Zumba is an exercise and Party based fitness program created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Pérez during the 1990s. Zumba is a trademark owned by Zumba Fitness, LLC. The Brazilian pop singer Claudia Leitte has become the international ambassador to Zumba Fitness.
Origin: Zumba was founded in 1998 by Pérez in Cali, Colombia. Pérez, an aerobics instructor, forgot to bring his regular music to his aerobics class. He happened to have cassette tapes of Latin dance music—salsa and merengue—and danced to them instead, which Pérez later taught as "Rumbacize". In 2001, Pérez partnered with Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion, and the trio released a series of fitness videos sold via infomercial. Insight Venture Partners and the Raine Group made an investment in 2012. The company expanded into class instruction and by 2015, according to Perlman, there were 14 million Zumba students in 186 countries.
The word "Zumba" is a neologism that was expressly created as a brand name. The original name was "Rumbacize", a combination of rumba (a Spanish word "party" and various dances) and Jazzercize.
Choreography
Zumba choreography is composed using all or some of the sixteen core steps.
There are four basic rhythms: Salsa, Cumbia, Reggaeton, Merengue and each basic rhythm have four core steps.
Classes
Zumba classes are typically about an hour long and are taught by instructors licensed by Zumba Fitness, LLC. In one Zumba class, a person can burn up to 600 kcal, depending on the energy put forth.
The music comes from the following dance styles: Salsa, Cumbia, reggaeton, Merengue, Mambo, Flamenco, Chachacha, Soca, Samba, Hip Hop Music, Axé music and Tango. Zumba is one of the most versatile fitness workouts, as classes can be geared for any fitness level.
There are ten types of classes, for different levels of age and exertion.
Zumba Gold is a program designed for beginners and older people.
Zumba Step is a lower-body workout that incorporates Zumba routines and step aerobics with Latin dance rhythms.
Zumba Toning is for people who do their workouts with toning sticks. It targets the abs, thighs, arms, and other muscles throughout the body. This type of Zumba class provides participants with a cardio workout and strength training.
Aqua Zumba classes are held in a swimming pool. The instructor leads the class poolside while participants follow in shallow water. Moves have been specially adapted to combine the same dance movements used in a Zumba Fitness class with those used in aqua fitness classes.
Zumba in the Circuit combines dance with circuit training. These classes usually last 30 minutes and feature strength exercises on various stations in timed intervals.
Zumba Kids and Zumba Kids Jr. classes are designed for children between the ages of 7 and 11.
Zumba Gold-Toning is a toning class for older participants with goals of improving muscle strength, posture, mobility, and coordination.
Zumba Sentao is a chair workout that focuses on using body weight to strengthen and tone the body.
Strong by Zumba was launched in 2016. This specialty combines high intensity interval training with Synced Music Motivation.
Zumbini is a class for babies and children at the ages of 0–3 years old and their caregivers. Their live classes stream on BabyFirstTV.
A Plate by Zumba is an e-learning program to learn about healthy eating habits.
Zumba instructors have the option to become ZIN™ Members (Zumba Instructor Network members) to receive monthly music and bimonthly training DVDs to assist with the creation of music and choreography for their personal Zumba classes. By 2019, there are more than 100,000 Zumba instructors around the world.
Benefits
Zumba is a total-body cardio and aerobic workout, which provides large calorie consumption. A study shows that a person burns 300 to 900kcal with an hour-long Zumba exercise.
Because Zumba offers different options, proponents of the Zumba program claim that it is safe for all ages, meaning that anyone from age 0 to 100 can participate in this form of aerobic exercise. Some of the classes are specifically aimed at elderly people, to help them build strength, improve motion and posture, and socialize.
Besides its high calorie burning benefit, Zumba can help lower the risk of heart disease, reduce the blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and increase your good cholesterol.
Is Zumba hard for beginners?
Zumba is not difficult or hard. It will feel like it at first because you don't know where you are supposed to go next. You will learn common choreography over time. ... In those four classes you will know for sure if Zumba is for you.
What is Zumba good for?
Because Zumba dancing burns calories so quickly, it can help you lose a significant amount of weight in one month. Besides losing weight, Zumba can help lower your risk of heart disease, reduce your blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and boost your good cholesterol. If you have heart disease, your doctor may suggest starting back on the road to fitness in a cardiac rehab program instead of jumping right into a Zumba class.
What do you wear for Zumba?
Come dressed in comfortable fitness attire that's easy to move in and can handle sweat. Wear sneakers that support dance movement — think side-to-side movements and pivots rather than simple front-to-back movement. Good shoes can include cross trainers, dance sneakers, or even running shoes with a worn-out tread.
How many days a week should you do Zumba?
The three pillars of weight loss: Zumba Fitness founder Beto Perez recommends starting with 20 minutes of Zumba dancing three times a week if you have no fitness background. Over the next few weeks, try to build up to 45 to 60 minutes a session at least three times a week.
Can we drink water during Zumba?
There are plenty of ways to stay fit and stay cool (like this pool workout), but no matter if you go for a swim or Zumba class. Then drink one to two cups of water 15-20 minutes before exercise. During: Drink a half to one cup of water every 15 minutes during exercise.
Is it OK to work out on an empty stomach?
When it's all said and done, eating before a workout can actually increase your metabolism in the long run. In short, yes, it's feasible to work out on an empty stomach and get by just fine. Some people prefer it because they feel lighter, are more alert, and experience increased focus.
When should I eat after exercising?
Most dietitians recommend eating something within 30 minutes after a workout. Your body, after using up its available energy, needs to be refueled, specifically with carbs and protein, for energy and to repair the micro damage that exercise does to your muscles
Which is better Yoga or Zumba?
Both, yoga and Zumba are a great source of losing calories and toning your body. If your main aim is only to lose weight as soon as possible, Latin-based dance Zumba is your thing. But, if you plan to increase your body's flexibility and indulge in meditation and breathing exercises as well, yoga is your call.
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