Hip-swiveling dance moves matched to upbeat Latin music will add fun to your fitness routine.
By Leslie Pepper
Photos by Kim Cornelison
Latin fever is sweeping America—and now it’s reaching the gyms. The latest fitness craze? Zumba (ZOOM-ba). Derived from a Colombian word meaning “to move fast and have fun,” Zumba is like doing an aerobics workout in a South Beach nightclub. It all started when Alberto “Beto” Perez, then an aerobics instructor in Colombia, forgot the music for his class. He dug through his gym bag, came out with a Latin tape, and improvised. His ad-lib eventually morphed into Zumba, incorporating the rhythms of the Caribbean, including salsa, merengue, flamenco, and rumba. Today there are more than 1,000 certified Zumba instructors across the United States (go to www.zumba.com to find one in your area).
What’s so great about zumba?
Zumba gives you an effective, low-impact cardiovascular workout. The music goes from moderate to fast to slow, and back to fast again, so anyone can keep up with the pace. Because the moves are loaded with variations, beginners can easily follow along. You can burn up to 450 calories an hour and get a toning workout as well. Best of all, you’re dancing to great music, so you won’t even realize it’s good for you.
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