A Zumba Fitness program creates a dynamic workout system that, as the Zumba website claims, is “the best party around.”History of Zumba
Fitness trainer, Alberto "Beto" Perez, first stumbled upon the concept of Latin inspired fitness in his native country of Colombia in the mid ‘90s. One day, he arrived at class without his aerobics music.
His only option was to grab the tapes he had in his car; his favorite Latin salsa and merengue music. From this last-minute improvisation was born a revolutionary fitness program – Zumba®! The class soon became the most popular at his fitness facililty and in 1999, after his success in Colombia, Beto brought the class to the United States.
Zumba Explodes!
Quoting from the Zumba website – “Zumba® has become nothing short of a revolution. Coining the concept of fitness-party™ and making fitness fun, Zumba® has spread like wild-fire, and has positioned itself as the single most influential movement in the industry of fitness.”
Interval Training
Zumba uses an interval training concept, which means there is no need for constant motion without a slow-down and anyone can follow along. Beginners and seniors may be more comfortable starting with Zumba Gold classes. The same infectious music and dance steps are used, but at a slower pace, with more time devoted to introducing the steps.
Zumba Classes Take Northern CA Town by Storm
Joy Smith of Santa Cruz, CA heard about the Zumba fitness phenomenon just as she was readying to open her new studio, Santa Cruz Dance Company. After training as an instructor, she held open houses offering a complimentary introductory class. Word of mouth brought students flocking through her studio doors. Zumba means “to buzz like a bee” in Spanish and that’s exactly what took place. The whole town was buzzing with the excitement of this upbeat new way to work out. Joy continues to offer a free introductory class to all new students.
Burning Calories While Having Fun
Devout observers of the popular television show Dancing with the Stars, will notice celebrities losing weight while rehearsing and performing on the show. Zumba students burn calories at class, but just as important are body toning benefits and the energizing pleasures derived from the party-like atmosphere.
Zumba Education Specialist
Joy Smith has been selected to become an International Education Specialist and is working to launch Zumba in France where she has dance connections. At the audition for this position, Joy met Beto Perez, creative director and co-founder of Zumba. Joy says, "All the applicants were grounded and positive; there was not one diva there. I was so impressed and realized how important this is to the Zumba family.”
Student Testimonials
“When I took my first Zumba class, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I'd been waiting all my life for this. The moves are ridiculously sexy, but no one is judging me. Within minutes, I am sweating up a storm, but don't want to stop. Aside from the cardiovascular health benefit, it also allowed me to be able to participate in other activities with more vigor - use your imagination. I'm hooked, and would recommend this to anyone who loves to dance and wants a good work out.”
-Anonymous
“I was searching for an activity to help me lose the extra weight I've carried since the birth of my son. I discovered Zumba, the perfect combination of fitness and dance. It's fast-moving and fun, and the music is so infectious, the songs stay with you long after the class has ended.”
-Robyn B.
Find a class or order a Zumba DVD workout led by founder Beto Perez on the Zumba website.
Related stories:
Zumba Your Way to Fitness by Vicki F. Chavis
Zumba Gold - Dance Your Way to Vibrant Health by Vicki F. Chavis
The copyright of the article How to Stay Fit with Zumba Dance in Mind/Body Fitness is owned by June Smith. Permission to republish How to Stay Fit with Zumba Dance in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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