What is Zumba?

 

Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance fitness class incorporating interval training and resistance exercise. The workout boosts metabolism, tones, helps with core stability and, of course, is an amazing cardio work out. It’s been cited as one of the best types of exercise you can do to burn calories. You might find you've done hundreds of squats and lunges in one class alone but are having so much fun you don't even realise!

 

Zumba's choreography and music incorporates Hip-Hop, Soca, Samba, Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Belly Dancing, Cumbia, Reggaeton, Axe and Flamenco moves and rhythms. 

 

Zumba is practised by approx 14 billion people, in 140,000 locations in 185 different countries! Part of Zumba's popularity can be explained by its adoption by many celebrities. Jennifer Lopez, Jackie Chan and Kirstie Alley are known to take Zumba classes. Other celebrity fans of Zumba include Eva LaRue, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Natalie Portman, Emma Watson, Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry, Toni Braxton, Nicky Hilton, Shakira and Wyclef Jean.

 

Zumba sessions are taught by instructors licensed by an organization called Zumba Academy. 

 

The dance fitness program was created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez during the 1990s. Beto forgot his music for an aerobics class he was teaching. He went to his car, listened to music – consisting of traditional Salsa and Merengue – and improvised a class using this non-traditional aerobics music. This obviously went down very well and after finding initial success in Colombia, he moved to the USA in 2001, where he teamed up with Co-Founder Alberto Perlman and a childhood friend, COO Alberto Aghion to form what is known as Zumba Fitness today.