I’ve taken up Zumba again! I used to be completely hooked 6/7 years ago but due to morning classes being made into night classes I had to let go of this much loved, so- called- workout at the time!
I’m back in the game! Grooving to the beats of salsa, flamenco, and merengue music feels more like a dance party than a workout, which is exactly why I love Zumba so much!
Thanks to my Zumba pro friend Maria who managed to get me into class and my instructor Theodora I am dancing my heart out in my biweekly classes at CHS gym in Limassol. Bringing back memories of my dancing days as a teenager I look forward to my nights at the gym! My dancing feet, gyrating hips, and a desire to move like I’m in a discotheque have really perked up my week! Who would’ve thought?!
Here we are:
Working up a sweat in the 60-minute classes burns an average of 369 calories — more than cardio kickboxing or step aerobics. You get a great cardio workout that melts your fat, strengthens your core, and improves flexibility.
Zumba is an interval workout. The classes move between high- and low-intensity dance moves designed to get your heart rate up and boost cardio endurance.
Areas It Targets
Core: Yes. Many of the dance steps used in the routines emphasize the hips and midsection to help strengthen the core.
Arms: No. Traditional Zumba classes do not target the arms. Specialized classes like Zumba Toning use weights to help strengthen and tone the arms.
Legs: Yes. The jumps and lunges that are parts of the choreographed movements help work the quads and hamstrings.
Glutes: Yes. You’ll feel the burn in your buns while you move to the beat.
Back: No. Though the workout involves your whole body, it’s not focused on your back muscles.
