What is Zumba?

What Is Zumba?

Zumba is a popular fitness program inspired by Latin dance. The word "Zumba" comes from a Colombian word that means to move fast and have fun, which is just how people describe the routine. Using upbeat Latin music together with cardiovascular exercise, Zumba is aerobic dancing that is lots of fun and easy to learn.

Is Zumba Good for Weight Loss? Zumba seems to be an optimal fitness choice, mixing cardio intervals with resistance training. Many experts believe that an interval/resistance combination maximizes caloric output, fat burning, and total body toning. Zumba mixes effective body sculpting movements with easy-to-follow, fun dance steps. People seem to forget about working out during a Zumba session, allowing them to exercise longer, and burn even more calories.

What's a Zumba Class Like? A typical Zumba session lasts about an hour and incorporates several dance styles, including cumbia, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, mambo, rumba, flamenco, and calypso and Salsaton. The Latin music includes both fast and slow rhythms, allowing for a great cardio workout as well as body sculpting exercises. Depending on the instructor, you may even get a taste of belly dancing or hip-hop dancing, too.

What kind of songs do you excercise to?

Toe tapping, hip swiveling, get and move music! Mostly Latin Music is used although other genres of music can be included as well.

It doesn't matter! Zumba® Fitness Instructors will teach you the steps to their routines, but you don’t have to be able to dance to Zumba. The dance steps are basic steps and are easy to learn. Many instructors will start slowly and then pick up the tempo as the class catches on to the steps. As long as you are moving and having fun, you are doing well!

Absolutely! Even though Zumba is a high energy workout, it is easy enough for beginners to catch on to quickly. You can also control how much energy you use by increasing or decreasing your level of intensity. For example, if you feel you are doing too much, you can just do the footwork and then add the arm movements when you are more comfortable. As always, consult with your physician before starting this or any other exercise program.

Is it true that I can burn 1,000 calories an hour>

Of course everyone is different, but there have been people who say they do burn up to 1,000 calories an hour doing Zumba. It will depend on several things including age, weight, and the level of intensity you put forth during your Zumba workout, but it is possible! On average, most people will burn anywhere between 600 – 800 calories.

What do I wear to Zumba?

First and foremost you need to wear comfortable clothing. Your workout clothes should be breathable. There are lots of different types of clothing people wear. Some like the supplex materials while others like cargo types of pants. For tops, you might want to consider layers if the place you take classes in is cool at first. Once you start to Zumba, you will definitely warm up fast!

The most important thing is water! You will definitely sweat, so you need to replenish the fluid that is lost. Some people take sports drinks too. Second is a small towel. I also take a zip up hooded sweatshirt. This comes in handy for the beginning of class and then after class when I cool down.

What kind of shoes should I wear?

Comfortable shoes are a must! A shoe with a smoother sole like a court shoe or dance shoe that allows for pivoting, turning, and moving across the floor is usually recommended. Avoid shoes with deep treads because they may restrict your movement.

Zumba Basic is geared more towards the general public. Zumba Gold targets Active Older Adults, true beginners, and people who are not used to exercising. Although anyone can take a Basic Zumba® class and just bring down or adjust your level of intensity.

Besides Zumba® Gold, another popular class is Zumbatomics®  for Kids. It is, as the name implies, for younger children. However, I have also seen younger kids take a regular Zumba® class. Zumba® Fitness is also having "Basics 2" which teaches additional steps such as the Samba, Tango and Belly dance. "Zumba® Aqua" is a brand new Zumba in the water program and "Zumba® Toning" uses the toning sticks that came with the latest Zumba® Fitness  four DVD set. I also know some studios are having classes like Zumba Sculpt, Zumba Plus, and Zumba Cardio. Be on the lookout for even more new types of classes to come!