The Zumba Craze

Zumba classes are everywhere—in health clubs, community recreation centers, and even schools and churches. Zumba draws classes of 80 or more people in gyms where other classes average 20 participants. Many aerobics classes also have fun dance-based moves to upbeat, popular music, but they have not captured the same attention as Zumba.

Introduced in 2001, Zumba is now considered the world's largest  and most successful dance-fitness program. According to the Zumba website, more than 12 million people take weekly classes in more than 110,000 locations in more than 125 countries.

Why is Zumba so popular?

Melanie Wells, a health/physical education teacher and licensed Zumba, Zumba Toning, and Zumba Gold instructor, calls the program a fitness craze that is appealing to beginning exercisers. It’s so popular, she says, because participants become addicted to the fun workout.

“The No. 1 benefit of Zumba to new exercisers is the burning of calories and thus fat. Since students are moving to the music, they don’t even feel like they are working out,” says Wells. In fact, Zumba’s motto is “ditch the workout, join the party.”
Zumba classes are different from other group fitness classes in that the instructor does not cue the movements but rather encourages a partylike atmosphere as he or she guides the class through fun dance moves choreographed to music infused with Latin beats and strong rhythms.

“Unlike any other fitness program, Zumba truly is a dance party,” says Wells. “The music sets the tone of the class, and the instructor and students add their own style.”  That dance party feeling has motivated many beginning and overweight exercisers to maintain a regular exercise program when they previously had difficulties doing so. Zumba exercisers have reported losing 10, 25, even 50 pounds or more. They report coming back simply because it’s fun and feels good. “After they feel the results, they begin to see the results,” says Wells.

Zumba continues to expand in the fitness world, unlike other exercise fads that have fizzled out less than a year after their introduction. The dance program has integrated with Curves, the popular circuit workout for women. In 2008, Zumba launched its at-home fitness DVD series starring its creator Alberto “Beto” Perez. Music CDs and Zumbawear workout clothes are available for purchase on the website. And in 2010, Zumba became the first branded fitness program to launch a video game on all three major gaming platforms: Wii, Xbox, and PS3. Now, six Zumba fitness programs are available:

• Zumba: High-energy dance fitness moves set to high-energy Latin and international music.

• Zumba Toning: A class that combines targeted body-sculpting exercises with a lightweight toning stick and high-energy cardio dance moves.

• Zumba Gold: A class modified to a slower pace for the active older adult, the baby boomer generation, and for beginning exercisers. Zumba Gold Toning is also offered.

• Aqua Zumba: A “pool party” that involves Zumba moves and music performed in a shallow-water pool, the traditional aqua-aerobics setting.

• Zumbatomic: A class designed exclusively for kids ages 4 to 12. 

• Zumba in the Circuit: Integrated with the Curves circuit workout, participants perform Zumba moves in between the circuit strength stations.

Although there seems to be a Zumba class for everyone, this trend may not be for everyone. Some participants feel self-conscious and uncoordinated when they take their first class and may be discouraged by more experienced participants, especially if the class is in a room with mirrors. Advanced exercisers and athletes may not achieve the intensity they desire in a Zumba class. But, if you like to dance and enjoy music, whatever your fitness level, Zumba is definitely worth a try. 
 
— Jennifer Van Pelt, MA, CWE, CWC

back to top »