*In this difficult time, azureazure is here for you. We are committed to helping both our readers and the industries that have been most impacted by the pandemic. Until the crisis is over, we will be publishing relevant content alongside our regular stories, which we hope offer you a few moments of escape. We would like to hear from you. Email us at azure@azureazure.com*
We are always looking for new ways to make our workouts more enjoyable, and break away from the usual exercise routines. Although there are countless options, Zumba, has become a fitness craze, that is taking over gyms all over America. However, now that the pandemic is taking place, this fun form of exercise is now being taught online for those who want to dance and move at home. Partner up with one of thousands instructors and join the world’s biggest dance party. Learn more about this fun and enjoyable exercise craze in this short guide by azureazure.com.
Photo: Val Thoermer / 123RF Stock Photo.
Zumba is a combination of dance, martial arts and physical exercise, not unlike aerobics. It helps improves posture and increases flexibility, agility and coordination and is said to be the only antidepressant you’ll ever need due to its fun and energetic exercises. Not only do you burn calories, but it makes you feel like you’ve discovered a hidden talent: dancing with ease to the rhythm of Latin music: salsa, mambo, cha-cha, merengue, cumbia, bhangra, and a little reggaeton. Aside from helping you stay physically fit it is also great for giving you a confidence boost and increasing your serotonin to help boost your mood.
Zumba is a combination of dance, martial arts and physical exercise, not unlike aerobics.
Alberto Pérez, a dancer/trainer from Cali, Colombia accidentally invented Zumba in the late 1990s. One day, he forgot the music for his aerobics class and played some salsa and merengue instead. That was the first Zumba class ever taught. He couldn’t have imagined the kind of success that would follow him and still has till this day.
Depending on the age and physical aptitude of the students, there are eight different levels: Gold, Toning, Aqua Zumba, Zumbatomic, Gold-Tonic, and Sentao. You can burn between 500 and 1000 calories per hour/session. Jennifer Lopez, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Emma Watson, Victoria Beckham, and Halle Berry are among the celebrities who, at some time, have followed this trend.
But we should also mention the phenomenal marketing strategy behind Zumba, which moves millions of dollars every year. Headquartered in a luxury shopping mall in Florida, Zumba Fitness, LLC., has more than 250 employees. The company’s aggressive business model yielded a growth rate of more than 750% during 2011-2013. With a presence of more than 70,000 locations in the U.S. (95 percent in gyms), the company is expected to continue growing in the coming years.
Zumba Fitness also has an exclusive line of clothing, videos and DVDs. This phenomenon can also be felt in the music business: artists like Wyclef Jean or Pitbull have adapted some of their songs to be played in Zumba classes and has really left its mark in the music and exercise industries.■
Related Articles:
Bikram yoga: the balance of body and mind and spirit
