What is Zumba and Why Try It?
You’ve probably heard about Zumba by now. If not, this blog will give you an overview. I started Zumba in 2012 and I have to say it’s an insanely good workout. It’s also a lot of fun and the music is invigorating. If you’ve seen it on TV or walked by a class at the gym, you get a glimpse of how intense it is. When you first start, you may have trouble keeping up with the pace. But how incredible you feel afterward and how much fun you have makes it all worth it. Here’s a little bit about Zumba to get you acquainted and learn what you can gain from it.
What is Zumba?
Zumba is an exhilarating and highly popular Latin-inspired dance fitness class that involves a combination of dance and aerobic moves. Music derives from various dance styles including salsa, mambo, chachacha, flamenco, belly dancing, hip-hop, reggaeton, and tango. Dancer and choreographer Albert “Bet” Perez created Zumba in the 1990s. (Hard to believe it’s been around that long and I just started five years ago!)
You Don’t Have to Know How to Dance – Just Move!
Some may shy away from trying Zumba, thinking they have to know how to dance to do it. Nope! The instructors create a dance routine for each song, but the steps are fairly easy to follow and many tend to pick them up quickly. Even if you don’t follow every step, Zumba is really more about moving your body. As long as you can move your body to the beat of the music, you’re doing it!
Reap the Health Benefits
Zumba offers a host of health benefits, including:
- Instantly burn calories and fat
- Improve your coordination
- Boost your mood
- Raise your self-confidence
- Relieve stress
- Improve your sleep
Because Zumba mixes working out and fun, individuals across the U.S. are hooked on it. See what the fuss is all about, find a local fitness center offering Zumba classes and give it a try!
