With work, and other commitments in life, we find it hard to make time for fitness. Sure, going to the gym, or running in the park can get a little boring, so why not give Zumba a try instead.
You may have heard the word spreading among dance buffs around the workplace, but before you consider enrolling for a Zumba workout session, here’s a couple of things you should know about this vibrant form of exercise.
What is Zumba?
Zumba is a dance workout that’s great for toning and fitness, and instead of it trying to be overly competitive, it’s just all bout having fun. It generally involves dance and aerobic elements, incorporating choreography like hip-hop, samba, salsa, mambo, some martial arts, Bollywood and even belly dance.
Alberto “Beto” Perez (Image)
Zumba was created by Colombian dancer and choreographer, Alberto “Beto” Perez in the 90s, when one day, he forgot a tape of aerobics music for a class he was teaching. He made use of the tapes he had in his backpack which were traditional salsa and merengue music, and improvised the choreography with non-traditional aerobics music. In 2001, he moved to the United States, and teamed up with cofounder, Alberto Perlman to produce a demo reel for a line of home videos. (Source)
What Does Zumba Do?
Zumba is also known as the ‘party workout’ where the motive of fitness is all about having fun. It’s all about ‘feeling good’ and help give people the idea that fitness is not a chore, but a healthier way to get you moving and to have fun. In terms of fitness, the Zumba gets your heart pumping and increases your endurance, giving you more energy and helping you burn fat faster. The dance moves were crafted to help you work on strengthening your abs, back and hips, while giving them definition too. Dance, in general helps you tone your body, but with the combination of various dance techniques, can you imagine just what Zumba can do your body and spirit?
What Level Do I Begin?
You don’t have to have experience as a dancer to be part of a Zumba workout. The program was designed to be simple with steps made of basic moves for each rhythm, and once you’re familiar with the movement, you’ll certainly catch on in no time. There are eight different types of Zumba classes, like Zumba Fitness. Zumba Gold, Zumba Toning, Aqua Zumba, and more. They’re all catered to various levels of energy, so all you need to do is find the right class that suits your stamina. Just remember that no one is pressuring you to keep going if the lesson gets intense, so remember to work out at your own pace to avoid any injuries.
Who Can Zumba?
Just about anyone can Zumba! Just about everyone from different age, size, shapes and abilities. Celebrity fans of Zumba include Jennifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry, Natalie Portman, Emma Watson, and even Jackie Chan himself!
Where do I Zumba?
A lot of fitness centres in Malaysia offer Zumba Fitness workouts, but if you’re looking for certified classes, you can visit www.zumba.com to find the nearest fitness centres.
Alternatively, if you’re not keen on dancing in a crowd, you can always get a DVD and have a fitness party at home with your family and friends.
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