Posts Tagged by Zumba
Zumba Workouts – Another Way to Stay Fit
| March 19, 2011 | Filled under Zumba Fitness |
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Although millions of individuals have successfully experienced the fun and fitness benefits of Zumba, there are still a lot who want to find out more. Zumba is very unique compared to other dance-inspired fitness programs, in the sense that it provides rich history, an exhilarating experience and the best moves that truly give you that calorie burn.
What is Zumba?
Zumba incorporates both hypnotic Latin music and easy-to-do moves that lead to a dynamic and effective workout program that will help you de-stress, have the greatest time and burn fat. The goal is to give individuals an entertaining time so they can consistently stick to a program and reach their health and fitness goals. Zumba fanatics get to have the long term benefits of the dance and exercise by doing body-energizing and muscle-pumping movements that are also very addictive.
The routines include interval training sessions that use both slow and fast rhythms, plus resistance training to sculpt and tone the body for effective fat loss. International zest and Latin inspirations are also included in the program for uniqueness. During the past few years, Zumba has become a revolution, giving the impression that getting fit can be fun. In February 2008, the program has grown to having more than 11,000 certified instructors in 35 countries and has sold more than 3 million DVDs, changing the lives of more than 2 million individuals.
Is There a Special Attire?
There is no special attire required for Zumba. Ideally, you should wear only comfortable and breathable workout clothes. Dance sneakers and gym or tennis shoes are good for classes. You have to be careful in choosing to wear track shoes since these limit your movement from side to side. Depending on your skills, you may also wear other types of clothes. Some people enjoy flaunting Latin dresses for a more formal approach.
What Does Zumba Offer?
Zumba has aligned with IDEA, SCW Fitness Education, ACE or the American Council on Exercise and AFAA or the Aerobic & Fitness Association of America, plus other leading fitness organizations and facilities. To design and complement the innovation of creator Beto Perez, the Educational Division was built to give instructor workshops and make the program as effective as ever.
Zumba, at present, offers the Zumba Basic Skills Instructor Training workshop wherein instructors can teach basic classes for Zumba. The Zumba Gold workshop was designed for active older adults, and is used frequently as an exerciser for the deconditioned. There are several other workshops launched internationally. Some of the countries that help push the program include Japan, Mexico, Italy, the UK, China and Spain.
What a Typical Class Like?
A Zumba class lasts for about one hour based primarily on the principle of interval training. Dancers get to alternate low and high intensity exercise. This is great for both beginners and advanced individuals. The intensity changes are controlled by the various musical rhythms and steps, taking out the negative effects that can be acquired from high impact aerobic sessions.
The class always begins with a warmup, followed by a series of routines that incorporate the cumbia, flamenco, meringue, reggaeton and salsa. Everyone can participate regardless of age. A cool down is done at the end of the session composed for stretching moves. The routines can repeat for many weeks so that individuals can practice.
Two to three sessions a week is good enough for most individuals to stay fit and burn extra fat and calories.
Zumba Fitness – All About Zumba Gold
| March 17, 2011 | Filled under Zumba Fitness |
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Zumba has taken the world by storm and is now a favorite among millions of individuals. Since it aims to help you get fit, stay entertained and improve your moves, Zumba shows to be truly versatile and useful in a variety of occasions. The entrance of Zumba Gold focuses more on senior individuals who want to retain their active and vibrant life for years to come.
Introducing Zumba Gold
Zumba Gold is a fitness course specifically designed for the active older population, as well as a deconditioner for beginners. The program gives exercisers a full, safe and effective body workout. The program is still highly inspired by Latin and international dance rhythms. Seniors can come and workout wearing loose and comfortable clothes, plus aerobic dance shoes. Lessons usually last an hour. Depending on the place and organizers, exercisers will have to register before joining or freely enter.
The Zumba Gold is ideal for individuals who are not used to exercising or have stopped physical activity for several years. It is also good for complete beginners and those who have limited physical capabilities. The main difference between Zumba Basic and Zumba Gold is the lower intensity done with the latter. Both are just as fun, with the same steps and Latin rhythm incorporated.
What to Expect
The Zumba Gold program is very easy to follow, since it aims to let individuals of any age exercise without any worries. The dances included in the program are the salsa cha cha, meringue, rock & rock, salsa, cumbia, twist and Charleston, flamenco, belly dance and tango. There is also another Zumba Gold program that involves a chair workout for those who are bound to a wheelchair or live very sedentary lifestyles. The program is very useful for individuals who remain in short and long term care facilities and those in assisted living conditions.
