If you’ve never purchased dance shoes or don’t know anything about Zumba equipment, learning Zumba might feel daunting, but with a few pointers, finding the right gear can actually be a fun way to express yourself. Remember that knowledge is empowering, and this guide is full of tips from Zumba veterans who know the ins and outs of Zumba clothing, shoes, equipment, and even digital tools for online Zumba courses. Keep reading to get insider knowledge that will help you feel more confident as you start your Zumba journey.
What is Zumba?
Beloved across the globe for its motivational instructors and fun Latin music, Zumba is a dance fitness program that mixes Latin dance with interval training. Easy-to-follow choreography and continuous novelty make Zumba a fun alternative to traditional workout programs. With classes now taught in over 185 countries, Zumba’s thriving global community boasts more than 15 million class attendees every week.
Zumba was born in the 1990s when the Colombian dancer, Beto Pérez, began experimenting with Latin music in his exercise courses. Because Pérez had always wanted to create a fitness program that could work for anyone regardless of their lifestyle or fitness level, he decided to use Latin music as inspiration for building his dream workout program. Before long, he also began adding elements of different Latin dance styles to the workouts and eventually created the Latin fusion dance style that today’s Zumba enthusiasts know and love.
Because of the central role that music played in bringing Zumba to life, Pérez elected to name the dance style after rumba, one of his favorite Latin music genres. As an homage to his childhood hero, Zorro, he swapped the first letter in rumba out for a “z.”
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After launching Zumba Fitness L.L.C. in 2001, Beto Pérez and his partners, Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion, began selling their popular dance workout DVDs. By 2005, their Zumba Academy had started offering license training for Zumba instructors and had watched Zumba spread across the world. In fulfillment of Pérez’s original vision, today’s Zumba courses come in a variety of styles designed for different athletic abilities and fitness goals.
Benefits of Learning Zumba?
Along with no shortage of fun, Zumba has a wealth of benefits for both physical and mental health. On the physical side of things, Zumba is an effective way to build full-body strength, flexibility, and coordination. As you gyrate all of your muscles and joints to Latin music, your range of motion will increase and you’ll be less prone to injury.
To boot, Zumba is specifically calculated to maximize fat burning, and in a one-hour Zumba class, you can burn up to 900 calories. As a cardio workout, Zumba is remarkably effective. By switching between high and low-intensity dance routines, Zumba strengthens your heart and lungs, increasing your endurance and helping you vanquish fatigue. In addition, Zumba interval training has been shown to lower both blood pressure and harmful cholesterol.
Zumba also has a bounty of perks for your mental and emotional health as well. Zumba is a wonderful outlet for stress and offers a positive environment with supportive instructors who want to help keep you going. Along with increased motivation to work out, Zumba has a way of helping you build your self-esteem. Over time, people who learn Zumba develop a new appreciation for their inner strength, bodily autonomy, and purpose in life. What’s more, the supportive social circles that Zumba enthusiasts build are a potent antidote for loneliness-fueled depression.
Is Zumba Easy to Learn?
Zumba might feel intimidating if you don’t have a background in dance or feel that you have two left feet. Luckily, however, Zumba was designed to be easy to learn. Even beginners can follow along with the choreography, and even though you might make a few mistakes, you’ll get better the more you practice. While it’s possible to learn Zumba through on-demand videos and tutorials, you won’t get the full Zumba experience unless you take a live class. With encouragement and feedback from a licensed Zumba instructor, you’ll grow much faster than you would alone.
If you’re worried about making mistakes in your first class, Zumba veterans suggest coming to class early and talking to your instructor about your worries. Often, instructors can give you a basic overview of important moves so that you’re prepared when it’s time for class to start. Alternatively, you can learn basic Zumba moves in advance from online videos found on the official Zumba YouTube channel.
Depending on what works best for your lifestyle, you can choose between taking Zumba classes in-person or live online. In-person Zumba classes are traditionally taught at high-end training facilities, where you’ll be able to use dance floors, aerobics pools, and complimentary Zumba equipment. In addition to connecting with a spirited instructor in-person, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make friends with other dancers in your class.
If you’re looking for a flexible alternative to in-person training, live online Zumba classes allow you to get the full Zumba experience without leaving home. By tuning into a digital classroom through an internet-connected device, you can follow along with dance routines and receive motivational pep talks from your instructor in real-time. To get the most out of your online Zumba class, you’ll need a reliable internet connection and an obstacle-free space for dancing. Additionally, you’ll be responsible for procuring any additional exercise equipment that your instructor recommends for the class. To find Zumba classes in your area, visit CourseHorse.
For folks living in the Chicago area, Oak Lawn Park District offers a high-energy Zumba class that will make you excited to build your fitness. Working out doesn’t need to be difficult or demoralizing when you have Rhonda Allan to encourage you through beginner-friendly dance routines set to Latin music. By the time you leave class, you’ll be smiling ear to ear, ready for life’s hurdles.
