Zumba – the latest cardio dance craze with a Latin flavour – will get you on your feet and into shape fast!

By Susan Minuk

Why not give Zumba fitness a whirl? Performed to a fusion of Latin dance rhythms such as the cha-cha, merengue, salsa, mambo, calypso, belly dance and even rock ’n’ roll, Zumba (pronounced zoom-bah), the latest and hottest rage in fitness, is a high-energy aerobic workout with easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind class.

 

What’s it all about? The Zumba workout began unexpectedly in the ’90s when Colombian-born celebrity fitness trainer Beto Perez was about to start a fitness class only to realize he had left his usual aerobics music at home. He substituted traditional Latin, salsa and merengue music, which led to the birth of a new fitness program, then called Rumbacize. Perez took the class to the United States, where he teamed with entrepreneurs Alberto Pearlman and Alberto Aghion to build on the innovative fitness philosophy. The partners changed the name to Zumba and now more than 20,000 instructors have been through the training programs.

 

As of July 2009, Zumba is being taught at over 40,000 locations in 75 countries, has sold millions of DVDs and has changed the lives of Latin dance and fitness fans worldwide with an astonishing five million participants taking classes.

 

A routine can typically feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. Zumba also utilizes resistance training to increase strength and agility and maximize caloric output. It targets the gluts, legs, arms, abs, back, heart and the mind. Zumba is the ultimate “feel-good” workout.

 

Homegrown enthusiasm. Instructor Natasha Cooke teaches classes both privately and at Toronto community centres. “Three years ago I took my first Zumba class from the originator [Perez] at the Can-Fit-Pro conference in a ballroom at the Metro Convention Centre,” she says. “There were about 300 fitness instructors, laughing, smiling, sweating, movin’ and groovin’ to the most amazing Latin beats for over 90 minutes. Fitness instructors are ‘hard sells’ when it comes to accepting new types of classes, and I have never seen a happier bunch of instructors than during this workout. It was absolutely magical. I knew then and there that I would be bringing Zumba to my clients and fitness class participants!”

Cooke advises that to find an instructor, look for someone who is professional, personable, fun, motivating, safe and interested in his or her Zumba devotees. “The age range of my participants is between 15 and 70-plus,” she points out, noting that to do Zumba, proper footwear is essential to guard against injury. “Zumba is great for anyone who loves to work out to Latin music, learn some snappy dance moves and wants to sweat and have fun!”

 

Bottom line.Instructors try to create a party-like atmosphere, which can be less intimidating for novices. It’s all about getting the body moving and the heart rate going. There’s a lot of repetition, so the moves become familiar and participants can pick them up quickly. Having experienced the powerful and empowering potential of Zumba, I know I can dance, too

 

 

 

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