Zumba Gold plans to target the baby boomer population, who are now getting older. These individuals are approximately between the age of 50 and 65 today. The population is expected to double within the next 30 to 35 years so the fitness program will continue to cater to the needs of the elderly. Individuals living longer can also benefit from the program.
Happy Customers
Hundreds of thousands of clients claim the several positive effects of Zumba Gold. There are individuals who have stopped exercising for over 10 years, realizing the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. The workshop provided in the area lasted only 1 day, together with ZES or Zumba Educational Specialist Instructors and other internationally popular fitness trainers that is part of the Zumba Gold Development Team. The workshop started with a Zumba Gold Master Class. There were also a lot of free items and materials like the Zumba Gold manual, Zumba Gold soundtrack CD and snacks. Instructors present for the first time also received 4 DVDs.
For the Seniors
The soundtrack CD featured different songs, depending on the course of the routine. There are warm up tracks, class tracks and cool down tracks. The class gets shorter if there are only a limited number of participants. The workshop also covers a variety of topics such as psychology, physiology and the benefits of Zumba Gold.
Other inclusions and activities are the monitoring of the intensity of exercises, instructor safety tips and leadership and education skills. There are also recommendations for teaching Zumba Gold the right way via drills and techniques. Seniors can expect improvement in their quality of life and maintenance of functional skills that will let them cope with daily activities.
Zumba Fitness Workout Clothes – What to Wear
| March 15, 2011 | Filled under Zumba Fitness |
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One of the advantages of Zumba is that you do not need an attire or costume to start. Beginners can immediately join their first class just by wearing comfortable clothing. If you want to improve in your performance without compromising appearance, you may also want to invest in the right type of clothes for the workout. Here are some helpful expert tips.
Built for Comfort
The main rule when looking for the right attire for Zumba is to stay comfortable. You should be able to move easily without any constraints and problem. Look for the right material that is soft and light on your skin. Breathable materials are the best since these absorb sweat quickly and keep you dry. As for the males, you may want to wear a sleeveless shirt or a t-shirt for the top. If you want to sweat more, wear a sweater over your t-shirt. Always search for breathable fabrics that effectively wick moisture off your body.
There are different kinds of cropped shirts and tanks for both men and women. Have a couple of layers on your upper body to warm up easily. You can take off the outer layer in the middle of your workout. Brazilian workout clothing lines are typically good for the kind of movements you are going to do in Zumba. Stretchable fabric is also very good so you can move comfortably.
Choosing the Right Source
Always check the brand or manufacturer so you can have an idea about make, quality and design. You can research some of the brands online. This way, you also get to see other similar types with slight variations in terms of color, design and material. You can find a variety of Zumba clothing in fitness shops, department stores and the internet. Ordering via the internet can be very convenient, as long as you make sure that you have a very reliable source. You only need to pay via PayPal or credit card online and the items will be sent right to your very doorstep in a few days.
The Women
Women should wear a good sports bra. Some women prefer the ones with the zipper in front with quality fabric that wicks moisture away from the body. Make sure you get the right size that offers great support. Some women prefer tops that improve their figure or shape more, with beautiful and unique designs like camouflage, etc.
There are now a number of products for women particularly made for Zumba. You will most likely find these on the internet and gyms. Check that you get the right fit by assess how the material feels in the armpits, back, collar, waist and knees. Clothes that are too tight are not very good and can easily rip.
The Bottom
Wear comfortable pants that you can move easily in. The fabric should still be breathable. There are dry-fit products available nowadays that specifically target the fitness market. You may also wear cargo pants and other baggy types of leg wear so you can easily stretch and move during the dances. Wear aerobic shoes that provide good friction. Boots and running shoes are not ideal.
Try to assess how well the footwear works with you by doing movements like turning, skipping and pivoting. Dance and court shoes are also good. Search for the right style and color that suit your taste.
Zumba Fitness General Information
| March 13, 2011 | Filled under Zumba Fitness |
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The Zumba has captured the hearts of many and has successfully helped hundreds of thousands of individuals all over the globe lose their extra pounds finally. You also get the benefit of keeping the pounds off through dedication and consistency. Knowing the details will help you understand the concept, as well as the proper ways of doing the Zumba.
On Interval Training
Zumba incorporates the interval training concept, wherein the entire workout goes from one routine to the next without stopping. The pace will change depending on the type of dance or musical influenced used. There will be no need for slowdown when moving from one constant motion to the next, so every individual can just go along with the flow. The steps are relatively easy to follow. Complete beginners and seniors can stay comfortable with the Zumba Gold, which does the routine at a more comfortable and easy pace. The same addictive music and dance steps are used, except that the pace tends to be slower. More time will be given in helping individuals get to know the steps.
