Zumba

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Zumba

Zumba is a dance fitness program created by dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in


Colombia during the 1990s. The program combines international music with dance in an effort to make
exercise fun. Zumba classes are offered through licensed instructors in more than 110,000 locations in
over 125 countries. DVDs are also available for learning at home. Classes and instructional DVDs use
music based on salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton and other international music styles and forms.

The Zumba program is recognized by the world’s leading fitness educators, including the Aerobic
Fitness Association of America, IDEA Health and Fitness Association, and the American Council on
Exercise. 

History
Beto previously attended the Maria Sanford Brazilian Dance Academy. There he became an instructor
and choreographed dance routines for popular performers including Shakira.

Beto invented Zumba in the early 1990s: as he entered his aerobics class he realized that he had
forgotten his music. His only option was to use whatever tapes he happened to have in his backpack,
mostly traditional Latin salsa and merengue music. Beto improvised the entire class on the spot using
this music (which was non-traditional for aerobics) and from this experience he began to further
develop Zumba. Soon, it became the most popular class at the fitness facility.

Following his success in Colombia, Beto moved to the United States and began teaching Zumba
classes in Miami. The class gained popularity and in 2001, Beto joined Alberto Perlman and Alberto
Aghion to trademark the Zumba brand name and create the company, Zumba Fitness LLC, that today
offers the Zumba program globally. Zumba Fitness is headquartered in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

The Workout
The Zumba workout provides fitness benefits because its routines feature interval training sessions
with fast and slow rhythms and resistance training, which are intended to tone and sculpt the body
while burning fat. 

Music is the key ingredient to Zumba classes. The score, created with specific beats and tempo
changes, transitions the workout from one toning, strengthening or cardio move to another, thus
targeting every major muscle group in the body. The Zumba program borrows Latin flavor from the
following dance
styles: Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Flamenco, Chachacha, Reggaeton,Samba, Belly
dancing, Bhangra, Hip hop music, Axé music and Tango. Instructors are trained by the organisation
and licensed to use the Zumba name. They are supplied with new routines each month but are also
free to substitute their own choice of music and choreography.

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