Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance and fitness program created by dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez in Colombia in the 90’s.
I had my second class last night in Clontarf with Stepping Out and have to say, it really is exercise in disguise!
It involves both dance and aerobic elements and it’s choreography incorporates hip-hop, salsa, samba, merengue, flamenco, mambo, cumbia, reggaeton, martial arts, bellydancing and bollywood. Squats and lunges also play a huge part in the routines so you really ‘feel’ you’ve had a good workout. They say you burn between 500 and 1000 calories per class. I have to say it’s more of the fun element that brings me back as it’s such a laugh and a great way to meet people if you are new to the city or area.
In the 1990s, this Perez guy forgot his tape of aerobics music for a class he was teaching. He took the tapes he had in his car—Latin salsa and merengue music—and improvised a class using this non-traditional aerobics music. After this spread across Colombia, he took the class to the US in ’99.
There are now more than 20,000 Zumba instructors in 35 countries and Zumba fever is spreading…So it’s not only me that’s been bitten by the Zumba bug…
I have 8 more classes to go and am definetely on the look-out for the next program as it really is fun, you do get fit, and it doesn’t even seem like an effort. Give it a try yourself..
nicesimplethings 
Reblogged this on inspiredweightloss.
Thanks for the re-blog x