A session of Zumba, a cardio-dance routine, can feel like a trip to the nightclub of a cruise ship, where a well-toned crew member teaches you to wiggle your hips and do the fast footwork for a mix of dance styles to the thump of loud music. While Zumba crowds are not plied with alcohol, people often throw away inhibitions — they pump their arms, applaud, let out “yeahs” — as they work out.
- The New York Times
History
Zumba is a dance fitness program created in the late 1990’s by dancer and choreographer Beto Perez (Columbia South America). Music is the key ingredient to Zumba classes. The score created with specific beats and tempo changes that transition the workout from one toning strengthening or cardio move to another and targets every major muscle group in the body. The Zumba program borrows Latin flavor from Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Flamenco, Chachacha, Reggaeton, Samba, Belly Dancing, Bhangra, Hip Hop and Tango.
Zumba classes are offered through licensed instructors in more than 60,000 fitness center locations in 105 countries and seven-and-a-half million participants.