Zumba is a very dynamic and exciting class full of Latin and exotic music flavors. The routines feature aerobic interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. It targets areas such as glutes, legs, arms, abdominals, and the most important muscle in the body, the heart! It is a mixture of body sculpting movements and easy to follow dance steps.

In the process you’ll burn more calories than doing the same old same old routines. Ballroom, Latin, Swing, or any dancing in general can raise the heartbeat anywhere from 80 to 120 beats per minute. Sustained in 2-minute bursts over a 45-minute period, dancing will build the hearts strength and endurance. Dancing is also the perfect blend of isometric and isotonic resistance, two key ingredients in muscle building and toning. Besides working every muscle in the body, dancing is good for your heart and mind.

Dancing relieves stress, aids relaxation, builds self-esteem, straightens your posture, helps your social ease, and boosts emotional and physical health.

HISTORY OF ZUMBA

Beto Perez, stumbled upon the concept of Latin inspired fitness in his native country of Colombia (South America) in the mid 1990’s. One day, he walked into his class and realized that he had forgotten his music. His only option was to grab whatever tapes he had in his car. Beto’s tapes were the songs that he loved, the traditional Latin and dance music with which he had been raised. But still, it was a challenge to improvise a whole class on the spot. Beto rose to the challenge, and this last-minute improvisation turned into the birth of a new fitness program, then called “Rumbacize.” The class was in high-demand and became the most popular class at his fitness facility.

In 1999, after his success in Colombia, Beto brought the class to the United States, where he was approached by entrepreneurs Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion to create a global company based on the Rumbacize fitness philosophy. They officially changed the name to “Zumba,” and set a goal to offer Zumba classes all over the world.

In 2002, Perlman and Aghion secured a deal with a large infomercial company to launch the concept nationwide.The overwhelming response created a demand for more Zumba instructors. So Zumba began training instructors. The instructor training program was an instant success. By September 2006, there were over 2000 Zumba instructors worldwide.

In 2006 Zumba partnered with media titans Mark Burnett (Survivor/ The Apprentice / Rock star) and Emilio Estefan (#1 Latin Music Producer) to once again revolutionize the fitness industry. Burnett, Estefan, and Zumba are working on a top secret project that will finally take the “work” out of “working out”.

What do I wear to Zumba?

You can wear sweat pants, shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, anything comfortable and cool. As for shoes, wear athletic shoes that give you support. I recommend cross-trainers or shoes with “shocks”. Also, bring a bottle of water.

What can I expect when I come to Zumba?

The instructor will lead the class in easy, simple movements that are combinations of dance and fitness. The students just follow along; usually just visual cues are given so that the class can listen to the music and immerse into the feel of the music. The music is fun and invigorating and is mostly latin; the dancing is varied: salsa, merengue, cha-cha, bachata, tango, cumbia, reggaeton, samba, calypso, belly dance, swing, country, hip-hop, and alot of hip shaking! Fitness moves such as lunges, bicep curls and other arm-toning isolations, and crunches (while standing) are incorporated. The class structure starts with a warmup and proceeds to intervals of faster and slower tempos throughout the hour, ending with a cool-down and stretch. Also, expect to smile, laugh, sweat, meet great people.

Benefit of Zumba

Zumba is a total package: mind, body and spirit! Physically you will burn calories, build cardio strength and tone muscles, Mentally you will relieve stress, stimulate your brain by learning coordination and new steps, feel better moving in your body. Spiritually you will feel joy, forget your worries, gain self-confidence and self-esteem.

Sources: Dance Yoga, Models NSYNC

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