Zumba

Summary

Zumba is a fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance. It was founded by Colombian dancer and choreographer Beto Pérez in 2001.[1] It currently has 200,000 locations, with 15 million people taking classes weekly, and is located in 180 countries.[2][3] Zumba is a trademark owned by Zumba Fitness, LLC.

Zumba Fitness, LLC
IndustryFitness
Founded2001
FounderAlberto "Beto" Pérez
Alberto Perlman
Alberto Aghion
Number of locations
186 countries
Websitewww.zumba.com
Zumba dancing at Roanoke College in the United States, 2012

Origin edit

Zumba was created in the 1990s by dancer and choreographer Beto Pérez, an aerobics instructor in Cali, Colombia. After forgetting his usual music one day, and using cassette tapes of Latin dance music (salsa and merengue) for class, Pérez began integrating the music and dancing into other classes, calling it "Rumbacize".[4][5]

In 2001, Pérez partnered with Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion to launch Zumba, and the trio released a series of fitness videos sold via infomercial.[6] Pérez decided on the word "Zumba" because of its similarity to the word "rumba", the Cuban musical genre. Pérez and his partner began to replace the first letter of "rumba" until they landed on "sumba", and Pérez ultimately decided to spell it with the letter 'z' because he liked the fictional character Zorro when he was a child.[7]

In 2012, Insight Venture Partners and The Raine Group invested in the venture.[8][9] The company expanded into class instruction, and by 2015, according to Perlman, there were 14 million Zumba students in 186 countries.[10]

Choreography edit

Zumba choreography is composed using all or some of sixteen core steps. There are four basic rhythms: salsa, reggaeton, merengue, and cumbia;[11] each basic rhythm has four core steps.[12]

Classes edit

Instructors are licensed by Zumba Fitness, LLC to teach classes.[13][14][15][16][17]

There are eleven types of classes, for different ages and levels of exertion:[18][19]

  • Zumba — a mix of low and high intensity, interval-style moves.[20]
  • Zumba Step — a lower-body workout that incorporates Zumba routines and step aerobics with Latin dance rhythms.
  • Zumba Toning — for people who do their workouts with toning sticks, targeting the abs, thighs, arms, and other muscles. This type of Zumba class provides participants with a cardio workout and strength training.
  • Aqua Zumba — classes held in a swimming pool. The instructor leads the class poolside while participants follow in shallow water. The moves have been adapted to combine the dance movements used in a Zumba Fitness class with those used in aqua fitness classes. There is less impact on the joints, since it's in water, and natural resistance is created.[21]
  • Zumba Sentao — a combination of strength and resistance training, incorporating dance moves and a chair as your partner. It works your muscles and core without lifting weights.[22]
  • Zumba Gold — a modified, lower-intensity version of a typical Zumba class.
  • Zumba Gold-Toning — a toning class designed for older participants with the goal of improving muscle strength, posture, mobility, and coordination.
  • Zumba Kids (ages 7–11) & Zumba Kids Jr. (ages 4–6) classes for kids that feature kid-friendly routines based on the original Zumba choreography, while also breaking down the steps and adding games and cultural exploration activities .[23]
  • Zumbini — a class for babies and children, ages of 0–4 years old and their caregivers to learn, bond, and grow in a musical environment.[24] Their live classes stream on BabyFirstTV.[25]
  • Zumba in the Circuit — combines dance with circuit training.[26] These classes usually last 30 minutes and feature strength exercises on various stations in timed intervals.
  • A Plate by Zumba — an e-learning program to learn about healthy eating habits.[27]
 
Zumba class held in a U.S. Army Garrison fitness center in Stuttgart, Germany, 2009

Health benefits edit

Zumba is intended as a total-body cardio and aerobic workout, which provides calorie consumption.[28][29] One 2012 study found that a participant burns 300 to 900 kcal with an hour-long Zumba exercise.[16]

Because Zumba offers different options, proponents of the Zumba program claim that it is safe for all ages, meaning anyone can participate.[30] Some of the classes are specifically aimed at elderly people.[31]

Besides its high calorie burning, Zumba can help lower the risk of heart disease, reduce blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, and increase HDL cholesterol.[32][33]

