What is the “Zumba Glow?”

Zumba is an interval cardio class based on music and dance movement. The music is a mix or rhythms and music genres from all around the globe much of which is from Latin countries. Every rhythm has a unique style and tempo that is true to the origin of the country in which it was created such as Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Mambo, Samba, Bachata, Reggaetón, Caribbean, Soca, African, Dance Hall, Bhangra, Punjabi, Bollywood, American and Pop to name a few.

Anyone can do Zumba. The instructor’s job is to show the moves and steps. Because each of us moves differently, there is no right or wrong way, just each person’s individual style. There is no judgement. No ego. Just as each participant is different, each instructor is different. Unlike other exercise formats, Zumba instructors are encouraged to created unique playlists and choreography which best expresses their personality keeping to the “Zumba formula” which is 70% Zumba issued music and 30% whatever the instructor wants to add of their own music preference.

What makes it so effective is that the play list is organized to include intervals of two to three high-intensity rhythms and then a “recovery” or slower tempo rhythm, so participant’s heart rate comes down slightly before going back up. This good for two reasons. One. It gives the instructor creative autonomy to create unique classes. The play list is constantly changing, so participants are always challenged and never bored. Interval exercise keeps the calorie burn constantly changing versus steady-state cardio in which the body burns a constant number of calories.

The benefits of doing Zumba is vast. The calorie burn can be anywhere from 300 – 800 calories in a class depending on the length of the class, the size of the person, the effort of the person and the play list. Side note. I recently had a participant send a snapshot of her FitBit while doing one of my virtual classes. She burned 650 calories in her hotel room while she was attending an OB/GYN conference in Boston!

Dancing increases the production of serotonin, dopamine and endorphins creating sense of happiness and well-being. This is known as the “Zumba Glow” and it is addictive. Zumba not only targets the use of large muscle groups it also helps us engage our core, improves our cardio vascular system, improves our agility, endurance and balance. The more we do it, the better our bodies move. Besides the physical benefits, the social connection in a class is felt and it is contagious. People are happy, smiling and celebrating life together!

Please refer to the article in this link for even more benefits: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/benefits-of-zumba#1

Reach out to me at ChristaCowell@FitnessWithChrista.com for any reason. I am here to help.