you are not going to get a good workout. I will kick your butt (laughs), that’s for sure.

Joe: Bucs defensive tackle Brian Price is recovering from a fractured pelvis that allegedly has screws in it. Would Zumba be too intense? As an instructor, how would you assist someone like that recovering from such an injury?

Rachel: Definitely you would have to get him released by a doctor. Then the doctor allows him to come back, make sure he can work Zumba movements. Zumba is very much based in Latin dancing. It comes from Colombia. There’s also some belly dancing and hip hop and rock and roll involved but it is based in Latin dancing. Second, like any student, there are always options. Do the moves you like to do. You are not going to do the same moves the first couple of days like I do, especially if there are screws in your pelvis. Zumba kicks my butt every single time and I have been doing this for three years. I never teach the same class. Your body… you never know what is coming. But you have to listen to your body. You are the master of your own body. I can’t feel your pain. You have to be very, very in tune with your body so take it easy. After you ease into it, you can do more, very gingerly, sort of dipping your big toe into the pool.

After you come along, Zumba will make your hips will be moving and more fluid. It will help in that area. I really think Zumba is perfect [rehab for Price]. This is targeted for that area.

Joe: Have you ever had athletes in your classes?

Rachel: Sure have. As a sports reporter three or four years ago in Columbus, I trained with an arena football team there. There were no perks. I tried to train but nothing prepared me for two-a-days. I was the only female who has fully participated in a training camp with a professional football team. I had the contusions and bruises from my head to the bottom of my feet. They didn’t take it easy on me. It was the most amazing and terrifying experience of my life.

Because of that, I got into Zumba again and I invited some of those players to join me in my class. See if they could cut the mustard. There was a defensive end and another defensive lineman in the class. They were whipped. They were absolutely whipped. No joke. They almost passed out. They almost didn’t make it. They said it would be great for football players.

We cheered them on. They were dancing. They were feeling it. It was something special. They had newfound respect for Zumba.

Joe: Tell Joe a little bit about your new job with Fox Sports.

Rachel: I am a field reporter. That means I will be covering the SEC West, which will be an amazing division to cover. I will do a touch of recruiting, both football and basketball as Scout.com sends me to other events. I am very fortunate. I am excited about the new gig. The possibilities are endless. It’s pretty exciting.

You can follow Rachel on Twitter at @RachelBaribeau or monitor her work from her website RachelBaribeau.com.