by Megan Fee and Macy Crowe
Culture Editor and People Editor
The dreaded weekly workouts at the gym no longer have to be boring! You no longer have to make up a million excuses for not going to work out. Zumba is a fun and easy way to get your heart rate up and burn calories.
Zumba combines hypnotic Latin rhythms with easy-to-learn dance moves. The slow and fast rhythms create a fun beat to tone your body. This style of workout combines cardio intervals with resistance training to create the most optimal fitness option. Sophomore Katie Tedford said, “I get a bigger workout from half an hour of Zumba than I do from hours of playing tennis, and I love it!”
As of this year, Zumba has spread to 40,000 locations in 75 countries. Alberto “Berto” Perez, a dancer and choreographer, brought Zumba to the United States in 1999, and this class has flourished ever since. Zumba dance moves combine steps from cumbia, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, hip hop, mambo, rumba, flamenco, calypso, and Salsaton.
This weekend, I took a friend to a Zumba class and after five minutes we were already sweating. We stepped into the class and stood in a good spot where we could see the instructor. The instructor walked to the front, turned up the music, and immediately started doing the steps, which often involve swaying your hips, jumping, and quick steps with your feet. The dances are not explained, but it is easy to catch on and after three minutes everyone in the class is synchronized. We were no doubt the youngest ones in the class, but be warned: the older women can dance. When doing the dance moves, it does not even feel like a workout besides the occasional muscle burning that proves you are losing calories. In order to truly enjoy the Zumba experience, you have to put 100 percent into all the moves, and can’t be afraid of embarrassing yourself.
Zumba works many of the muscles in your body that normal workouts do not reach. The unique dance moves are able to tone these parts of your body, and it has become a popular and easy way to work out. Now you no longer have to settle for your boring routine at the gym! Zumba can help you get in shape while having fun!