Do You Zumba?

Is Zumba an exercise program or a dance routine? The only answer that addresses both is a resounding ‘yes.’ Zumba is one of the fastest growing, dance aerobics exercises program in the country.

Combining large and small muscle movements and constant activity, these wildfire routines set to Latin and Caribbean tempos make getting healthy and stronger almost an afterthought. Matched only by its fun, its versatility just makes it even better.

Whether in a gym, a living room or a dorm room, Zumba can be performed almost anywhere!

Origins

The dance craze or the exercise boom started when its inventor was running late. No, he didn’t boogie his way to the aerobics class he taught, but he didn’t have time to pick up his standard music. He arrived at the gym with only the music he already had with him—salsa and merengue music. He improvised the routines that day, adjusting the rhythm slightly, and lo and behold, his class loved it. Zumba was born.

Within just a few years, Zumba fitness has grown from a local hit to an international favorite, and the decline of its popularity is nowhere to be seen.

Exercise

Zumba utilizes virtually every muscle group in the body. Wide, controlled arm sweeps exercise arms, shoulders, back and neck muscles. Abdominal muscles get a work-out in virtually every movement in Zumba which features rolling and swirling torso movement. Hips, thighs, calves and even feet are the workhorses that drive Zumba, most often using the merengue style of stiff leg movements.

The cardiovascular system is strengthened by this low-impact exercise style and its constant motion. Earning only momentary respite between dance tunes, the heart is required to pump harder, but the motions of head, arms and body can be modified to tailor fitness and health levels.

Dance

Salsa, reggae, and Haitian music anchor the tempos most often used with Zumba, but the movements can easily be adapted to hip hop or even some disco beats if desired.

Use the Zumba program DVDs to learn the basics and let yourself go and immerse yourself in the Latin undertones and the mesmerizing beats. Escalate your workout as you become more familiar with the routines and your fitness level rises until one day you realize you don’t think of it as exercise anymore.

It’s a chance to dance, to release every bit of stress and to permit yourself absence of worry. Life will resume shortly. For now, feel that beat seep into your bones and muscles and just dance.

General

Zumba exercises the entire body. It both wears you out from the exercise and invigorates you from your naturally produced endorphins and adrenaline.

While Zumba may not be for everyone, natural athletic ability isn’t required. You don’t even have to be a good dancer. You just have to like music, stick with it, and be willing to dance the moves and sometimes even improvise. That’s it.

Zumba Fitness program is recognized by the Aerobics Fitness Association of America, IDEA Health and Fitness Association, and the American Council on Exercise.

Summary

You can Zumba when you’re alone or when you’re with a crowd. Give yourself just a bit of room to move, start the music and let the party begin!

Do you Zumba?

About the Author
JC Ryan is a freelance writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers helps people determine if an online education is right for them and helps them understand which online courses and online schools they can choose from to reach their goals.