More Cities
Zumba has spread all over United States and the world. It is one of the most popular in states like California, New York and Texas. International craze has also been on the rise in areas like Japan, Mexico and Europe. More and more individuals are getting hooked because of the unique approach of the program. Most beginners report that the steps are very easy to follow, plus they can focus more on fun and enjoying the music, instead of just mastering the steps. The fusion of different influences, plus the camaraderie are the best factors that eliminate workout boredom for good.
Becoming an Instructor
Thousands of individuals are now training or certified instructors of Zumba. There are workshops and seminars offered wherein people can be trained and become certified Zumba instructors. You get to receive materials and gain access to a network of instructors via the internet from all over the world. This way, you can enhance your knowledge and skills continually, plus get new contacts regardless of your location.
Losing Weight
Zumba is one of the best ways to losing weight. As opposed to other types of programs and workouts, Zumba takes away the boredom effectively since the dance steps are very entertaining, introducing the likes of the merengue, salsa and belly dance. There are also international education specialists who can further help individuals achieve the body they have always wanted. Zumba keeps your heart rate and breathing going steadily, and can burn as much as 450 calories in a single session.
Types of Zumba
There are generally 3 types, the Zumba Basic, Zumba Gold and Zumba Level 2. Zumba Basic is the most basic which incorporates different dances, most commonly Latin, into a continuous series of workouts. Zumba Gold is specifically designed to help the elderly and the physically incapacitated to cope with the various steps and moves. Zumba Level 2 is more advanced, using more sophisticated movements for a more intense workout and effective fat burn. You can start on either the Zumba Gold or Zumba Basic, depending on your current physical condition.
There are workshops available for each as well, should you decide to improve your skills or teach others how to lose weight the fun way.
Zumba Fitness Explained
| March 11, 2011 | Filled under Zumba Fitness |
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Zumba has become the latest craze in dancing and fitness. There are variations everywhere that cater to people of any age. Even senior citizens can get to enjoy the programs and burn calories the fun way. It is important that you understand the concepts and principles first, so you can get the most out of the workout. Here is an introduction to Zumba.
Describing Zumba
Zumba is a program for fitness inspired primarily by Latin Dance. It was created by a dancer and choreographer from Miami, Alberto “Beto” Perez, together with a couple of entrepreneurs named Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion. There are different videos or DVDs of Zumba that can be acquired via the web site and infomercials. DVDs in the millions have successfully been sold in more than 30 countries. Today, there are more than 25,000 official Zumba instructors all around the world. It has been featured in numerous media outlets, newspapers, shows and magazines.
The Principles
According to Alberto Perez, Zumba uses the principles of resistance training and fitness interval training to enhance caloric output, overall body toning and fat burn. It is a method of combining easy dance steps with movements that sculpt the body. The program is also very fun and addictive. Zumba has worked with AFAA or Aerobic & Fitness Association of America, Can-Fit-Pro or the International Trade Show & Conference in Canada and the American Council on Exercise. It has also collaborated with several leading national fitness organizations and fitness facility chains.
Music and Inspiration
Zumba is inspired by Latin dance and music and incorporates several styles in the routine like meringue, reggaeton, pop, cumbia, mambo, salsa, salsaton, flamenco, rumba and calypso. The selections of music involve both slow and fast rhythm so dancers can tone and sculpt their body well. Zumba is very fun and highly addictive so most individuals tend to do the exercises daily, maintaining both a fit body and a happy disposition. It is unique compared to other types of dance exercises because of the variety of music selections. It is also very effective, providing you a good aerobic workout.
Zumba History
Beto Perez is a celebrity fitness trainer who discovered the concept of using Latin dances for a fitness program. The Latin-inspired fitness program originated in his native Colombia in South America during the 1990s. During one of his training days, he forgot to bring the usual aerobic tapes and was forced to use the ones in his car. Most were meringue and salsa, so he had to make do right on the spot. Afterwards, he found how fun and effective the changes were and improved the program, leading to the recent Zumba. It became the most popular at the facility.
Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion saw the potential of the program and approached Beto to bring Zumba into America and the global scene. The company was primarily based on the Zumba fitness principles and philosophy, so they began offering Zumba classes worldwide. Hundreds of thousands of videos were introduced to the US market, leading to a very huge response and the creation of more than 2000 Zumba instructors everywhere.
Infomercials and different types of advertising efforts soon followed, spreading Zumba like wildfire until it became a driving force in the fitness industry. Now, there are over 2,000 instructors with millions of people claiming the beneficial effects of the program.
