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Zumba is a dance fitness program created by dancer and choreographer Alberto ("Beto") Perez in Colombia during the 1990s. Music is the key ingredient to Zumba classes. The score, created with specific beats and tempo changes, transitions the workout from one toning, strengthening or cardio move to another, and targets every major muscle group in the body. The Zumba program borrows from the following dance styles: Cumbia, Salsa, Merenguem Mambo, Flamenco, Cha-cha-cha, Raggaeton, Samba, Belly Dancing, Bhangra, Hip-hop and Tango.
There are different types of Zumba classes:
Zumba: The traditional Zumba class including basic rhythms like merengue, foxtrot, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, belly dance, waltz, tango, samba.
Zumba Gold: This workout is designed for adults and de-conditioned participants. It addresses the anatomical, physiological and psychological needs specific to these populations.
ZUMBA Toning: This class blends body-sculpting techniques and specific Zumba moves into one class focusing on calorie-burning and strength-training. Instructors use weighted, maraca-like Zumba Toning Sticks to enhance rhythm and build strength.
Aqua Zumba: This is an all ages class similar to water aerobics.
Zumbatomic: For girls and boys ages 4–12. It incorporates urban dance styles like hip-hop, Reggaeton and pop with fundamental concepts such as coordination, discipline, confidence and teamwork.
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Zumba as a product was marketed by entrepreneur Alberto Perlman, who made the concept popular through dance classes as well as branded merchandise. The program combines Latin and international music with dance in an effort to make exercise fun. Zumba classes are offered through licensed instructors in more than 90,000 fitness center locations in 110 countries with ten million participants. DVDs are also available for learning at home.
Beto previously attended the Maria Sanford Brazilian Dance Academy. There he became an instructor and choreographed dance routines for popular performers including Shakira. Beto invented the class in the 1990s and in 1999 specifically designed for women, after visiting Miami four times, he was given his first opportunity to teach fitness based on Latin dance music, a method he had developed in Colombia when he had forgotten his music and had to use a tape of recorded Latin music with the class he was teaching. The class gained popularity and in 2001 after Beto joined Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion to form the company Zumba Fitness LLC.
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