IN the video, there's a whole lot of hand waving and hip-shaking going on.
There are also plenty of smiles. From the YouTube video posted on northvanrec's channel, of a Zumba fitness demonstration during the Lonsdale Spring Celebration in May, it's clear that the fun and enthusiasm of the Latin-flavoured workout is contagious.
According to the Zumba website, the fitness class was created in the mid-'90s when Colombian fitness instructor Alberto "Beto" Perez darted off to teach an aerobics class and forgot his traditional aerobics music. He improvised using his own mix of music from tapes he had in his backpack, the salsa and merengue music he grew up with.
Spontaneously he created a new kind of dance-fitness, one that focused on letting the music move you (instead of counting reps over the music). Energy electrified the room; people couldn't stop smiling. His class loved it!
In 2001, Perez brought his new dance-fitness style to Miami, Fla. One of his students introduced him to her son, entrepreneur Alberto Perlman and his partner Alberto Aghion. All three hailed from Colombia and all three had a vision to bring this dynamic dance-fitness class to the masses.
The three Albertos formed an alliance and created a business, calling it Zumba Fitness. They trademarked the word Zumba and set a goal to expand the brand all over the world. First came the DVDs, then the infomercial - which introduced the Zumba Fitness-Party to the public on a wide-scale basis - then came the demand for Zumba classes and Zumba instructors.
By 2005, Zumba Fitness spawned a full-fledged Zumba Academy to license Zumba instructors to teach classes.
The program has grown to become the world's largest - and most successful - dancefitness program with more than 12 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking weekly Zumba classes in over 110,000 locations across more than 125 countries.
The North Vancouver Recreation Commission is now offering more than 50 Zumba Fit classes at seven locations starting this September and continuing throughout 2012. The classes blend redhot international music and contagious steps to form a fun fitness dance work out.
The easy to follow moves create a dynamic workout experience. Zumba utilizes the principles of fitness interval training and resistance training to maximize caloric output, fat burning and total body toning. It uses a variety of styles in its routines, including Cumbia, Soca, Merengue, Salsa, African, Reggaeton, Flamenco, Funk, and Bellydance. Zumba is a feel happy workout that is great for both the body and the mind.
Zumba Fit has been so popular that North Van Rec has introduced more types of classes including Zumbatomic for kids (ages 4-7 and 8-12 years old), Zumba + Sculpt (for teens and adults 15 years and up) and Zumba Fit-Gold for older adults.
Two free introduction classes are being held in September as part of the commission's Try A Free Class week from Sept. 6 - 12.
Participants must register for the free classes.
- Zumba Fit at William Griffin Community Recreation Centre on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 10: 45-11: 45 a.m. and Thursday, Sept. 8 4: 45-5: 45 p.m.
- Zumba and Sculpt at William Griffin Community Recreation Centre on Tuesday, Sept. 6 4: 45-5: 45 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 8 10: 45-11: 45 a.m.
