Zumba tends to attract a mostly female crowd, but everyone is welcome. And since the choreography is more or less accessible even to those with "two left feet", in its popularity from 2005 to 2015, people of all ages and dancing abilities come to the lessons, especially in the high season. As a result, the brand has added several programs to make the classes and choreography more accessible to people of all ages, genders and fitness levels. Classes include:
Aqua Zumba: Perfect for those with lower extremity injuries or needing a low-impact workout, Aqua Zumba brings the frenzy of Latin dancing into the pool.
Zumba Gold: This modified version of the standard Zumba class is aimed at an older audience who want the same fun music and style as a traditional class, but at a lower intensity.
Zumba Kids: Designed for kids ages 7 to 11, Zumba Kids tweaks and breaks down traditional Zumba moves, then adds games and activities to the class to keep kids engaged and engaged while they sweat.
Zumba Kids Jr.: Similar to Zumba Kids, Zumba Kids Jr. tailored for a 4 to 6 year old audience and positioned more like a "dance party" to keep that age group "on task".
Zumba Step: The same Latin-inspired dance choreography, but with the addition of an aerobic step to increase the intensity of the workout and add more leg movement through repeated stepping and standing.
Zumbini: This 45-minute class once a week is designed for the smallest Zumba fans between the ages of 0 and 3; young children and their caregivers meet to connect with music and engage in active age-appropriate play; thinking is less of an "exercise" and more of a "learning experience."
Strong by Zumba: High-intensity bodyweight exercise with movements choreographed to the beat of music; Push-ups, squats, burpees, and lunges are the staples of this routine Zumba Gold-Toning: Similar to Zumba Toning, but at a lower intensity level designed for a slightly older audience
Zumba In Circuit: Designed as a circuit, alternating between Zumba dance moves and strength training for a full body workout designed to improve cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength.
Zumba Sentao: Uses a chair as a "dance partner" to focus on core strength without the use of weights.
Zumba Toning: Involves the use of Zumba Toning Sticks (or light weights) to add an element of strength training to familiar Zumba dance moves.
How does it work
Almost all Zumba brand classes are designed as 45- to 60-minute group exercises led by a certified Zumba instructor. It is usually offered at gyms and fitness centers, although Zumba instructors are welcome to book their own classes and hold workouts in parks, schools or other locations.
Benifits
Zumba is a safe, fun and effective exercise for most people who want to improve their cardiovascular fitness through dance. There are some drawbacks to the program, general precautions you should be aware of when starting a new workout.
Accessibility
Fun and entertaining
General health
High energy
Low cost
Keep moving forward
benefits of a Zumba class from the physical to the practical aspects. Accessibility Due to the wide availability of the program and variety of class styles, Zumba as a brand is quite flexible and suitable for almost all fitness levels and interests. Even if your local gym doesn't offer Zumba classes, you may find that a nearby pool offers Aqua Zumba or an independent instructor offers classes with a paid structure nearby. Total strength Due to the continued popularity of Zumba, many studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of the exercise. A 2016 review of the literature found that Zumba is effective in improving aerobic capacity (cardiovascular fitness), while limited other evidence points to possible improvements in muscular fitness and flexibility.
1 Keep moving forward One of the most important factors in exercise is persistence—continuing an exercise program after starting it. In general, the more fun a program is, the more motivated you will be to continue with it. And the more consistent you are with the program, the more likely you are to experience positive results. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that a Zumba intervention in sedentary adults with metabolic syndrome "demonstrated good feasibility and compliance," suggesting overall positive retention in the program.
2 All health programs, regardless of type, have their own risk. You could strain a muscle, twist your ankle, or fall. If you do it too early, you may risk too much soreness or overtraining symptoms. As such, the Zumba brand has gone out of its way to develop programs designed for all types of audiences and age levels, offering varying levels of intensity and challenge to reduce the risk of potential injury. If you're new to exercise, you might want to start with an Aqua Zumba or Zumba Gold class instead of diving into a traditional Zumba class or a more intense Zumba Step class. A small study published in the Hawai'i Journal of Medicine & Public Health found that nearly one in four Zumba participants had minor injuries, especially to the ankle, knee or shoulder, as a result of the program.
3 The factor most associated with injury was the number of lessons per week. Those who took more classes (an average of 3.8 per week versus 2.7 per week) were more likely to be injured. The important thing to remember is to ease into the program and listen to your body, rest when you need it. Limitations Zumba has very few restrictions on age, ability level or medical condition. This is partly due to the effortless style of dance moves included in the program and partly due to the availability of customized class structures such as Zumba Gold, Zumba Kids and Aqua Zumba. For people with known lower extremity injuries, a traditional Zumba class may not be suitable, but Aqua Zumba, which reduces the impact on the joints, may be a viable option. Energy and general health While almost any sustained exercise program can help improve mood, confidence, and energy, Zumba has several peer-reviewed studies that point to the program's psychological benefits. In other words, a 2016 study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that healthy women who participated in an 8-week Zumba program experienced positive changes in perception. physical strength, autonomy and meaning in life, which improves their overall sense of health and well-being.
Zumba is one of the most popular fitness organizations in the world with over 200,000 classes in 180 countries. And while the brand is best known for its signature "Zumba" Latin American fitness dance, the company offers several other workout formats, from strength training to kids' fitness classes and even water aerobics classes. Each workout includes highly choreographed moves set to enhance salsa and international music. In fact, Zumba is a fun, high-energy workout experience that will keep you enjoying your workout and coming back for more.
The original Zumba class
The most famous and popular Zumba program is the Zumba class of the same name. This dance class features high- and low-intensity intervals that help improve cardiovascular fitness while developing balance, coordination, agility, and some strength with choreography accessible to beginners. Classes usually consist of Latin-inspired songs, starting with a slow warm-up song, increasing the intensity during the workout, and ending with a cool-down song. Even if you're not a strong dancer, the choreography is repetitive and designed to build, so most people will be mesmerized by the moves as they go. The great appeal of Zumba is that almost anyone can do it, and no matter how quickly you pick up the choreography, you're likely to have fun—and a sweat. No special equipment or clothing is required either. All you need is a positive attitude and keep going through every song.
Overview
Zumba was officially founded in the United States in 2001 by Alberto "Beto" Perez, a Colombian dancer who started a fitness class in his native country in the 1990s. Perez's "rags to riches" story can be considered a fluke - he was teaching aerobics at his local gym when he realized he had forgotten his usual music. When Perez didn't have time for his tunes, he used some of his favorite Latin American dances, and a new class was born.
It became so popular among people in Colombia that pop star Shakira asked him to help choreograph some of his music. In 2000, Perez decided to launch his fitness class in the United States. In 2001, he teamed up with two investors and released a series of three Zumba DVDs available via infomercial. Although the class was not an overnight success, it gained significant momentum and in 2012 received further investment and expansion to include additional class formats, Zumba cruises, Zumba vacations, and a wide variety of teacher training programs.
The concept of dance fitness wasn't new when Zumba became popular, but the energetic fun of its classes was. Plus, Zumba is well-timed. In the early 2000s, large fitness centers like 24 Hour Fitness and Lifetime Fitness popped up everywhere, often including group fitness classes as a membership benefit. These gyms are looking for unique classes to add to their clubs' draw. At the same time, it increasingly focuses on the concept of "fitness as fun" to keep members engaged and engaged.
Zumba meets these needs and is increasingly being chosen as a regular class offering across the country. As Zumba grows in popularity, it is often a driver of membership and membership retention, making it a win-win for all involved.
