Zumba in Session
A co-worked mentioned this dance/work-out craze to me a few weeks ago and I didn’t really give it a second thought. Then when I was skimming the Health & Fitness news on MSN.com, I saw a video about a “Zumba Craze” and then thought, ‘hey maybe this is bigger than I thought!’
Zumba is briefly described as:
“…a cardio work out in intervals with a latin dancing flare.”
It is a lot like a kickboxing class, where there is loud music playing and you are working your whole body only in this class, you’re straight dancin’. According to its followers, one hour of Zumba three times a week is the key to jumpstarting your boring work out routine and getting rid of a few extra pounds.
If I’m not explaining it well, here’s a blurb from ABC:
This dance-based fitness class set to Latin beats is influenced by salsa, merengue, flamenco and other international dance styles, with some hip-hop and freestyle mixed in.
Generally, you start by moving your legs, then you add a change, such as moving your arms or changing direction, so you go side to side or forward and backward. But it’s one change at a time, making it simpler and easier to follow for those who feel like they have two left feet.
It sounds fun but I’m an awful dancer! 
Here are some other interesting group fitness classes (from ABC) to keep an eye out for if you guys are getting tired of your normal routine and belong to (or can go to a pay-as-you-go) gym.
- Forza: An Italian word for strength and power, forza is a class-based in Japanese sword-fighting techniques. A wooden sword is used as a stand-in for metal as participants slice, chop and thrust it through the air in addition to doing lunge movements or taking steps with their legs.
- Urban Rebounding: The class is taught on a mini-trampoline, used for much of the session. The trampoline provides an unstable surface to jump on that makes the exercise more challenging; it also cushions the landing and places less stress on your joints than a floor-based workout. Urban rebounding requires some coordination, because your arms and legs will often be moving simultaneously, and you’ll get a high-energy, heart-thumping, whole-body workout in the process. The activity not only improves your balance but also builds aerobic conditioning as well as arm, leg and core strength.
- Bosu: The novel twist in this class is that it is taught on a Bosu ball, a piece of exercise equipment shaped like a half-dome. Bosu is an acronym that stands for “both sides utilized” because you can face the blue rubber shaped dome up and exercise on top of its surface or flip it over and work with the base of the device. Many of the moves are similar to those in a step aerobics class, but the main difference is that the Bosu offers a wobblier surface than the step. You can stand on the Bosu, lie down or place your knee on it or use your arms to push off of it. Any exercise you would do on the ground, whether it’s lunges, squats, crunches or pushups, becomes trickier when attempted on a Bosu ball. Participants develop balance, and it tones muscles as the class works the upper and lower body as well as the midsection. Bosu training also has cardio elements to it.
Would you consider taking a Zumba class or do prefer a more traditional group exercise class, like spinning? Would you do any of the other different work outs above?
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