Zumba
An advertising tag line says” Latin America's latest dance craze is so infectious you won't even notice you're exercising.” I can certainly vouch for this following my attendance at my first zumba class recently.
I have loved Latin music for many years and have always found it very difficult to keep still whilst listening to it so when I had the chance (and time) to try out a class at a local Leisure Centre I jumped at it – literally!
The class I attended was during the day and comprised of mainly female (with one very game male) and the average age was perhaps 45. The steps were quite easy to follow, building up to a sequence which was choreographed perfectly to the music. If you lost your way during the sequence it did not seem to matter as long as you kept moving and joined in when you could pick up the sequence again.
Everyone seemed to be having a great time and I certainly left feeling as if I had had a great workout and felt energized and weary all at the same time.
My only regret is that Zumba was not around when I was younger and had more energy!
There are classes literally everywhere up and down the country – I found this one on the internet but the first place to look is in leisure centres, gyms, dance halls and local working men’s clubs.
Some of the videos on the internet (mainly American) show that each class will vary; some preferring high tempo and complicated moves to a range of Latin, African, hip hop and even elements of belly dancing. Each class I am sure is different and I would recommend you try one to see if it suits you. The ones on the internet also vary, some showing basic steps and others more complex routines which require differing levels of fitness and expertise.