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Shake it to the left, shake it to the right, now hands in the air and spin!” The lively music fills the room as everyone in the Zumba fitness class follows the instructor’s steps while adding their own style and flair. Fifteen minutes into the class I am sweating and smiling. I have not moved like this in a long time and it feels great! Something tells me the 40 other class participants feel the same way.
Welcome to Zumba Fitness where Latin rhythms are combined with easy to follow moves in a fun, one-hour session. Started in 1999, Zumba has grown exponentially and is taught at over 50,000 locations worldwide. The creators of Zumba have one simple goal, “To get people to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked.” Ditching traditional aerobics class moves, the interactive routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to provide whole body exercise. Or put another way, imagine 40 of your friends getting together to dance, laugh, clap and jump around for an hour and gain the benefits of exercise without it feeling like exercise. That’s the beauty of Zumba.
Lee Ann Lee started taking Zumba Fitness classes a month ago and is completely hooked. “Zumba is now offered at my fitness center, and I was curious and excited to try something new. Then I heard the music and I had to give it a try!” She makes time during her lunch hour for the twice-a-week class, despite managing a full- time job and family responsibilities. “It’s the only excuse I have to gyrate my hips inappropriately on my lunch hour. It’s a blast, and the only time in my workday I can really belly laugh!!”
Zumba Fitness movements are fluid, not jarring, and the result is an exercise approach that works with all body types, ages and abilities. AM Kiser, a 60-year-old Zumba practitioner says, “I enjoy Zumba because it is an effective way to train. It combines natural movements that are not hard on the joints.” Lee concurs and also includes the physiological benefits of Zumba: “I can see improved hip and low-back flexibility, and it really improves my mood for the day.”
Zumba Fitness classes are offered through health clubs, dance studios and a variety of other locations, so membership may not be required. The Zumba website offers a “Find a Class” option to search for classes based on city, state or zip code. Certified Zumba instructors are trained to promote fitness, using techniques that are safe for all participants. Ella Magnusson, a Zumba Fitness instructor in Austin says, “I love teaching Zumba! It's about feeling the great music and moving to the variety of rhythms that Zumba offers.” Use the “Find an Instructor” option on the Zumba website to make sure one of the 148 Austin-based certified Zumba instructors is teaching the course.
It is approaching the top of the hour and the Zumba class is winding down. We are more energized now than when we all arrived an hour ago. As we stand and stretch, the instructor provides some final words, “Get ready for next week! We are going to divide the class into two groups and have a dance off!” Everyone laughs and applauds. It is a loyal following and everyone will be back.
Zumba is a great way to start a new fitness routine, change up an existing routine, or do something that is just plain fun. Grab a friend and give it a try! For more information, to find a Zumba class, or a certified Zumba instructor, visit: zumba.com.
Austin based multi-sport fitness coach and freelance writer Susan Farago can be reached at: susanfarago.com.
Zumba Fitness is easy to follow + six courses are offered
with specific audiences in mind:
1. Basic covers the foundation steps to four basic rhythms (merengue, salsa, columbia, reggae).
2. Basic 2 covers additional steps and includes more rhythms (belly dance, flamenco, tango, samba).
3. Gold covers the basic steps and addresses the anatomical, physiological and psychological needs specific to beginners or active older adults.
4. Toning covers body-sculpting techniques and specific Zumba moves into one, calorie-burning, strength-training class. Additional materials such as weighted, maraca-like Zumba Toning Sticks are also utilized.
5. Aqua covers safe, effective and challenging water-based workouts that integrate the Zumba movements into aqua fitness disciplines.
6. Zumbatomic covers the Zumba program's exciting formula with the psychology and physiology relevant to teaching kids ages 4-12.