If you want to stay fit and healthy Zumba® is a great choice and easy to join in. If you are a newbie then read on about Zumba® for Beginners.
What is the Basic Concept of Zumba®?
Zumba® is a Latin dance-inspired workout routine. A Zumba® class combines fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body using principles from aerobic and fitness to achieve cardio and muscle-toning benefits.
There is no age restriction and anybody can do Zumba® whether you are a child, a teenager, or a senior citizen. You also do not require any pre-skills. So, put on your exercise gear and groove to the Latin music.
Do I need to know how to do the Steps?
Zumba® is run by an Instructor called a Zin™ … although Class Leader is probably a better term than “Instructor”.
You will not become an expert in Zumba® with just one or two classes. So, do not judge yourself, just keep practicing. Initially, you will do it incorrectly but soon you will be able to complete the entire routine with few, if any, mistakes.
Here is one of the secrets to understand in Zumba® for Beginners … just chill and go with the flow and have fun.
What are the Steps/Rhythms?
Every Zumba® class always has four core rhythms: merengue, salsa, cumbia and reggaeton. The instructor can add additional styles so you might find some hip-hop or other routines included in your class.
You don’t need to be an expert at these rhythms or steps … it is more like “follow the leader”. Within a few classes you’ll become more familiar with the routines.
What do you wear to a Zumba® class?
Wear comfortable attire
It is important to wear something that is easy to move in and is comfortable. Lightweight fitness attire that can handle sweat is ideal.
Do not forget to carry a towel and a water bottle when you attend your Zumba® class.
What Shoes should you wear?
Wear sneakers that support dance movement — think side-to-side movements and pivots rather than simple front-to-back movement. Good shoes can include cross trainers, dance sneakers, or even running shoes with a worn-out tread.
You basically need shoes with low tread, as they will help you to move easily and will support the moves.
Can Zumba® help loose Belly Fat?
One of the great benefits to exercise is burning calories and fat. An aerobic exercise like that in a Zumba® class is one of the bests way for you to get the higher calorie and fat burn from your efforts.
Professionals recommend you should get a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 3 times a week, more if you really want to lose belly fat faster.
In Zumba® exercise this is no problem as most classes are around one hour in duration.
How much Weight can you lose in a month with Zumba® exercise?
One hour of intense aerobic/dance burns around 450 Calories if you weigh 155 pounds/70 kg. The calorie burn rate is higher if you have a little more weight (and even more if you are male).
You need to burn 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound/half a kg, so with three one-hour Zumba® sessions a week, you should lose at least 1 pound/half a kg in a little over two weeks and almost 2 pounds/1 kg in a month.
How long do you have to do Zumba® exercise to see results?
In a one hour Zumba® class, you can expect to burn anywhere from 400 to 500 calories. In the beginning, you can start by taking two classes per week. Even at that pace, you will begin to see some results within 2 to 3 weeks.
But it is not just about the weight, you will likely feel better about yourself and have made some new friends too.
Is a Zumba® class a really a good workout?
A Zumba® class is a total-body exercise—a good, high-energy aerobic workout. It is also good for core strengthening and flexibility gains because there are lots of hip and midsection movements. Both fit people and less-fit people are going to get an equally good workout.
So, while Zumba® is a “good workout”, it is not the only component you need to “get into shape”.
Will Zumba® exercise get me in shape?
Cardiovascular exercise alone will not whip you into shape. Getting fit is a combination of 3 components:
- Cardio training
- Muscular strength
- Healthy diet
If you only do Zumba® classes and ignore muscular strength and your diet, you may see changes in your body but you will not be completely “in shape”.
How many times a week should you do Zumba® classes?
Zumba® Fitness founder, Beto Perez, recommends starting with 20 minutes of Zumba® dancing three times a week if you have no fitness background. Over the next few weeks, try to build up to 45 to 60 minutes a session at least three times a week. Listen to your body on whether you can do even more, he suggests.
What about Water?
Stay hydrated!
Drink water 20 minutes before the class. Stay hydrated during the class and always have your water bottle handy.
Can Zumba® exercise be done at home?
Yes .. you can do Zumba® exercise at home, just clear a space to allow for your movements. You can shoot for a workout between 30 to 90 minutes. You should base the duration of your workout on your overall fitness and experience with physical activity.
You can link together routines from different videos, or complete one full workout video.
Consult your doctor before joining a Zumba® class if you have a medical condition
It is advisable to ask your doctor before you join a Zumba® class if you have any medical condition. If you have asthma, do not forget to carry your medicine.
What can you expect at a Zumba® class?
Here’s everything you need to know about the session before attending your first Zumba® class:
- You may not master all the choreography right away—and that’s OK.
- You’ll be exposed to lots of different dance styles.
- There’s a warm-up and a cool down.
- Some moves might be hard on your knees.
- Introduce yourself to the instructor.
About Zumba® exercise
Zumba® exercise is a Latin dance-inspired fitness workout created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Pérez. He combined Latin and aerobic moves to come up with a fun and exhilarating fitness training.
You move, dance and workout all at the same time to keep up your heart rate and burn fat. It is a great way to lose weight and stay healthy and fit.
Approximately 15 million people take weekly Zumba® classes in over 200,000 locations across 180 countries.
About HESTIBELL®
HESTIBELL® was founded by Hesti Bell as a platform for building healthy communities with fun activities where everyone feels valued.
You can read about HESTIBELL® on Home and click About Hesti to find out about Hesti herself.
And a final word from Hesti to all who read “Zumba® exercise for Beginners”.
“I was just like many of you .. I love dance and the Latin sound but I had no natural rhythm and could not dance well. But I wanted to do Zumba® classes because they were fun and everyone can really be involved. So I started anyway. I then decided to upgrade myself and became a Zin™. I remember freaking out so much at my first Class where I was the Instructor … there were over 100 people, many of whom were better at the Zumba® steps than me! So follow me and remember, at the start, we are all at the level of Zumba® exercise for Beginners.”
