Zumba

Zumba is the registered brand name for a fitness concept which was created by dancer and choreographer Alberto " Beto " Perez in Colombia during the 1990s. Zumba combines aerobics with Latin and international dances. The name Zumba is a worldwide registered trademarks of Zumba Fitness, LLC.

History

The Colombian fitness instructor Alberto Perez reported on his website that he had in the 1990s forget the music cassette with a headed by him aerobics class. Means that the price did not turn out, he used the only one available to him music - the cassette out of his car. These included the traditional Latin salsa and merengue, which is why he had to improvise and ran the course to these unfamiliar for the students rhythms. After the initial success in Colombia, he brought 1999 Zumba in the United States. Alberto Perez in 2001 allowed the brand name Zumba register and founded with two partners a company called " Zumba Fitness LLC". Meanwhile both DVDs and CDs, as well as fitness classes, video games and sports apparel are sold under the brand name Zumba. 14 million people, as it says on the Zumba website, take the world in over 185 countries Zumbakursen part.

The Zumba dance fitness program is recognized by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, IDEA Health and Fitness Association and the American Council on Exercise.

Music and choreography

Zumba is a mix of aerobics and predominantly Latin American dance elements. Zumba does not works with the counting of cycles, but follows the flow of the music. In contrast to traditional aerobics, there are no non-stop Zumba with a strong beat and the movements are not standardized. Instead, each song receives due to his characteristics and style of dance own choreography. The songs come from very different folklore, as well as modern urban music styles and the individual songs are usually separated by short breaks. The music and the dance steps are, inter alia from the following styles: Reggaeton, Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Flamenco, Cha -Cha -Cha, Tango, Soca, Samba, Axé, belly dancing, bhangra and hip- hop. The dance steps of the particular musical style are within the choreography with aerobic elements (eg squat, lunge ) in order to increase the stress level.

While other fitness concepts mainly follow the power of thought and advertise as a selling point with efficiency or a streamlined method of training, the company introduced Zumba Fitness by intensive marketing the fun of music and creative movement in the foreground. Perez stressed that the participants mainly follow their inner rhythmic feeling and this will increasingly be to adapt the given choreography.

However, Zumba is considered by experts to be challenging full body workout. It is suitable for the combustion of the body's own fat. However, the information on the suspected calorie consumption differ greatly. Sports scientist Ingo Froböse of the German Sport University Cologne holds in this type of load 400 kcal per hour for normal. Zumbainstructoren think that depending on Zumbavariante values ​​between 600 -1000 kcal per hour can be achieved and the magazine Men's Fitness is the calorie consumption by 725 calories per hour.

Zumba programs

Meanwhile, there are in addition to the basic Zumba Zumba variant eight specialized programs for each different target groups:

• Zumba Gold is the movement from the needs of older participants with restricted mobility ( eg after surgery).
• Zumba Toning combines targeted body shaping exercises, strength training and endurance training with intense energy sales. The lightweight maraca -like Toning sticks are used to train the target zones arms, abdomen, buttocks and thighs.
• Aqua Zumba is a Zumba concept adapted aqua fitness training. It should help to improve the cardiovascular system and performance.
• Zumbatomic is a Zumbavariante for girls and boys from four to twelve years and combines the urban dance styles like hip -hop, reggaeton and pop with the concept of concentration, coordination and self-confidence to work and stimulate the metabolism.
• Zumba in the Circuit is a half-hour short training as opposed to the regular one-hour courses. It works with reggaeton, salsa, merengue, soca and hip- hop. This course can be tailored to any fitness level.
• Zumba Gold Toning is a variant of moderate intensity for middle-aged participants and beginners. It is designed to improve muscle strength, bone density, flexibility, posture and coordination.
• Zumba SENTAO is carried out with a chair ( but not exclusively) and is intended to strengthen the muscles.
• Zumbini is designed for infants between 0 and 3, which " wiggle " sing together, and learn.
• Zumba Step works with a stepper and should particularly strengthen gluteus and legs.