Zumba, a type of aerobic exercise performed to high energy dance music, is available for home use with personal DVDs or in group settings under the direction of a licensed Zumba instructor. You can turn your love of performing Zumba into a part or full-time career by becoming a certified teacher in workshops held in countries such as the United States, Greece, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Identification
Zumba is a fitness program developed in 1999 by celebrity personal fitness trainer Beto Perez in Cali, Colombia. Perez developed the Latin dance-exercise regimen after forgetting to bring his usual aerobics class music with him to the fitness facility where he was employed. He improvised by having his class perform aerobic exercises to traditional Latin Salsa music, according to Zumba Fitness. Today, numerous fitness professionals teach Zumba to individuals and groups in fitness centers across the United States. You can attain a Zumba certification to legally teach others the program through Zumba Fitness. The American Council on Exercise, or ACE, also offers official Zumba teacher licensing programs.
Types
Numerous types of Zumba classes and certifications exist. For example, you can receive certification in the introductory class Zumba Basic 1; Zumba Jump Start Gold for active older adults, and Zumba Basic 2, which builds on the Basic 1 class with Samba, Tango, belly dance and Flamenco-style dance rhythms, according to Zumba Fitness. Additionally, you can become certified in Zumba Gold, the second class for older active adults; Zumba Toning, which incorporates weighted props into the fitness routine; Aqua Zumba, which is performed in the water, and Zumbatonic, the children's version of the program, says the ACE.
Methodology
You can receive Zumba certification in 20 countries as of December 2010. You take the classes in person at certified training centers. You can take the Zumba Basic 1 and Jump Start Gold classes without any previous training in the program. However, for Zumba Gold certification, you must already hold a Jump Start Gold license. For all other classes, you must already have a Basic 1 teaching license, says Zumba Fitness.
Considerations
Your Zumba Fitness certification is good for one year. Each additional year you must adhere to the organization's re-certification program's guidelines to remain an active teacher of the fitness system.
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