We give you the lowdown on the emerging trend in fitness world
For many, dance is a hobby and a stress buster. And the newest sensation in town is zumba aerobics, a dance form that acts as the perfect stress buster and aids weight loss as a bonus. Known as 'aerobics with a twist', zumba aerobics has become one of the most sought-after routines among the fitness-conscious today, as it is ideal for those who seek to reduce weight, the fun way.
Zumba makes generous use of both fast and slow rhythms, thereby enabling one to work out for a longer period of time and thus burning unnecessary fat.
"It is a very popular fitness regime in many parts of the world. It increases the efficiency of the various functions of the body," says dancer Lourd Vijay.
Zumba has a strong and distinct Latin influence and is more about having fun than anything else — it doesn't really matter whether or not you get your steps right. It also helps one burn up to 450 calories per hour and promotes cardiovascular health.
The movements in zumba are a mixture of different Latin dance forms like salsa, meringue, cha-cha, mambo and zumba shuffle steps that help tone the muscles. The initial classes are divided into two basic levels. Basic level one focusses on four rhythms — meringue, salsa, cumbia and reggaeton. Basic level two adds four more rhythms — belly dance, flamenco, tango and samba. The tempo of the songs changes from slow to moderate to fast and back again.
An ideal zumba workout also includes a diet plan that emphasises on having six small meals. The plan does not restrict one from having one's favourite foods — moderation is the key. Once trained by a qualified instructor, zumba can be practiced at home at least thrice a week.
"However, though zumba is very effective as a workout regime, it hasn't caught on in Chennai in a big way because we do not have many qualified trainers here," says Lourd.
Fitness trainer Sujataha Suro on the other hand uses zumba as part of a more comprehensive fitness regime that includes mixing and matching various dance forms.
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