Looking For Exercise Information On Zumba

By now everyone has heard about the Latin-inspired dance workout, Zumba, but maybe you're still not quite sure what it is. More than 12 million people attend weekly classes in over 125 countries around the world, and no two classes are exactly alike. But no matter where you take a class or which instructor is leading, some elements are the same: the dances are easy to follow, the music is mostly Latin, you get a great workout and have lots of fun.

Fun

One of Zumba's slogans is "exercise in disguise," meaning you should be having such a good time that you do not realize you are getting a workout. Difficult moves are made into funny, sexy or distracting steps to keep your mind side-tracked while your body does all the work. Classes are so socially upbeat that the American Council on Exercise recommends joining Zumba with friends so you can get fit while you laugh and engage on a social level at the same time.

Different

Zumba classes feel different from the moment you begin. The class structure has a familiar air with warm-ups, dancing, cool-downs and stretching, but in between, things are different. Instructors don't usually talk much, but use cues like pointing or clapping to signal a new move is coming. The dance moves and music are different from other exercise classes, as well. Music is played loud, with the four basic Zumba rhythms at the heart of the classes: merengue, reggaeton, cumbia and salsa, plus belly dancing, hip-hop, flamenco and any other dance rhythms you can imagine from around the globe.

Easy

Zumba is designed for anyone to be able to participate, without any background in dance. Some moves are challenging, but instructors offer modifications to keep the whole class in on the action. The Zumba formula, taught to each instructor during training, uses patterns and repetition to keep choreography easy-to-follow, but also fresh and surprising. The class atmosphere is not intimidating, with its own lingo or phrases that you are unfamiliar with.

Efficient

Zumba is cardio-based exercise with elements of resistance training built in to burn lots of calories while toning both upper and lower body.Depending on your level of intensity, aerobic dancing like Zumba can burn almost 500 calories per hour for a 150-lb. person. Zumba also utilizes interval training methods, alternating between faster and slower movements to improve performance and burn more fat. Research by McMaster University Ontario, published in "Journal of Applied Physiology" in 2005 showed this type of training doubled endurance capacity, meaning Zumba is both fun and efficient.