I have to say Zumba is one of my favorite classes that I enjoy taking on a regular basics. Zumba has become one of the most popular new fitness frenzy for the last year or so. Let me tell you why.
Zumba Fitness is a Latin-inspired dance fitness program created in the mid-90’s by Alberto “Belo” Perez who actually did it by accident. Belo, who is from Columbia, had to teach an aerobics class but forgot the music for the class. He ended up putting in his own mix of salsa and merengue music one and changed the focus to letting the music move you instead of counting reps. His class loved it and that’s how Zumba started.
In 2001 Belo bought the Zumba concept to Florida and from there it has grown to become one of the world’s biggest and successful dance-fitness programs. This fitness craze isn’t just popular in the US but also in over 110,000 locations across the 125 countries. Zumba Fitness is designed to be a calorie burning dance/fitness class/party all in one. It has inspired millions of people to get up and move to the beat.
Zumba has become so popular that they have different categories of Zumba classes:
Zumba (Regular): This is the most common version people participate in at most gyms. It is a high energy class that is appropriate for everyone. The music includes salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggateton.
Zumba Gold: This class targets the active older population. It is still similar to the regular Zumba class just modified to be appropriate for the active older person.
Zumba Toning: This class helps with body sculpting and you use a toning stick to add some weight and resistance to your work out.
Aqua Zumba: Also known as “Zumba pool party”. This class is a water-based workout that involves toning exercises in the water.
Zumbatomic: This class is designed for children ages 4-12. It’s a high energy fitness party filled with specialized choreography and music for children.
I normally go to Zumba on Saturday’s and use it as one of my cardio workouts for the week. It’s definitely a good time every time I go and I love the energy in the class. It is one of the less injury prone classes compared to Stiletto or Pole Fitness workouts. Zumba is more of a cardio type workout than strength training although Zumba toning seems to offer more resistance training which is good. I enjoy Zumba so much that I plan to get certified to teach it in the next few months! I would have no problem recommending this class to anyone. Go try Zumba out at least once and see if you like it. Let me know if you have tried it and what you think.
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO:
Look forward a nutrition article and Photo Friday. Also, don’t forget about the April Abs Challenge. There are only a few days left.
Yours In Fitness,
Lauren “LC” Chatman