Fitness program- A phrase that immediately makes you think of hardcore workouts and strenuous exercises. But are all workouts meant to be so draining? The answer is- NO.
Lately, the fitness world has been abuzz with a fun-yet-effective program- Zumba. You may also have heard about it. So, what is Zumba? Zumba workout is nothing but choreographed aerobic movements on highly energetic music. It incorporates two very fun elements – dance and music. An amalgamation of various dance forms like hip-hop, salsa, merengue, samba and many more; Zumba fitness programs are suitable for people of any age group. Just dance to the rhythm of upbeat music and lose some weight while you enjoy yourself.
Zumba workout is highly effective and is a great way to burn calories and fat. Here are some benefits of Zumba training that’ll make you join a class right away.
Burns down those calories:
This is one of the best benefits of a Zumba workout for all those who want to lose some weight and burn belly fat. Zumba incorporates interval training, which means that you go from fast-paced movements to slower rhythms which in turn accelerates fat-burning in your body. To adjust to this change in dynamic, your body needs energy which it gets by burning calories and fat reserves in your body. On an average, a person can burn as high as 800-1000 calories for every 60 minutes spent doing Zumba for weight loss.
Provides a Full Body Workout:
Another major benefit of opting for a Zumba fitness program is that it is a complete body workout and tones your body from top to bottom. From head and shoulder rolls to arm and leg movements- every part of your body is involved and no part remains idle. While the arm and shoulder movements strengthen the upper half of your body, your legs tones your thighs, glutes and many other muscles when they move to the rhythm of the music. Squats and lunges are also a part of the Zumba routine and help tone your body.
Boosts your Cardio Endurance:
Zumba is a very energetic and enthusiastic kind of workout that lets you reach the target heart rate in a very short span of time, all because of the hip music that has almost 145 beats per minute. This kind of aerobic cardiovascular exercise is highly crucial in keeping your heart and lungs healthy and efficient for the long run. The more efficient the heart and lungs, the more oxygen and blood your muscles get and thus, they’ll be able to work harder before they get tired and as a result, your cardio endurance will go up a notch.
Improves your Coordination:
One of the Zumba benefits is that it improves your coordination and motor skills to a great extent. Since Zumba is a choreographed exercise, it requires you to keep up with the moves that are being taught to you. Your mind and body work together to make sure you are doing the same steps as others while being in-sync with the beats of the music. This kind of routine helps improve your coordination to a great extent.
Makes you more flexible:
Zumba workout is great for enhancing your flexibility. As it involves movements, postures, and steps inspired from various dance forms, your limbs and muscles move in ways that they normally don’t. This, in turn, increases the range of motion of your joint limbers and increases your flexibility effectively. Improved flexibility and wide range of motion is beneficial in many ways and is crucial in reducing joint and muscle injuries.
Suitable for Everyone:
Another big benefit of Zumba is that anyone can do it. Whether you are a beginner who doesn’t know much about dancing and are looking for some low-intensity exercise or someone who’s looking for something more advanced, there’s something for each of you. Zumba is quite a versatile routine and there are many kinds of Zumba classes tailor-made for your needs.
Can be done at Home:
Yet another benefit of Zumba training is that it can be done in the comfort of your home. Many a time you don’t feel like going out of your house to a gym or studio for the sake of exercise. In that case, you can have your Zumba session at your home. All you need is enough space to move around and a highly-energetic playlist of upbeat songs. You can consult a Zumba workout video or a book for some additional help and you’re sorted.
Mood Booster:
Zumba is a happy fitness program- it relieves your stress and anxiety and fills you with positive energy as you dance to the rhythm of the music. Whenever you exercise, Endorphins (also known as happy hormones) are released in your bloodstream. These endorphins and upbeat music will improve your mood in no time and will make you forget about all your worries. A healthy body starts with a healthy mind, and Zumba can help you achieve both.
Improved Confidence:
All those dance moves not only help you burn calories but also help in lowering your inhibitions, improving your posture and feeling good about yourself. These changes will reflect on your mood and help you be more confident about yourself. You’ll be a happier, stress-free version of yourself – a much-improved version that’ll be more healthy, toned and comfortable in your own skin.
Zumba is Fun!
And above all, Zumba is something that is far more enjoyable than most of the other workouts. It is one of the many reasons that people keep going back for these classes- you get to dance on music with a bunch of people and lose weight. No matter how crappy your mood is, Zumba will definitely change it for better. And not to forget, you get to meet new people who have similar interests as you and is a great way to socialize as well.