As you walk through the gym, you hear reggae music playing and decide to take a peek into the group fitness room to see what’s going on. You see a group of men and women dancing, laughing and dripping in sweat. It’s a Zumba class!
Once a popular exercise trend that took over every gym and living room, the number of people taking Zumba classes has been diminished significantly in the last few years. We love the physical and mental benefits of Zumba, so we want to keep the spirit alive.
These are five reasons we shouldn’t forget about Zumba.
In a study carried out by John Porcari and Mary Luettgen from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, it was found that Zumba is an effective workout. “It’s a total-body exercise – a good, high-energy aerobic workout,” said Porcari. Dancing to upbeat music, participants lose calories and strengthen the body.
“Zumba fitness is also good for core strengthening and flexibility gains because there are lots of hip and midsection movements,” Porcari continued. If you’re worried that taking a Zumba class will be ineffective, think again!
When you mess up during a Zumba class, you can just laugh it off and hit that step correctly the next time around. You’ll feel good just for putting yourself out there and trying your hardest. Plus, you are sure to experience a boost in your mood every time you walk out of the room knowing you put in a good workout.
This is what really makes this intense workout fun. Zumba was created to mix having fun with calorie-burning. You’re sure to have a satisfying workout, whether you’re with a group of men and women at the gym or alone in living room. You might forget that you are actually in a workout class and think you’re at a club dancing with your friends.
There is no age limit when it comes to Zumba. In addition, there’s also no dance training needed before you take a class. Zumba has 13 different class types and levels, including Aqua Zumba for in the pool. Find one that suits you!
Zumba requires a lot of mental focus if you want to hit the moves on the right beats. According to Wellness Today, “Keeping up with the steps is easy once you get the hang of it, but learning the sequences and coordinating your body movements to match the instructor definitely takes some mental stretching in the beginning.”
Zumba is an awesome way to mix fun with a total-body workout. If you’re interested in finding a Zumba class or event near you, visit the Zumba website. You can even order instructional DVDs if you want to work out from the comfort of your own home.
