Zumba Class
Zumba combines the thrill of partying at a Latin dance club with the health benefits of an aerobic workout, such as increased heart and lung function and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Throughout Zumba class you’ll alternate between slow and fast beats for interval-style training.
The steps are simple enough for novice dancers – and unlike other cardio dance classes, Zumba allows room for interpretation so you don’t need to stress over whether or not your moves are perfect.
A study in the American Journal of Health Behavior showed that when women with type 2 diabetes and obesity did Zumba three times a week for 16 weeks, they lost an average of 2.5 pounds and lowered their percentage of body fat by 1%. More importantly, the women enjoyed the class so much that they made it a habit-very unusual for an aerobic exercise program. “After the study had ended, most the participants contin- ued going,” says study coauthor Jamie Cooper, an associate professor at the University of Georgia. “It seems like most of them had fun, made friends and didn’t see Zumba as hard work.” The workout-in-disguise has unique physical and mental health benefits.
Another study linked Zumba’s hip-swinging, stomach-gyrating movements to increased core and trunk strength kat disentul secure am and better balance in older overweight women.
