Sports Fitness

Has anyone tried a Zumba Class? It is one of the most popular intense dance-aerobics workouts. It is something that about 1 million Americans have tried. So I set out to figure out why it is gaining so much popularity, is it actually beneficial or is it just hype.

This dance fitness program was designed by dancer and choreographer Alberto Perez in Columbia during the 1990’s and was promoted and marketed by entrepreneur Alberto Perlman who made the concept popular through dance classes and branded merchandise.

One of the Zumba fans quoted on yahoo It’s a party," Jones said in trying to describe Zumba (pronounced ZOOM-buh), which is Colombian slang for "fast." "It emulates being in a nightclub without the drinking, the smoking, the bad pickup lines."

Here is exactly why this dance intensive workout has become a rage

1. Fun Workout

There can be nothing better than working out and enjoying every bit of it. The lively music and the laid back atmosphere at Zumba classes ensure that it never becomes a workout session but a fun group activity.

2. Burn Calories

And yes while you are having all the fun, your body is burning about 600 to 1000 calories in every single class.

3. Happy workout

Anyone who has fun and burns calories is sure to come out happy from the class.

4. It is nothing complicated

Lot of people do not attempt this, as they shy away from dancing. Zumba is based on easy steps that most of us can easily master.

5. It’s a full body workout

Zumba with its simple Latin dance steps helps strengthening down the core including arms, legs and abdomen.