Zumba
What is zumba fitness?
Zumba is practiced in an environment
with energetic music and is composed of a aerobic and dance movements. The steps
are formed using hip-hop, mambo, meringue, salsa, samba and soca. Steps also
include lunges and squats. It assures fitness and weight loss results done in a
fun enjoyable way.
Zumba fitness has evolved and
transformed over a period of time. It offers a number of fitness alternatives.
Zumba sentao, Zumba gold toning, aqua Zumba etc. are some of its variations.
These alternatives vary with locality, country and training instructor. Zumba
fitness is sold in DVDs, videogames, seen in television programmes and so on.
Zumba is helping people globally to
become fit using the base of dance. Zumba fitness LLC owns the trademark rights
of the Zumba dance.
History on Zumba fitness
Zumba fitness, its owner does not
charge licensing fees to fitness centres and gyms. More than 15 million people
participate in the Zumba fitness programme spread over 2 lakh locations across
more than 180 countries. Claudia Leitte, the world renowned pop singer from
Brazil is the international ambassador for Zumba fitness.
Alberto Beto Perez, was a celebrity
fitness trainer. During the 1990s, he came across the idea of fitness based on
dance concept using Latin-inspired music. It so happened that on one occasion,
Alberto forgot to take music to the aerobics class. He took out a tape
comprising of traditional Latin, merengue and salsa music and used it in the
class. All members loved it. Then he improvised and modified the class to suit
this music and thus was created a new concept of fitness. Alberto took this
concept to USA and after heavy promotion and investment transformed into a
global fitness concept.
Does it help to reduce weight?
Zumba Fitness is a dance based
exercise class. As with other dancing exercise forms, you will burn calories
and improve your fitness. An average class lasts from 45 minutes to one hour.
ZF is a mixture of aerobic and Latin
dance moves. It uses the resistance of a person’s individual body weight.
Results will depend a lot on what you perform and which methodology you follow
in the class. Different styles focus on different muscle groups to achieve
desired results. In case of Zumba Toning style, people make use of lightweight
sticks to form resistance and the target muscle groups are towards thighs, arms
and abs. The dance form used in planning with a healthy balanced diet can work
wonders in your weight loss programme. Sometimes, people make assumption that
that will use up about 800kcal and consume more calories as a reward tending to
reduce the end result.
A few tips for beginners:
1) Take reference from other members
already doing the specific class.
2) Be on the watch for trainers with
Look for accreditations. Zumba fitness is relatively new and not regulated
totally. Also, inquire on their experience and qualifications.
3) It is an exercise form and
participants must warm up and cool down to prevent injuries.
4) It is important to consult a doctor
or exercise professional if you have any pre-existing health conditions. A high
intensity aerobic workout could result in a heart attack. This brings us to the
next point.
5) Work as per your own level. Do not
overdo looking at other participants.
6) Doing on your own watching exercise
DVDs could result in serious injuries if you do not perform properly.
7) For enhanced fitness and weight
loss results, it is advisable to use a combination of Zumba classes and a
resistance program.
Also, take a planned and balanced diet
to see the wonderful results.
Zumba is the in thing for weight loss
and fitness in an enjoyable and fun manner.
Have fun doing Zumba!
