Although many types of aerobic exercise incorporate elements of dance, Jazzercise is one of the oldest and most successful. According to the Jazzercise website, they have "taken moves from hip-hop, yoga, Pilates, jazz dance, kickboxing, and resistance training." Zumba has spread worldwide since its founding in 1999. Both are group classes that use elements of dance but are specifically geared toward the exerciser, including many who are trying to lose weight. As its name suggests, Jazzercise grew out of the jazz dance tradition for its routines, whereas Zumba was born out of Latin music and dance.
History
According to the Jazzercise website, jazz dancer Judy Sheppard Missett founded Jazzercise in 1969, and it has become a "worldwide phenomenon" taught in 32 countries. Jazzercise sells franchises to trained instructors. Zumba, on the other hand, was "accidentally" created by Beto Perez when he improvised a dance exercise class in his native Colombia. The soul of Zumba is Latin dance music, rhythms, and moves, but classes also include other sounds and styles, depending upon the taste of the instructor. The Zumba website states that as of July 2009, 75 countries host Zumba classes.
Choreography
Jazzercize instructors receive fitness-approved choreography (in the form of a DVD) every 10 weeks. They then teach these routines, which can be memorized over time. The routines are built on basic jazz dance or exercise steps, shown on their website. Once you know these, you can master any Jazzercise routine. Zumba, on the other hand, is much more informal. Their tagline is "Ditch the workout, join the party!" Every class includes Latin dance steps, mostly salsa and merengue inspired. Instructors create their own routines, which may or may not be consistent from one class to the next. Often the choreography goes with the music, but individual instructors will usually vary their music during each class.
Music
Both Jazzercise and Zumba draw on a wide variety of music genres to accompany their routines. Jazzercise generally has a more jazz or pop influence, but may include ballads, country, and hip hop. Zumba is definitely Latin-influenced, incorporating elements of merengue, salsa, and reggaeton in most classes. In both classes, the individual tastes of the instructor will dictate the particular mix of songs and music types.
Instructor Certification
Jazzercise instructors must pass a rigorous training over two to three days. Every certified instructor holds a franchise, but substitute instructors may also be trained to work for franchisees. Training includes information on health and fitness and CPR, as well as the jazzercise routines. Zumba certification can be accomplished in one day by attending one of the many regularly scheduled trainings held around the world each month. You need to be enthusiastic, coordinated, creative and outgoing to pass. Zumba instructors can give classes in any venue with appropriate facilities.
Types of Classes
Jazzercise franchises offer a wide variety of exercise classes. There is Jazzercise for kids, low-impact, toning, weight training, and step. Zumba currently offers six different types of instruction, including classes for seniors, kids, toning, and Aqua Zumba in the water.
Member Comments
tswcwc May 29
Having attended both Jazzercise and Zumba classes, for safety and physiology knowledge, Jazzercise definitely is tops. Both have great, fun dance routines, energetic music, and make you feel you've gotten a great workout. I tend to opt for Jazzerrcise since it incorporates strength training and toning all within the one-hour workout. Its instructors give constant cues as to the next moves which I like, whereas with Zumba, I sometimes felt like my knees or back would get injured because movements are quick without proper instruction to transition to the next movement safely. Both are fun!
onebluedoggie October 21
I do both Jazzercise and Zumba pretty regularly - both regular Zumba and Zumba Gold. Jazzercise is, by far, the better overall workout.
Jodeeg416 February 23
Yes I too also do both Jazzercise and Zumba. The instruction with Zumba does depend on the teachers likes but the thing I find out with my teacher is there is no slow warm up, when your using the Latin music much of it is fast, so warm ups tend to bring that heart rate up so quickly and yes the strengthening section of Jazzercise out weighs Zumba. I get something different out of both of them and that is why I still am doing both..Whatever works is best!!
workoutaholic6 March 7
I have to agree with other comments. Jazzercise is a better overall workout. It offers instruction during the work out making for better overall safety and muscle targeting.
Zumba offers NON-verbal cues making me feel insecure about making proper movements, therefore causing me not to commit to movements that should be working the muscle.
My hour is more fruitful with Jazzercise. Zumba is fun and good cardio, but Jazzercise is more effective if one really wants to work on muscle toning, stretching and strength. If money and time was no problem, I would probably do both just for fun.
angelitafeliz April 9
While I have not done a jazzercise class, I cannot imagine getting more of a workout than the Zumba class I attend. I have found that it varies by instructor, but from our class I get an incredible cardio workout as well working my abs, quads and calves, and biceps and triceps besides the muscles I don't know the name of. And it did not take long at all to learn the routines inside out. My instructor is great with cues and does take time to tell you what muscle group to focus on depending on the song. I would encourage those who haven't to try more than one class and find the instructor that fits them.
jazzydancer May 11
Your information is incorrect. Every Jazzercise instructor including associates and substitutes, must undergo rigorous training over a period of months. Every instructor is franchised, and every instructor is monitored every 6-12 months to insure that the classes are safe and effective, and taught in the correct form. Zumba instructors are not monitored, and can teach in just about any form they choose. Zumba can be fun and effective, but it totally depends on the individual instructor.
JaciSheefra July 1
The reason some of you feel like you get a better workout with Jazzercise is because Jazzercise feels like exercise! Zumba does not! Zumba is the first exercise I have been able to stick with (2 years). I have been looking for it for 20 years.
Zumba instructors get fitness approved choreography every 8 weeks and/or they can make their own. I love visiting different instructors to see different styles. Zumba is now in 125 countries. It is not mostly salsa, merengue and Reggaeton it also includes belly dance, bhangra/bollywood, swing, 50's rock, samba, african, cumbia, greek, batucada, hip hop, quebradita (sp?)and anything else you can think of. So try them both and I would would bet you will want to ditch the work out and join the party!