In order to get the most out of a Zumba workout you’ve really got to put in the effort. Ultimately, I was getting a great cardio workout that was burning up a lot of energy while using my whole body. I found myself working my legs, arms, waist and abs, and the songs changed in pace which meant I was training in fast and slow intervals too. Zumba claims to be an all over body workout, and you definitely engage your entire body with the range of moves. It’s a bit of a laugh and I try to focus on releasing my inner Shakira – and hopefully achieve the abs to match. Beginners are advised to watch the instructor closely to pick up the moves, and unlike other fitness classes the instructions are mainly visual rather than vocal (except for the ‘woohoos!’ of encouragement).įor someone as uncoordinated as me, the moves are a little tricky to master at first, but it definitely gets easier as you become more familiar with them. The music starts and the instructor starts moving. Unlike many other group fitness classes there’s no need for any equipment – just pick a spot. I enter the class and take my place in the room.
#Zumba dance workout for beginners full
I’m not the greatest dancer at the best of times so I’m pretty reluctant to be shaking my booty in front of a room full of strangers – I’m usually happy on a treadmill or crosstrainer with nothing but my headphones for company. It’s at my local gym and I’ve dragged a friend along for moral support. I enter the class not quite knowing what to expect. The routines utilise interval training by combining fast and slow rhythms to optimise the amount of energy you burn, and the workout uses a variety of dance moves including salsa, mambo, samba, flamenco as well as more modern moves, including hip hop. We make a lot of noise, we sweat, we dance and we forget that we’re working hard,” he says.
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“You are having fun while your exercising. “Zumba is a fun way to exercise, it’s like a party and everyone is welcome – no age, fitness or dance level required,” says Pierre Kaldawi, instructor at Zumba Melbourne. Perez developed the program with the aim of combining fitness and fun, making exercise something to look forward to. The combination of Latin, international and dance music creates a unique party vibe. The Latin-inspired class was a success and Zumba was born! The concept first came about when Perez forgot to bring his aerobics music to a class he was teaching and had to rely on his personal collection of Latin music instead. Zumba is a dance fitness program developed by dancer and choreographer, Alberto ‘Beto’ Perez during the 1990s.
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As a result, gyms are now featuring the dance-based fitness class as a regular on their timetables.īut what exactly does it involve? Surely there’s more to losing weight than shaking your booty? I decided to take the plunge and attend a Zumba class to see what all the fuss is about. Whether it’s the late night infomercials or rhythmic beats, Zumba has earned a cult following over the past year. No matter what your reaction, there’s no denying Zumba is making a huge impact on the fitness scene.
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We’ve laughed at it, been confused by it and ultimately inspired by it.
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Alice Algie takes a closer look at this Latin-inspired fitness craze and finds out why it’s so popular Zumba is taking the fitness world by storm and is now a regular on gym timetables around the country.