Are you tired of the same old exercise routine? Exercise is essential to keep you fit, but sometimes it can get boring. You go jogging in the morning in the same park or take the same aerobic classes. It seems that exercise is another ‘job’ that you must do every day. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can try Zumba --- a new form of exercise that is more like a party than a routine workout. So, what type of exercise is Zumba? Zumba is the same as dancing at a nightclub, only this time you are going to dance at home or in Zumba classes.
What type of exercise is Zumba?
Zumba focuses on improving your strength and flexibility. It is a mixed dance form of salsa, merengue, samba, and mambo. In the beginning, people used to dance on Latin numbers. But now people dance on any latest song. Zumba was invented accidentally by a fitness trainer in Columbia in the 90s. He forgot to bring his usual songs for aerobic exercise to the class and so picked up some Latin albums from his car and danced like the way he dances at a nightclub. The students seemed to enjoy it really, and so he continued doing such classes.
Now Zumba is popular all over the world. You don’t need to be a good dancer to do Zumba. All you need to do is move your feet and sway your arms. The primary objective of Zumba is to enjoy the workout.
Preparation
Unlike other types of exercise, Zumba has its dress code. There is Zumba pants or jazz pants and tank tops with Zumba’s logo on it. Many people prefer cropped cotton leggings as well. The tank top and pant must be comfortable so that you can move around easily. It should also be able to handle sweat. The essential part of your attire is proper shoes for Zumba. You can choose dance sneakers, cross trainers or running shoes. Different running shoe brands include Adidas, Nike, ASICS, etc.
The type of shoe you should buy depends on your fitness level. That way you will know how much shock absorption and support you need. The shoes must be breathable. You can get different colored shoes on the market. A good pair of shoes will give you an more enjoyable experience.
Benefits of Zumba
A 40-minute Zumba class can burn about 370 calories. This is the same amount of calorie you would burn if you biked for 40 minutes at 15 miles per hour or tried cardio kickboxing or aerobics. Zumba is often called the ‘exercise in disguise.’ It is appealing to people who do not like to exercise. Zumba has many health benefits. According to a study it is found that it can improve the health condition of people suffering from Type 2 Diabetes or obesity. People enjoy Zumba, and so they do it regularly.
Zumba includes stomach-gyrating and hip-swinging movements. These help to increase core and trunk strength. People who are overweight will get better balance by practicing Zumba. Older people, who find it difficult to run or do intense workouts, feel comfortable doing Zumba.
There are many mental benefits associated with Zumba. It can increase self-esteem, and people feel independent. This is because Zumba is a group class and you have to let yourself dance freely in front of other people. The shyness and self-consciousness about one’s own body go away. The overall quality of life improves because of Zumba.
So, if you are stuck with your old exercise routine and want to try out something more fun, you should join Zumba classes today. You will find many experienced trainers, and most of the fitness clubs now have Zumba sessions.
There are many types of Zumba classes, and you can join one according to your need. You can choose from Zumba Toning, Zumba Steps, Aqua Zumba, Zumba Sentao, Zumba Gold, etc. There are special Zumba classes for the children as well. Enroll in a Zumba class and inspire others to do so as well. It’s a great way to keep your body in shape and reduce weight. As an extra benefit, you will be able to make lots of new friends as well.
