Dance 2 Fitness

Origin of Zumba

Zumba Fitness is a Latin-inspired, calorie burning, cardio-dance workout that uses music and easy to follow choreographed steps to form a fitness party atmosphere. The origin of Zumba is a grand story.

Alberto Perez, nicknamed Beto, created Zumba by accident while working as an aerobics instructor in Columbia. Arriving to teach a class one day he discovered that he had forgotten his traditional dance music. Rather than cancelling the class, he improvised using the salsa music that was in his gym bag. Beto integrated traditional dance steps along with the aerobics movements and initially called the new exercise program 'Rumbacise'. In 1999, Perez brought his new aerobic dance program to Miami, where he teamed with Perlman and Aghion and rebranded the class as 'ZUMBA'.

Zumba for you

Anyone can ZUMBA! Students should come to class with an open mind and be ready to sweat, move, and shake their booty. Since Zumba routines incorporate both fast and slow paced routines, it depends solely on the students and their stamina. All they have to do is enjoy, dance and party their way to shape. The Zumba fitness program is designed for all ages, with different routines and songs which targets specific age groups. The Zumbatomic - is a class specially designed for children aged

6-12 years, the kids can max out on fun and fitness all at the same time! For those older people who may find Zumba Basics a bit tricky a specifically designed Zumba Gold program helps them start their

journey to a fitter healthier life. Also, there is zero risk involved as students dance at their own pace. The only thing they should take care is to rehydrate themselves at regular intervals.

However, it is important to keep in mind to find a proper trained and licensed Zumba fitness instructor having adequate knowledge of the dance routines. With Zumba being the latest craze, it becomes of utmost importance to have a proper instructor who can make class fun with their innovative choreography but at the same time have basic fitness knowledge.

Each instructor has their own style and way of teaching, you just have to find an instructor whom you vibe well with.

Breaking it down

The duration of each Zumba class can vary depending on each instructor. Usually, classes are usually 60 minutes; however it can range from 20 to 60 minutes per session. The Zumba fitness routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your entire body while burning fat.

Most of the routines and styles of Zumba help you tone your leg muscles and glutes. ZumbaToning and Zumba in the Circuit are ideal for building your upper-body muscles.

i.e. muscles of your arms, shoulders, chest and back and your abdomen. Zumba routines are also designed to keep your abs and core tone and trim. The basic Zumba is great for weight loss and you burn hundreds of calories within a 30-60 minute session.

Each dance routine varies depending on the genre of music. Zumba music has a variety of flavours ranging from electro to hip hop to cumbia to merengue to Bollywood to salsa and the list continues. Each routine is different for different music. However, certain steps are repetitive so that

they are easy to follow for the students. A simple Zumba routine is an overall body workout. Using props in Zumba helps target specific areas for example, using weights helps tone down the arms further, using steppers help in exercising and toning leg muscles. The props are so well integrated

in the routine that it becomes a part of the Zumba dance routine. Zumba and Diabetes

Exercise is important for everyone, but for people with Diabetes, physical activity is essential. Zumba fitness is a crime fighter in the war on Diabetes. If you have Diabetes or prediabetes, your body is resistant to your natural insulin, which plays an active role in controlling blood sugar. Zumba fitness helps lower that insulin resistance; it's one of the best ways to get sugar out of your blood and into your cells. Fun exercise is the best kind of exercise because people tend to stick with it, which is important for Diabetes management. And what can be more fun than dancing yourself into shape with Zumba fitness.

Zumba benefits all

Zumba has a long list of both physical and mental benefits. Weight and fat loss, increased metabolism, sculpted body, destressing, improved mood, better coordination, increased flexibility, healthy and glowing skin are just to name a few. In my opinion, I do not think there are any physical disadvantages to the workout.

However, if you are not an avid dancer or are not well coordinated, you may find that the moves in Zumba a bit complicated to learn at first. The fast-paced Latin dance rhythms may be difficult for you to keep up with but with regular classes you get the hang of the routines.

Take care of your body that is the only place you have to live in. Start living and eating healthy. In today's world and age we tend to ignore what's most important to us 'our health'. Exercise not to be skinny but to stay fit.

Wilma Britto is a Licensed Zumba Instructor at

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