Events edit

The annual ZIN-con for Zumba instructors from around the world takes place in the United States, including master classes, specialty training and a Zumba concert.[34] In addition to the Annual Zumba Convention, Zumba also operates a number of one-day Academies where instructors can attend master classes and rhythm sessions. These events are held in cities globally.[35] In January 2016, the first Zumba Cruise took place.[36]

Products edit

 
Attempted Zumba world record in Bydgoszcz, Poland, 2013

Zumba began selling DVDs via infomercials in 2002,[37] selling more than 10 million DVDs by 2012.[38]

In 2005, the Zumba Academy was launched to license instructors for teaching Zumba classes.[39]

In 2007, the company launched a clothing line called Zumba Wear;[40][41] as of 2012, official apparel sales amounted to $10-million per year.[38]

In July 2012, Zumba released the compilation album Zumba Fitness Dance Party.

Video games edit

In 2010, Zumba released its first fitness video game—Zumba Fitness—on 30 November 2010 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (on Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3),[18] selling 3 million copies by August 2011.[42] It was followed by Zumba Fitness 2, released in November 2011, with a similar game released on the Xbox 360 as Zumba Fitness Rush in February 2012.[43] In October 2012, Zumba Fitness Core was released for the Wii and Xbox 360, including new features such as nutrition tips and the ability to set personal goals.[44]

Zumba Fitness: World Party was released on 5 November 2013, featuring a new "World Tour" mode that unlocks songs from seven global destinations as a player progresses, as well as authentic customs, local rhythms and native dance styles.[45] The game was followed a couple weeks later by Zumba Kids on 19 November 2013.[46]

On 19 November 2019, Zumba Burn It Up! was released by 505 Games and Sega in Japan and certain countries (digital only) for the Nintendo Switch, as the first Zumba game in six years.[47]

Bans edit

In 2013, the Haredi city of Beitar Illit banned all-female participants or female teachers in the activity.[48][49][50]

In June 2017, Zumba was banned in Iran for being un-Islamic.[51] In August 2017, six people were arrested after being accused of "trying to change lifestyles" by teaching Zumba.[52]

