Fitness is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, and there are many ways to achieve it. Dance-based workouts have become popular fitness options, which are fun and engaging ways to get into shape. Zumba dance is one such workout that has gained popularity in recent years, offering a high-energy and rhythmic exercise experience. Let's dive into the history, benefits, and risks of the Zumba dance.
What is Zumba Dance?
Zumba dance involves interval workouts. The high/low-intensity dance moves can boost cardiovascular fitness while also improving balance, coordination, and agility of the body. Additionally, beginners can benefit from the choreography as it contributes to a moderate level of strength training.
The Zumba class doesn't require any prior dancing experience. However, individuals with a natural sense of rhythm can learn dance moves and workouts more easily. Zumba classes primarily feature Latin-inspired music with a slow warm-up song that gradually increases in intensity throughout the class, followed by a cool-down song. The repetitive nature of the choreography makes it easy to pick up, even for those with limited dancing skills.
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Usually, a Zumba class doesn't have a competitive environment like regular dance training classes, so the participants can enjoy the workouts and relax.
History of Zumba Dance
Alberto “Beto” Perez, a fitness instructor and choreographer, created Zumba in the mid-1990s. The official Zumba website describes the genesis of this exercise phenomenon as a “happy accident.” One day Beto forgot his regular music while teaching an aerobics class. He had to improvise. So, Beto used Latin dance music (salsa and merengue) tapes that he had with him. It led to a class that mixed dance and aerobics in a fun and engaging way, without strict rep-counting. After that Beto started to integrate music and dancing into his other classes and called it "Rumbacize".
Zumba gained popularity day by day. In 2001, Beto brought it to Miami, where he connected with two other individuals. The trio created a fitness video series. The term “Zumba” was coined for its similarity to the term "rumba", which refers to the Cuban musical genre. However, the dance form was called “Sumba” for some days.
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Insight Venture Partners and the Raine Group invested in 2012 for expanding Zumba into class instruction. By 2015, there were about 14 million Zumba students in 186 countries.
Benefits of Zumba Dance
Diversity and Accessibility
Zumba's versatility as a workout program, coupled with its extensive availability and wide range of class styles, makes it a suitable option for almost everyone, regardless of their fitness level and interests.
For instance, if someone loves swimming, he or she can go for Aqua Zumba classes which are offered by some swimming pools. Besides these, Zumba classes are also available in some public parks where visitors can participate.
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General Fitness
As Zumba continues to remain popular, several studies have been conducted to examine its effectiveness. A 2016 literature review concluded that Zumba is an effective workout for improving cardiovascular fitness, with some limited evidence suggesting possible benefits for muscular fitness and flexibility.
Sustainability
Consistency is key when it comes to exercise, and a program that is enjoyable is more likely to be adhered to. Therefore, it's important to find a workout that is both effective and enjoyable. According to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, Zumba has good feasibility and adherence, making it a sustainable program for sedentary adults with metabolic syndrome. This suggests that Zumba can be an effective and enjoyable way to achieve long-term fitness goals.
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