What Is Zumba

What is Zumba?

Zumba has become the latest craze in dancing and fitness. There are variations everywhere that cater to people of any age. Even senior citizens can get to enjoy the programs and burn calories the fun way. It is important that you understand the concepts and principles first, so you can get the most out of the workout. Here is an introduction to Zumba.

Describing Zumba

Zumba is a program for fitness inspired primarily by Latin Dance. It was created by a dancer and choreographer from Miami, Alberto "Beto" Perez, together with a couple of entrepreneurs named Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion. There are different videos or DVDs of Zumba that can be acquired via the web site and infomercials. DVDs in the millions have successfully been sold in more than 30 countries. Today, there are more than 25,000 official Zumba instructors all around the world. It has been featured in numerous media outlets, newspapers, shows and magazines.

The Principles

According to Alberto Perez, Zumba uses the principles of resistance training and fitness interval training to enhance caloric output, overall body toning and fat burn. It is a method of combining easy dance steps with movements that sculpt the body. The program is also very fun and addictive. Zumba has worked with AFAA or Aerobic & Fitness Association of America, Can-Fit-Pro or the International Trade Show & Conference in Canada and the American Council on Exercise. It has also collaborated with several leading national fitness organizations and fitness facility chains.

Music and Inspiration

Zumba is inspired by Latin dance and music and incorporates several styles in the routine like meringue, reggaeton, pop, cumbia, mambo, salsa, salsaton, flamenco, rumba and calypso. The selections of music involve both slow and fast rhythm so dancers can tone and sculpt their body well. Zumba is very fun and highly addictive so most individuals tend to do the exercises daily, maintaining both a fit body and a happy disposition. It is unique compared to other types of dance exercises because of the variety of music selections. It is also very effective, providing you a good aerobic workout.

Zumba History

Beto Perez is a celebrity fitness trainer who discovered the concept of using Latin dances for a fitness program. The Latin-inspired fitness program originated in his native Colombia in South America during the 1990s. During one of his training days, he forgot to bring the usual aerobic tapes and was forced to use the ones in his car. Most were meringue and salsa, so he had to make do right on the spot. Afterwards, he found how fun and effective the changes were and improved the program, leading to the recent Zumba. It became the most popular at the facility.

Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion saw the potential of the program and approached Beto to bring Zumba into America and the global scene. The company was primarily based on the Zumba fitness principles and philosophy, so they began offering Zumba classes worldwide. Hundreds of thousands of videos were introduced to the US market, leading to a very huge response and the creation of more than 2000 Zumba instructors everywhere.

Infomercials and different types of advertising efforts soon followed, spreading Zumba like wildfire until it became a driving force in the fitness industry. Now, there are over 2,000 instructors with millions of people claiming the beneficial effects of the program.