The fitness hype called Zumba

Zumba is a combination of fitness, aerobics and dance. The music that is used for Zumba is mostly Latin-American (salsa, merengue, rumba, cumbia, flamenco, etc.) but other types of music like hip hop and reggae are used as well. The name Zumba means 'move fast and have fun.' The official Zumba slogan is "Join the Party!"

The goal of Zumba

The goal is to make working out more fun by combining dance and fitness. All muscle groups are used during a Zumba class. Because it feels like you're dancing, you won't even notice you've had a good workout. American scientist calculated that you can burn up to 1000 calories during a Zumba workout.

History

Zumba was developed in the 90s by Alberto "Beto" Perez, a dancer, choreographer and aerobics instructor in Colombia. Once when he forgot to bring his aerobics music to class, he used the music he happened to have with him that day: Latin-American music. He improvised the whole class. His students loved it and this new type of workout became the most popular in his gym. 

When Zumba became successful in Colombia, Perez moved to Miami in 1999 to extend his success even further. He registered Zumba as a trademark and started a business, Zumba Fitness LLC. In 2002, he and his business partner Alberto Perlman started broadcasting commercials on American television, which led to a Zumba hype. Millions of Zumba videos were sold and there was an increasing demand for Zumba instructors. Perez and Perlman set up an official training proram for instructors: the Zumba Academy. Because Zumba is an official trademark, instructors need to obtain a licence to teach Zumba. The training program is available in several countries around the world.

Zumba hype

Zumba classes are being offered on 50,000 locations in 75 countries and can therefore be called a hype. Six million people world wide attend their weekly Zumba classes. DVDs are available on the official Zumba website, so people can do their Zumba workout at home as well. Additionally, official Zumba sportswear (shirts, pants, shoes, bags, etc.) and Zumba CDs are available on the website. Other merchandise include books, key chains and umbrellas.

Zumba training program

The Zumba training program consists of the following levels:

• Zumba Basic Steps Level 1: the very basic education for instructors-to-be.
• Zumba Basic Steps Level 2: the next level, expansion of level 1.
• Zumba Gold: This level teaches future instructors how to teach elderly people or absolute beginners who are not in good health.
• Zumba Toning: This level teaches future instructors to put more emphasis on fitness. In this class, weighted Zumba Toning Sticks are used.
• Aqua Zumba: the “pool party for all ages.” Instructors learn how to teach safe, effective and challenging water-based workouts that integrate the Zumba formula and philosophy into traditional aqua fitness disciplines*.
• Zumbatomatic: This program focuses on teaching kids. Instructors learn more about discipline and class management and how to adjust exercises to make them suitable for kids.

Sources: www.todio.nl