Physical fitness has grown up and matured into an inviting range of activities available for us to become and stay fit and healthy. New on the Townsville fitness scene is ZUMBA®. This is an aerobic fitness program that makes use of a wide variety of dance fitness moves, all done to rhythmic Latin music. The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to give you a great aerobic workout while burning fat, increasing flexibility and toning and sculpting your body. Your heart will be stimulated to pump more blood which will improve your physical endurance. You’ll feel energized, and have a higher degree of self confidence.
ZUMBA® was created by a man named "Beto" Perez. He stumbled upon the concept of Latin inspired dance fitness in his native Cali, Colombia in the mid ‘90s. One day, he forgot to bring his aerobics music to a class. So he grabbed the tapes he had with him which comprised of the traditional Latin salsa and Merengue music and songs he loved and listened to all his life. But it was a challenge to improvise a whole class on the spot using non traditional aerobics music. However, from this last minute improvisation, a revolutionary new concept in fitness was born – the ZUMBA® Fitness-Party™! The class soon became the most popular class at his fitness facility.
ZUMBA® classes are between 45 and 60 minutes long, and there are between 8 and 10 routines per class. Almost everybody can participate and it is really easy to follow. Always check with your medical practitioner before starting any form of exercise. Latin music and moves are from salsa, merengue, cha cha, reggaeton, cumbia, calypso, quebradita, hip hop and belly dancing.
I went to a few classes and found that it was a lot of fun, loved the music and I was getting a great workout. The hour was over before I knew it. Plus all the grinning and laughter of the other participants enjoying the class put me at ease and I was able to laugh at my own mistakes. The classes were a breath of fresh air in my weekly fitness schedule. I got so much out of it that I recently became a ZUMBA® instructor. Instructors are trained by ZUMBA® Education Specialists (ZES). I was lucky to be trained by ZES Jaime Farfan. He originates from Columbia and is based in Canada.
Let's face it, we are striving to be healthier and get more out of life. What other exercise is there that gets you fit and healthy and you get to laugh and learn some great dance moves, moves that you will see men and women doing in a Latin dance club. So now there are no excuses for saying that you have two left feet, or no rhythm, or it’s just for girls.
Time to ‘Ditch the workout. Join the party!’
