ZUMBA Frequently Asked Questions
Copyright © 2008 LIFE & FOOD WELLNESS
What is Zumba?
Lets face it, working out can be healthy, rewarding, beneficial working out can be lots of things, but it's never been known to be much fun UNTIL NOW!
Zumba® fuses hypnotic latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exhilarating hour of caloric-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!
The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms, and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you've got Zumba®!
In the past years Zumba® has become nothing short of a revolution. Coining the concept of fitness-party™ and making fitness fun, Zumba® has spread like wild-fire, and has positioned itself as the single most influential movement in the industry of fitness.
Where did Zumba come from?
Celebrity fitness trainer, "Beto" Perez, stumbled upon the concept of Latin inspired fitness in his native country of Colombia (South America) in the mid 1990's. One day, he walked into his class and realized that he had forgotten his aerobics music, and his only option was to grab whatever tapes he had in his car. Beto's tapes were comprised of the songs that he loved, the traditional Latin salsa and merengue music with which he had been raised. But it was a challenge to improvise a whole class on the spot using non-traditional aerobics music. Beto rose to the challenge and from this last-minute improvisation was born a revolutionary fitness program – Zumba®! The class soon became the most popular class at his fitness facility.
In 1999, after his success in Colombia, Beto brought the class to the United States, where he was approached by entrepreneurs Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion to create a global company based on the Zumba® fitness philosophy. The three young entrepreneurs then set a goal to offer Zumba® classes all over the world.
What does Zumba mean? Back to top
The name Zumba is derived from a Colombian word meaning to move fast and have fun.
How is Zumba different from other dance or aerobic classes? Back to top
Zumba involves dance and aerobic elements. Unlike a typical dance class where counts are used, Zumba is all about following the music with repetitive movements. You never have to worry about keeping counts in your head. Zumba however is not entirely 'dance' since cardio moves like squats, lunges, and such are incorporated to provide a full body workout.
How long is a class? Back to top
A Zumba class is 60 minutes long that includes a warm up, high and low intensity routines, followed by a cool down. Unlike most workouts, you won't be staring at the clock praying for the class to be over. You'll have such a good time, this class will fly by.
Do I need to know how to dance to do Zumba? Back to top
Absolutely not. The only requirements are that you're human and you can breathe. :) Seriously, anyone can Zumba regardless if you have two left feet or were denied the rhythm gene.
What should I bring/wear to class? Back to top
Wear something comfortable that you can move around in. Think sweat pants, dance pants, t-shirts, tanks tops, whatever you can get down in. Be sure you're wearing comfortable sneakers or dance shoes that you can easily move around in otherwise you can hurt yourself. And who wants that? I also recommend bringing water because you will sweat. And perhaps a mini towel if you prefer to help wipe away the sweat.
How many calories will I burn during a Zumba class? Back to top
It is very difficult to estimate the number of calories burned during a Zumba Class, because it depends on you, your body type, your body composition, the intensity, and the range of motion that you use with each workout. For example in one Zumba class, one participant could burn 500 calories, while another participant burns 1000 calories. We recommend monitoring how you feel and compare it to other activities that you do that have "calories burned" associated with it and then estimate accordingly.
Are all Zumba classes the same? Back to top
Yes and no. All Zumba classes follow a general structure of mostly latin dancing and a specific formula for choreography but as far as the routines and moves, that will vary depending on the instructor. Also depending on the instructor's background, the Zumba class might have more aerobic moves vs. dance moves, and vice versa. I am a dance aficionado, so you'll find the classes I teach will be very dance inspired. When it comes to anything in life, find an instructor and a class you vibe with.
What kind of music is played during Zumba? Back to top
Mostly latin songs representing various dance styles like salsa, merengue, reggaeton, bachata, tango, cumbia, etc. There's a little bit of international rhythms included like african, indian, belly dancing, hip hop, and so forth. In conclusion, the music is just so darn good:)
