Zumba fitness - a new way to feel good

Zumba fitness

Zumba is the largest dance fitness program in the world, based on a Latin-inspired dance fitness program created by dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in Colombia during the 1990s.

 

Zumba involves dance and aerobic elements. Zumba's choreography incorporates hip-hop, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, martial arts, and some Bollywood and belly dance moves. Squats and lunges are also included. Joining a zumba class feels like you are at a dance party.

Origin and History of Zumba

In 1986, Perez forgot his tape of aerobics music for a class he was teaching. He took the tapes available in his car—consisting of traditional Latin salsa and merengue music—and improvised a class using this non-traditional aerobics music. After the initial success in Colombia, he took the class to the United States in 1999, where he teamed up with cofounder Alberto Perlman and a childhood friend COO Alberto Aghion.

The trio produced a demo reel, and the concept was picked up and licensed by a company called Fitness Quest to create an direct marketing campaign and a line of home videos.

Zumba exercises include music with fast and slow rhythms and resistance training. The music comes from the following dance styles: cumbia, salsa, merengue, mambo, flamenco, chachacha, reggaeton, soca, samba, belly dancing, bhangra, hip hop music, axé music and tango.

There are seven different types of classes for different levels of age and exertion, including Aqua Zumba, which is based in the swimming pool.

Article taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zumba

 

The benefits of Zumba

• A huge calorie burn
• Total body toning
• Full body workout
• Heart-health benefits
• Improves flexibility
• It works for all ages
• Great stress release
• Gives you more awareness of your body
• It makes people happy

From head and shoulder rolls that loosen up the neck and warm up the upper body, to footwork that strengthens and stretches calves and ankles, this fitness method touches on nearly every muscle and joint.

Even those who are just learning the dance steps will find themselves waking up the day after a Zumba class with a definitive post-workout feeling.

Hips and abs receive particular attention in the Latin dance style, and as with many dance exercise classes, thighs and butts often end up being sore the day after class.

Flexibility is not ignored in a Zumba class either, with warm-ups and cool-downs a regular part of Zumba programming.

 

 

Zumba party

Zumba combines exercise with fun as the moves are inspired by Latin dance and music is electrifying. Under the slogan of - do Zumba, you will have fun and will lose weight, both in the same time - , many people fill the zumba classes no matter of age or kilos.

Most of the Zumba clubs organize Zumba parties for people that want to have fun, feel good and enjoy good music. Zumba Party is a perfect combination of dance and aerobics and is always a big succes.