DITCH THE WORKOUT! JOIN THE PARTY!
What is Zumba?
Overview: Zumba Fitness is the name of the company that now brings Zumba, a dance fitness method and growing fitness empire, to students in more than 30 countries throughout the world. Zumba is cardiovascular exercise relative to an aerobic dance class, but the dances and steps are derived from the world of Latin dance and world music.
History: Beto Perez developed Zumba dance fitness in the 1990s. Perez was teaching group fitness classes, as well as salsa dance lessons on the side. One day he found himself without standard music for his cardio dance classes, so he played a selection of songs he used to teach Latin dance students instead. He choreographed the class using simple versions of traditional Latin dance steps. His approach was well-received. It wasn't long until Perez created the classes that would become known as Zumba.
Fitness Approach: Zumba is an aerobic dance class that utilizes the theory of high-intensity intervals to promote a varying heart rate and exertion level throughout the hourlong class. This approach intends to cycle through songs of different beats per minute and dance step combinations of different intensity levels. That creates a class that offers bursts of high-energy movement interspersed with longer bouts of steady-state exercising using larger integrated muscle groups moving at an even pace.
Dance Features: Zumba features commonly performed dance steps from the salsa and Latin dance culture. Salsa dance steps feature a 1-2-3 count with a good amount of hip action, and feet that press along the floor. Merenge is a step that is a Zumba regular, favored for its simple 1-2 marching rhythm. Cumbia is an easy to learn Columbian folk dance that features one-sided movements, and Reggaeton is a tougher, more urban style of modern Latin dance.
Benefits: The benefits of Zumba are well-documented and easy to understand. First, Zumba burns a lot of calories, with an average of 400 to 600 calories per class estimated, depending on fitness level and body weight. Zumba studios have published numerous stories of weightloss success of its participants. Aside from the cardiovascular workout and energy burn, Zumba is also an infectious, fun type of exercise, so students tend to participate regularly and with vigor, helping to support their positive outcomes.
Elements of a Class: A Zumba class consists of a low-key, high-energy environment. The dances and steps are both interesting and accessible to class participants. Zumba is taught not by memory, but instead by live demonstrations. In other words, in Zumba you will dance along with the instructor as well as all the other students. There are no fitness level or dance experience requirements. Zumba classes cause people to sweat, smile, breathe heavy and have fun. The Zumba motto is: "Ditch the workout, join the party."
Reference: About Zumba, Zumba on th eToday Show (Video), Samba Lines, Zumba.com.
Overview: Zumba Fitness is the name of the company that now brings Zumba, a dance fitness method and growing fitness empire, to students in more than 30 countries throughout the world. Zumba is cardiovascular exercise relative to an aerobic dance class, but the dances and steps are derived from the world of Latin dance and world music.
History: Beto Perez developed Zumba dance fitness in the 1990s. Perez was teaching group fitness classes, as well as salsa dance lessons on the side. One day he found himself without standard music for his cardio dance classes, so he played a selection of songs he used to teach Latin dance students instead. He choreographed the class using simple versions of traditional Latin dance steps. His approach was well-received. It wasn't long until Perez created the classes that would become known as Zumba.
Fitness Approach: Zumba is an aerobic dance class that utilizes the theory of high-intensity intervals to promote a varying heart rate and exertion level throughout the hourlong class. This approach intends to cycle through songs of different beats per minute and dance step combinations of different intensity levels. That creates a class that offers bursts of high-energy movement interspersed with longer bouts of steady-state exercising using larger integrated muscle groups moving at an even pace.
Dance Features: Zumba features commonly performed dance steps from the salsa and Latin dance culture. Salsa dance steps feature a 1-2-3 count with a good amount of hip action, and feet that press along the floor. Merenge is a step that is a Zumba regular, favored for its simple 1-2 marching rhythm. Cumbia is an easy to learn Columbian folk dance that features one-sided movements, and Reggaeton is a tougher, more urban style of modern Latin dance.
Benefits: The benefits of Zumba are well-documented and easy to understand. First, Zumba burns a lot of calories, with an average of 400 to 600 calories per class estimated, depending on fitness level and body weight. Zumba studios have published numerous stories of weightloss success of its participants. Aside from the cardiovascular workout and energy burn, Zumba is also an infectious, fun type of exercise, so students tend to participate regularly and with vigor, helping to support their positive outcomes.
Elements of a Class: A Zumba class consists of a low-key, high-energy environment. The dances and steps are both interesting and accessible to class participants. Zumba is taught not by memory, but instead by live demonstrations. In other words, in Zumba you will dance along with the instructor as well as all the other students. There are no fitness level or dance experience requirements. Zumba classes cause people to sweat, smile, breathe heavy and have fun. The Zumba motto is: "Ditch the workout, join the party."
Reference: About Zumba, Zumba on th eToday Show (Video), Samba Lines, Zumba.com.
