Zumba: Fitness for Health and Happiness

What is Zumba?

Let’s start from the source, Zumba.com. This definition comes word-for-word from the website:

• Perfect For: Everybody and every body! Each Zumba class is designed to bring people together to sweat it on.

• How it Works: We take the “work” out of workout, by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. Once the Latin and World rhythms take over, you’ll see why Zumba  Fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise. Super effective? Check. Super fun? Check and check.

• Benefits: A total workout, combining all elements of fitness—cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility, boosted energy and a serious dose of awesome each time you leave a class.

This sums it up pretty perfectly! It’s a class designed to help you forget you’re getting that workout in! Lucky for you, they offer many different formats to fit everyone’s needs…so no excuses! Just kidding. But only a little…

Here are a couple more formats offered. One of these (at the very least) is bound to get your heart rate going, get you sweating and having the best time!

• Zumba Toning – Using toning sticks for resistance

• Zumba Step – Using a step bench for toning and strengthening power

• Aqua Zumba  – Zumba in the water!

• Zumba  Gold – Modified format for active older adults

• Zumba  Sentao – Using a chair for strength and resistance

• Zumba  Kids + Kids Jr. – Just as it sounds…Zumba for kids!

• Strong by Zumba – This is a newer format that does NOT cater to the classic Zumba format, but rather a class with a HIIT format made by the creators of Zumba

Like I said above, Zumba provides many opportunities to give it a try! You can find most of these classes offered at your local gym. There are so many facilities around that offer multiple formats within their Group Exercise programs. Some of them (around these parts of Wisconsin) include Xperience Fitness, YMCA, Wisconsin Athletic Club, Princeton Club, Blast! Fitness, other smaller, family-owned clubs and etc. Go check out the Group Ex schedules next time you make a trip to your gym!

The Stigma

Of course, everyone has their own thoughts about what Zumba is and its validity in the fitness world. Many people don’t go to Zumba classes because of what others say…and those other people haven’t even taken a class themselves! I’ve been licensed to teach Zumba for about 3 years now, so I might be a little biased, but as the saying goes… Don’t knock it until you try it! Here are a few things I hear ALL the time that stop people from walking into the studio…

“I can’t dance.” – Okay, first of all, this isn’t a dance class! It is not a requirement to know how to dance or to have any technical skill. You don’t need to learn choreography or even know what salsa, reggaetón or cumbia is all about. You know that little groove bug that creeps up when you hear your favorite song in the car, at a party, a restaurant, on a run or walk, or with your friends/family? Bring those moves to class…that’s all you need! Feel your groove! The point is that you’re moving, sweating and burning calories, no matter what direction you’re going or if you’re up when everyone else is down. However your body jives with the music is how you should be doing it! Like Zumba says in the picture above, let it (the music, class, environment, instructor, etc) move you!

“I’m so uncoordinated.” – Just like any format for any fitness class, you cannot be an expert at the start. The more you attend, the stronger you will get, the more you will learn the movements and choreography and the easier it will become! The beauty of Zumba Fitness is that we, as instructors, all get to show our own flair, while still keeping the integrity of the format. That means you can bring out whatever flair you have, as well! It takes a little while to adjust to the rhythms and pace of the class, and that’s OKAY! You’ll get there. That being said, everyone will learn differently with each, individual instructor. So, it’s important to keep your head up and focus on having fun with whatever music is playing and whoever is teaching. It’s fun to be different and let loose! If you are there, trying and moving…you’re doing it RIGHT!

“I’m embarrassed. I don’t know what I’m doing.” Or “I don’t want to mess up.” –
Ummm hey… remember me at the front and center of the class? Oh hey, yeah! I’m up here for YOU. No one else is looking at or judging you, even if it may seem that way. I always tell students at the beginning of class that everyone is looking at ME the entire 60 minutes. And if they aren’t looking at me, they’re looking at themselves in the mirror. It’s true! You came here for you—no matter the reason—and so did everyone else (for themselves). On that second quote, there are many instances when I don’t remember what I’m doing. I’m up there and make mistakes in front of an entire group of people all the time! We are human. Get up, move on and have FUN all the while. I tend to poke fun at myself during class when I make mistakes. We laugh, we smile, we carry on and we still get that workout in. Nobody remembers those small hiccups. They come back for all of the great moments full of laughter and feeling. So, don’t you worry about a thing!

“Zumba isn’t really a workout.” – Says someone who’s never been! I get that new fitness formats can be intimidating or seem out of your element, but like they say… You never know unless you try! And believe me, you’ll check those statements right after you walk out of your first class drenched in sweat and smiling from ear to ear. To start, just go ahead and do a little google search on weight loss, mental health and/or just Zumba stories/journeys. I think Zumba.com might have a few stories, too. You will see the impact this format has had on many people’s lives! Zumba is a fitness program that has proven results! Proven by the thousands of people whose testimonies live online and on their lips. There are so many extraordinary journeys that detail weight loss, give credit for boost of confidence, self-care and a happy and healthy life style. As an instructor, I am so lucky to hear of and be a part of many students’ and other instructors’ stories! I became an instructor because of the impact it could have on the students, as well as my passion for this program. There are a lot of misconceptions about Zumba… the format, the music, the fitness aspect and more. But truly, you don’t really know what it entails or how great it feels until you muster up the courage to go give it a whirl! Nothing can be everyone’s cup of tea, but those of us who’s cup is full of it knows it brings all the feels!

Zumba love

You know what Zumba is all about, now it’s time for the experience! Zumba is not just about working out but more about enjoying yourself in that happy place. We forget our worries and distractions in that hour and let go of our inner struggles. It clears our minds and gives us a new perspective.

Everyone wants to feel included and to take part in something bigger and there are always chances to do this with Zumba! Not only during regular classes, but you can also participate in community outreach events. The Zumba community helps raise money for so many charities and important causes happening all around the world, all the time. Whether it be for one person going through a rough patch in your area or a natural disaster occurring in a different country. We all come together as often as we can to dance and put forth great effort to improve the lives of others. And it might not seem like it but being a fitness instructor really does change/improve the lives of others!

You’ve probably experienced it yourself, without realizing. Those instructors that inspire you to push yourself. The ones that encourage you to do your best and to go after those goals, one thousand percent. The ones you go back to every, single week! Yeah! These people spend so much time and energy practicing and hustling to give you their best, so you can do your best. I’ve been a licensed Zumba Instructor for almost 3 years and anyone who knows me, knows it has been a dream. I didn’t know it back then, but it become such a passion. Learning all of this information made me a true advocate! Zumba brings me such happiness and it is where I can be my best self.

This time I take for myself is an investment I make for my mental and physical health, which translates directly to my family, personal life and to my students. Zumba encourages to love one another, lifting each other up with no judgement. I’m not the only one who considers classes their happy place! From my personal experience, it has been nothing but pure joy and inspires me to be a better person.

Don’t you want to be a part of something that promotes such health and happiness!?!? If this doesn’t get you online searching for a Zumba class near you, just consider these reiterations:

• A great workout you don’t notice that is a workout… check.
• A workout that lifts your spirits and lets in all of the good energy… check.
• An experience that lets you reset, recharge and where your face gets stuck on smile-mode… CHECK. 🙂

Okay so now you need help getting some Zumba in your life? Don’t worry, I got ya.
Visit www.zumba.com/party/nearME to find classes near you!

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Heather D’Amato