The participants of the “mixxed fit” classes at Whidbey Flex Studio can make walls shake. Loud cheers and stomping feet fill the room over raging hip-hop and electronic beats as owner and instructor Christine Lincks enthusiastically leads groups of people through quick and intense pops, locks and thrusts, all while smiles are etched on the faces on every person in the room.

This class is the result of the fitness studio’s members pooling funds together in order to help Lincks purchase the business. Previously named Island Time Fitness, the Ken’s Corner business was on the verge of death when it went up for sale in early May.

“When the business owner told the instructors of her intention to sell, we were worried about how the studio community would respond,” Lincks said. “When we told the students it was shutting down it caused havoc, and everyone was asking, ‘what do I do now?’ ”

The dance instructors and studio members couldn’t let their beloved fitness studio perish, so Lincks stepped up with an interest to buy. She’d worked as an instructor with Island Time Fitness since it’s opening seven years ago.

However, Lincks needed cash to finalize the purchase of the business, and some of her students stepped up with donations totaling $3,000. Three people from her fitness classes offered the funds to buy out the business and the equipment within the studio. Lincks has sole ownership of the fitness studio.

Others soon followed suit in donating funds for new equipment and amenities, such as the sign, windows, hardwood floors, mirrors, stereo systems, weights, fans, chairs and cleaning supplies, Lincks said. By the way the class members vehemently move their bodies to the music, it becomes clear how much this studio means to them, and it begins to make more sense why they open their wallets.

“The people who come here used word of mouth and people still wanted a place to dance for exercise,” Lincks said. “It was too important to them, so I got a lot of offers from them to pitch in money to allow for the purchase of our studio.”

One of those donors, Kristin Huffine, said a closure would have been devastating. Huffine was inspired by Lincks to lose weight following a pregnancy, which Lincks also had to deal with. Lincks has lost 90 pounds since starting dance fitness classes such as zumba and the new “mixxed fit” classes. Huffine is determined to follow Lincks’ example to shed some pounds — so much so that she personally donated $1,000 to help keep the business afloat. Huffine has been attending Lincks’ classes for the past four year.

“Christine and the other instructors are very good at motivating and they’re there to help you reach your goals,” Huffine said. “You don’t just show up and work out, they offer to help you and provide nutritional advice if you’re looking for it. They treat you like family.”

Track Bergsma, one of Lincks’ dance class students, said Lincks’ purchase was more for the community than personal financial gain. If she hadn’t stepped up, patrons would have been crushed.

“The purchasing of this studio, which is basically a community-driven purchase, is amazing because there are many of us who struggle with weight and aren’t able to afford the gyms around here that have high rates,” Bergsma said. “It means so much to some of us that people are throwing her $100 bills if they are able to. We will do anything to help keep this going.”

Whidbey Flex Studio offers classes for varying ages and fitness levels. Classes include “sit to be fit” for those who have limited mobility, zumba, lower impact zumba, “piyo,” which is a pilates-yoga mix and the intense “mixxed fit” class. They are currently seeking yoga instructors to expand their offered programs.

A drop-in visit is priced at $8, a selection of five classes costs $35, 10 classes costs $65 and an unlimited monthly pass runs for $80. All high school and college students receive 50 percent off all classes.