What is Zumba®?

 Zumba is a fusion of Latin and International music and dance themes creating a dynamic, exciting, and effective fitness program. Zumba routines feature aerobic training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms. With Zumba workout, you can target areas of the body such as gluts, legs, arms, abs, your heart and muscles.

Zumba uses a mix of body sculpting movements with easy to follow dance steps like the Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Calypso, Rock and Roll, Twist, Mambo, Belly dancing, Samba, flamenco, hip hop and much more...

Zumba is fun and it is an alternative to basic exercise. The routines burn calories and improve coordination. In Zumba classes we create a place where we can dance, sweat, have fun, be silly, and bring out the child in us. This is where we form a common bond where we don't compete or judge. This is where we can dance like no one is watching us.

You don't have to know how to dance to join Zumba. You just need to know how to have fun. Anyone at any fitness level can join a Zumba class. Zumba is easy, fun, and an excellent exercise. In addition, you will be burning lots of calories by just having a good time. Zumba is a "party" which is less intimidating for people who may not be as coordinated as others. At Club Rachel, we dim the lights and we have some disco lights to give it a party atmosphere.

I have been teaching Zumba for almost five years and it has changed my life tremendously. You too should come out and get the Club Rachel experience. You will have a wonderful time.

Important points for a ZUMBA class from an article on Shape Fitness magazine,

1. Let Loose

Zumba is all about having fun, and joining the party, which is hard to do if you're stiff or self-conscious! The best way to burn more calories in class is to let go, have fun, and try not to think too much. "Letting yourself go will let the calories go!” Boyer says.

2. Maximize Your Arm Movement

During the moves, be sure to fully extend your arms, Boyer says. You’ll boost your calorie burn and engage more muscles by maximizing your arm movements during class. "It's not that tricky and you can do a lot for your body by lengthening, raising, and extending with oomph."

3. Move Up and Down More

“When your instructor takes you though a level change try and do it," Boyer says. All that up and down movement will not only boost your burn, it will also get your glutes, hips, and thigh muscles firing even more. “Sit into your moves, bend your knees, and go up and down and all around as much as you can—level changes burn calories!"

4. Work Your Booty

"There is always a lot of booty shaking in Zumba!" Boyer says. "Just shake it—and shake it good (to best do this, see tip #1)." Boyer recommends pressing through your heels whenever you can to maximize the move’s booty shaping benefits.

5. Rock the Moves You Know

So maybe you don’t have every move mastered yet, that's OK! You can still get a great workout as long as you rock the moves you’ve got! "Always accentuate the moves that you are actually comfortable with," Boyer says. “Make the most out of that shimmy you love, or the salsa step you have mastered. Feel confident in adding your own flair to the movement. If you know it, show it!"