“Ditch the Party, Join the Workout!”

It is no surprise that diet and exercise are essential to good health, so why is it so hard to get motivated to work out? For some people working out is fun or even a hobby. But for many, it’s more like a chore. There is something out there for both of these types of people and it is known as Zumba.

A lot of people do not know what Zumba really is, and it is often misunderstood.

“All I know about Zumba is that it involves a lot of hip rolling. It looks like something Beyonce would do,” says senior Jeff Hancock with a chuckle.

Zumba is a dance oriented fitness program that is based around Latin music. It is the latest fitness craze and it is here to stay for a while. The music and the atmosphere are always upbeat. Zumba has evolved and now instructors are branching out in their music selection. The same steps are used but today’s best hits are incorporated. You will hear Nicki Minaj, Pitbull, Leona Lewis and many more!

Do not think that just because you are dancing that you will not get a work out.  The moves are designed to exercise all parts of your body. The basic moves that you may usually do at the gym are given a feisty and rhythmic twist. Most dances have moves that work all parts of your body.  Sometimes instructors will also create dances that focus on one area specifically. For example, one entire dance will be a workout just for your arms, legs or core.

“At first I was apprehensive about Zumba because I wasn’t sure if it would be a good workout, but I’m glad that I tried it. It is just what I was looking for: a good work out that is fun,” says junior Kailyn Hensler.

The best part of about Zumba is that to participate you do not have to be good at it! You may think that you will look silly trying to do the moves, and you’re right. Everyone looks silly at some point. To get the most out of a Zumba class all you have to do is watch the instructor do the moves and mirror what he or she does as best as you can.

There are over 140,000 locations that offer Zumba classes worldwide. There are plenty of classes to choose from in the St. Louis area. To find a location near you and with convenient class times to fit your schedule go to www.zumbafitness.com.

You can also find Zumba DVDs and games for Xbox, Kinect, Playstation and Wii. These are a great investment. Most Zumba classes do cost a small fee based on where you go, but if you purchase the DVDs or games it’s a one-time fee and you can enjoy Zumba from home whenever you want! You can find these games and DVDs at Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and many other retail locations. If you are lucky, you may even find Zumba DVDs at your local library. Zumba is not hard to find!

What are you waiting for? Get out there and join the party!