Zumba combines dance moves for fitness

Zumba is one of the many classes the Centennial Center has to keep Georgia College students fit. It’s a form of exercise that is a great way to have fun with friends while sculpting and toning your body.

Zumba is an aerobic fitness program that originated in the 1990’s in Colombia and is inspired by Latin dance. It is enjoyed by men and women of all ages. According to Juliya Dance Academy’s website, classes are taught by nearly 20,000 instructors in more than 35 countries throughout the world.

The exercise is an active dance workout that keeps you engaged and having a lot of fun. It is based on interval training, alternating between fast and slow and also includes some resistance training.

It is a great cardio workout and also tones and sculpts your entire body. One of the great things about Zumba is that it is easy to do it with a huge group of friends.

One of the most fun parts about taking one of these classes is the upbeat music. It typically uses a variety of music including salsa, hip-hop, Flamenco, Reggae, Cha-Cha, rap and much more.

The fun music elevates moods and reduces stress. Fast, upbeat music is one of the many qualities that makes Zumba a workout that appeals to many. The pulsating rhythms encourage participants to get up and get moving.

Zumba requires no prior dance or fitness experience, which is another appealing quality about the class. It is designed to be accessible to all skill levels. The choreography is kept simple and it is designed so you can get a work out without feeling the stress of exercise.

“I love Zumba because you don’t even realize you are exercising,” said Marissa Hicks, a senior biology major at Georgia College and Zumba instructor at Centennial Center.

Dancing is a way to burn fat and calories. According to Fitness after Fifty’s website, Zumba dancing is said to burn around 600 to 1000 calories in just one hour.

“I think that Zumba is so great because I get a great workout while enjoying the dance routines. As a former dancer, it keeps me in shape and in touch with the dancing I did in high school. I love Zumba and recommend it to anyone who enjoys combining dance and workout,” said junior nursing major, Suzanne Intorcia.

Zumba is something anyone can do in a class or in the comfort of home using a Zumba DVD. Zumba classes are offered free of charge for students and faculty at Georgia College’s Centennial Center Monday through Thursday every week. The scheduled times are Mondays at 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Wednesdays at 9 a.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m.