Flexible online alternatives include Fit4Dance’s popular Virtual Lit Fit Zumba class taught through their Zoom classroom. The dance routines in this course are designed to comfortably introduce beginners to Zumba while also putting experienced dancers to the test. Start growing your confidence with encouragement from Laci Chisholm, a dancer of 25 years who knows how to bring out your inner beauty through Latin dance.
What You Need to Know Before Learning Zumba
Before you dive into your first Zumba party, it’s worth pausing to consider your goals and needs. Thinking about why you want to learn Zumba can make it easier to select the right class. While all Zumba courses offer major health benefits, each type of Zumba has unique differences.
While classic Zumba courses focus on high-energy cardio, you can also enjoy Zumba classes focused on muscle strength, water aerobics, low-impact cardio, nutrition, and Zumba for kids.
In addition to your fitness goals, you’ll want to take your limitations into account as well so that you don’t burn yourself out before you reach your goals. It can often take time to build up your exercise endurance if you haven’t worked out for a while. If you need to take short water breaks during class, go for it. Zumba is as much about listening to your body as it is about getting in shape.
If you suffer from joint pain, are recovering from injury, or live with a health condition, you might want to stick to Zumba Gold classes. These low-impact dance classes are especially trendy among seniors and are just as much fun as a regular Zumba class. To help shield your knees and feet from higher-impact moves, you can also invest in a pair of supportive dance shoes.
What You Need to Learn Zumba
You’ll enjoy your Zumba experience more if you come to class prepared with the right clothing and equipment. When you sign up for a class, your instructor will likely include a list of supplies needed to participate, and if you’re like most people, you’ll already have some of the right gear at home. For Zumba gear you don’t have on hand, you should have no trouble sourcing materials from online retailers that offer dance and athletic clothing.
While most in-person courses generally provide Zumba workout equipment such as chain tassels and toning sticks, virtual classes typically require you to purchase your own. When booking your spot in class, double-check the class page to see what supplies you’ll be responsible to procure.
Workout Clothing
Whatever style of class you choose to take, be sure to come wearing appropriate workout clothing. Many dancers opt for form-fitting leggings and other conventional athletic wear, while others opt for loose T-shirts and baggy pants. If you can move, stretch, and sweat comfortably in whatever you’re wearing, you’ve hit the bullseye.
Also, consider how confident your clothes will make you feel about your body. Using clothing to highlight your favorite features while concealing your insecurities is a great way to keep your mindset positive while exercising. For instance, if you love your midriff but feel insecure about your legs, you can style a crop top and long leggings. Browse the endlessly colorful selection of Zumbawear available online.
Dance Shoes
No matter your class format, you’ll always want your own pair of dance shoes. While it’s possible to dance in regular tennis shoes, you’ll have a smoother experience if you opt for shoes that are specially designed for dancing. Without an adequate grip on the floor, traditional tennis shoes actually make it easier to fall and injure yourself during Zumba. To find shoes with the perfect grip for Zumba, you can check out the dance shoes at Zumbawear and other dance shoe brands.
Zumba Equipment
Unlike many exercise programs out there, Zumba is fairly minimalistic when it comes to exercise equipment. However, if you’re not participating in an onsite course where equipment is provided for you, there are a few items that your instructor might recommend purchasing. Although it might feel tempting to substitute regular exercise equipment for Zumba equipment, you won’t get the full benefit from doing so.
Toning sticks are one of the most popular Zumba items for muscle building. While they look similar to dumbbells, their key component is the sand filling that sloshes back and forth within, creating additional resistance as you dance. Zumba chain tassels are another commonly recommended item, and create a rattling sound to help you stay in time with the music. If you’re participating in a virtual course that includes fitness games, you may also need a Zumba belt or Kinect to track your movements.
Workout Space
If you decide to learn Zumba at home through a live online or self-paced course, make sure that your space can accommodate wild Latin dance moves. You may need to make a few adaptations to a room in your home, like adjusting the placement of furniture or changing the temperature.
Above all else, you need enough space to comfortably dance your heart out without bumping into furniture or stepping on pets. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests choosing a room with at least 40 to 50 square feet for every dancer participating. Next, you’ll want to maintain a cool room temperature with sufficient humidity to prevent heat stroke during exercise. For most people, a space that’s between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity between 40 and 60 percent is a safe target.
If you find your home is too small for a Zumba workout, you can dance in an alternative space such as your apartment gym, backyard, or a local park.
Key Takeaways
- Zumba is a beginner-friendly dance fitness style that’s not too difficult to learn with the help of a spirited instructor. There are in-person and online Zumba classes to suit different lifestyles.
- Zumba equipment typically comes as a complimentary perk of in-person classes, while online classes expect you to purchase your own workout equipment. Online classes also require you to have your own exercise space, while in-person courses give you access to a professional dance floor.
- Regardless of which class format you choose, you’ll need a solid pair of dance shoes and some comfortable athletic clothes.
- For more information about online and in-person Zumba classes, including private group classes, reach out to CourseHorse.