References edit

  1. ^ Alford, Henry (11 January 2012). "Zoom In, Zumba Away". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  2. ^ Clark, Cammy (20 February 2012). "Zumba's Latin rhythms on the move in the fitness world". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Learn about Zumba Fitness | Zumba Classes". www.zumba.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  4. ^ Garcia, Darlin. "Zumba Is A Hit, But Is It Latin?". NPR.org. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Zumba Workout: Is it Truly an Effective Workout?". ACE Fitness. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  6. ^ "History of ZUMBA". 25 April 2016. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  7. ^ "¿De dónde viene el nombre "Zumba"? - CNN Video" – via edition.cnn.com.
  8. ^ "Zumba Fitness Announces Strategic Partnership with Top Media and Technology Firms" (PDF). Press release. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  9. ^ "Twitter Backer Insight Venture Partners Sees Great Potential in Former Street Performer Behind Zumba Exercise Craze". Reuters. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  10. ^ Crumpton, Mark. "zumba fitness CEO Perlman on Business Model, Growth". Bloomberg. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  11. ^ Ladha, Shubham (15 June 2019). "Shake up your routine with Zumba's intensity". Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  12. ^ "Zumba Beginner net (ズンバ初心者.net)". Zumba steps and basic movements (in Japanese). Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  13. ^ "Why You Should Give in to the Zumba Craze | Fitbie". Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  14. ^ "Why You Should Give in to the Zumba Craze". 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018..
  15. ^ Jane Alexander (30 March 2009). "Get fit dancing: Dance to a different beat with Zumba". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 April 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  16. ^ a b Luettgen, Mary; Foster, Carl; Doberstein, Scott; Mikat, Rick; Porcari, John (1 June 2012). "Zumba®: Is the "Fitness-Party" a Good Workout?". Journal of Sports Science & Medicine. 11 (2): 357–358. ISSN 1303-2968. PMC 3737860. PMID 24137072.
  17. ^ Ferreira, Luana (12 August 2019). "How a missing tape launched the Zumba craze". Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  18. ^ a b "About Zumba Fitness". Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  19. ^ "Zumba Classes - Dance fitness classes that are fun and effective". www.zumba.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  20. ^ "Zumba - Ditch the Workout, Join the Party". www.zumba.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  21. ^ "Aqua Zumba | Become a Licensed Water Aerobics Instructor". www.zumba.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Zumba Sentao Classes - Get a serious core workout | Zumba Fitness". www.zumba.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  23. ^ "Zumba Kids Classes - Kid-friendly dance fitness routines | Zumba Fitness". www.zumba.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  24. ^ "Zumbini - Bonding Starts Here". www.zumbini.com. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  25. ^ "Zumbini - Bonding Starts Here". www.zumbini.com. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  26. ^ "Zumba Fitness". Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  27. ^ "Zumba launches Plate by Zumba nutrition training". Well+Good. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  28. ^ "Top 10 Health Benefits of Zumba • Health Fitness Revolution". Health Fitness Revolution. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  29. ^ Delextrat, Anne; Neupert, Emma (9 April 2015). "Physiological load associated with a Zumba® fitness workout: a comparison pilot study between classes and a DVD". Journal of Sports Sciences. 34 (1): 47–55. doi:10.1080/02640414.2015.1031162. ISSN 0264-0414. S2CID 11077655.
  30. ^ Barbara Russi Sarnataro. "Zumba: Fun Is Secret Ingredient of Latin Dance Workout". WebMD. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  31. ^ Lindsey Getz. "Zumba Gold Program Attracts Elders". AgingWell. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  32. ^ Helmer, Jodi. "Zumba: Benefits and What to Expect". WebMD. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  33. ^ Domene, Pablo A.; Moir, Hannah J.; Pummell, Elizabeth; Knox, Allan; Easton, Chris (16 November 2015). "The health-enhancing efficacy of Zumba® fitness: An 8-week randomised controlled study". Journal of Sports Sciences. 34 (15): 1396–1404. doi:10.1080/02640414.2015.1112022. ISSN 0264-0414. PMID 26571136. S2CID 35777299.
  34. ^ "Zumba Instructor Convention". Zumba.com. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  35. ^ "ZIN™ Academy Tour". academies.zumba.com. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  36. ^ "'World's First' Zumba Cruise to Set Sail". ABC News. 8 June 2015.
  37. ^ "The secret to fitness craze Zumba's success?". The Independent. 7 September 2011. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  38. ^ a b Philby, Charlotte (8 September 2012). "Zumba: You get fit, they get rich". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015.
  39. ^ Elaine Blaisdell (24 January 2011). "'Exercise in disguise,' Zumba really catching on". Cumberland Times-News. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  40. ^ http://www.GreedyGirlsGuide.com, "5 Websites to Get Zumba Gear" Archived 2 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Zumba Information, 2013-25-11
  41. ^ Cindy Vanegas (11 April 2011). "Zumba Movement Catches On, Now Comes the Hard Part". Fox Business. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  42. ^ Soham Chatterjee (13 September 2011). "UPDATE 2-Zumba Fitness, new game launches boost Majesco outlook". Reuters. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  43. ^ "Zumba Fitness Rush by Majesco". GameStop. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  44. ^ "Zumba Fitness Core by Majesco". GameStop. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  45. ^ "Zumba Fitness World Party by Majesco". Majesco Entertainment Company. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  46. ^ "Zumba Kids by Majesco". Majesco Entertainment Company. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  47. ^ "Zumba Burn It Up!". Nintendo. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  48. ^ Sommer, Allison Kaplan (9 September 2013). "Haredi Rabbis Ban All-female Zumba Classes". Haaretz. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  49. ^ "Haredi Rabbis Outlaw Women-Only Zumba Classes". 9 September 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  50. ^ "Haredi Rabbis Outlaw Women-Only Zumba Classes". 9 September 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  51. ^ Erdbrink, Thomas (17 June 2017). "Iran Bans Zumba, and Its Fans Fume". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  52. ^ "Iran arrests six for Zumba dancing". 9 August 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2019.

External links edit

  • How I Built This - Zumba: Beto Pérez & Alberto Perlman