If you’ve been a HerCanberra reader for a while, you’ll know I’m completely obsessed with Zumba. For our second Fitness Roadtest, we look at this worldwide phenomenen.

I discovered Zumba last Winter and it (honestly) changed my life. Everyone has their ‘thing’ when it comes to exercise…some like to run (personally, I’d rather stick pins in my eyes)…others love Spin classes (see last comment). My thing is Zumba.

Why? It’s just so much FUN! Seriously, I smile the entire way through the class. A lot of that is due to my amazing instructors – Kiki Hernandez and Andy Jauregui of Latin Beat Fitness. They make the entire session so joyful…and, oh boy, do you get an amazing workout. I burn up to 700 calories in an hour-ish class. Take that, Spin!

So, what is Zumba? It’s dance fitness to latin and world music. In the course of a class, you could salsa, samba, merengue, get a little bit hip-hop or even channel some Bollywood. The choreography is drawn from lots of different cultures.

But, and this is important, you don’t need to be able to dance to do Zumba. Think more along the lines of what we know as ‘aerobics’ with a lot of spice, energy, and shimmying!

No two Zumba classes are the same…instructors are sent DVDs each month with choreography, but they can change it up as much as they like. This means that, if you find you don’t dig one Zumba class so much, you can find another one that you love. As well as doing classes with Andy and Kiki, I also Zumba with Fitness First – one instructor’s classes I really like, the other’s I’m a bit ‘meh’ about. Different strokes…

It’s all about the individual and their background as to what the class is about…Kiki’s background is fitness, so her classes are predominantly focussed around this element; other instructors may come from the dance world, and their routines will reflect that. It’s all about what you find the most enjoyable!

Usually? You can’t understand the lyrics in the music…but just sing along anyway (I’m sure, hailing from Bolivia and Ecuador respectively, Andy and Kiki secretly laugh their arses off at me tunelessly warbling something-that-sounds-remotely-Spanish..but no matter!)

And, because I Zumba at home as well, my girls both have their fave tunes and wander around the house singing them (which is a lovely complement to the Spanish they’ve already learnt from Dora and Diego.)

I won’t lie to you…you probably won’t get all the moves the first class. Maybe not even the second. But as you learn the songs, and the choreography, you can work harder and just let yourself go with the music.

And you know what? If you don’t know the steps, it doesn’t matter…do your own thing! Seriously, everyone is so focussed on their own dancing that they’re not watching you. And, hey, you can always hide up the back if you’re really shy…

My first ever class was comprised of complete Zumba virgins. Every time Andy and Kiki encouraged us to shake our hips we’d dissolve into giggles…and there wasn’t a lot of coordination. Fortunately, there were also NO MIRRORS (in my head I am JLo…)

But by the end of the term, those nervous, hesitant hipshakers thought nothing of getting a little bit sexy. Andy encourages us to “practice at home…your husbands will like it….” Either that, or think we’re having some kind of involuntary muscle spasm.

In terms of what it’s done to my body, I think my muscles have become longer and leaner – even though there’s no ‘weight’ component, the moves really work your arms, stomach and legs (and samba is magic for your calves!)

Zumba is now the only exercise I do…I mix up the traditional cardio with Zumba toning (which uses maraca-like toning sticks) and that’s me sorted. I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to keep fit!

But all of this is just my opinion…if you want to hear why Zumba is so great from someone who has lived and breathed it for the last few years, read on.

The lovely Kiki has been seriously into fitness since she was 15 years old, and has taught everything from Les Mills to ‘freestyle’ aerobics (what anyone in their 30s would have grown up with) to boxing to boot camps. I asked her to explain a bit more about Zumba and why it’s taken the fitness world by storm.

Why do YOU love Zumba?

Zumba is DIFFERENT! It’s fun, its engaging, it’s that place where you find yourself letting go, enjoying the moment. Trust me…in a Zumba class you’re not thinking about what you’re going to cook for dinner or about any job that’s waiting for you afterwards.

I’ve spent nine years in the fitness industry and I have never felt more confident with my body! The ongoing benefits of Zumba are what keep my passion for this program going.

For the uninitiated – what exactly IS Zumba?

Well from my point of view it’s addictive…the music draws you in. You don’t have to understand what the lyrics are, therefore it’s your interpretation of the music. No one is shouting at you, or telling you that you have to move faster or stronger. With Zumba you listen to your body and follow the instructor’s easy,  repetitive movements.

It may take a class or two to really understand the routines, but you will walk away learning how to salsa or samba! My advice is to walk into a Zumba class with an open mind and heart…it will boost your confidence while increasing energy, health and movement.

What are the benefits?

Zumba will shape and transform your body! I have seen some amazing transformations in terms of confidence, in fitness, and physical appearance. And I’m not only talking about our students, but  myself and others in our team of instructors and myself.

Zumba fitness is delivered in what we call interval training, where we take the body to its maximum working effort and then balance it out to a slight recovery; then back up again and then back down; and so on for the duration of the class. This means you are using a lot more energy (calories) even after the work out is finished.

If you already exercise it’s a great way to get out of that same exercise routine and stop your body from hitting that wall where you can’t see physical changes anymore.

The body is meant to MOVE! And Zumba will awaken your movement skills. Think of dancers – they’re so agile and flexible…now combine that with strength, agility and drive, and you have the benefits of Zumba Fitness.

I also love how all the kids that come get involved to our daytime Mamacita classes learn directly from their parents the importance of fitness and fun!

What would you say to HerCanberra readers who are perhaps a little intimidated by the thought of shimmying in front of a class of other women?

I love when a new person will introduce themselves at the beginning of a class, and let me know it’s their first Zumba class and how scared they are. But then at the end of the class (and this is my favourite part) they come back to me with smiles and relaxed saying they can’t wait for more! Give it a go – you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Want to give it a try yourself? To find a class near you – visit the Zumba website. It’s the perfect time – the start of a new term means we’ll all be learning new moves, and laughing and stumbling around together!

In a special HerCanberra offer Latin Beat Fitness is giving Mamacitas a chance to shake it at 9:30am every Thursday at the Wesley Uniting Church Hall, National Circuit,Forrest. Nannies entertain your kidlets while you shake it! Mention HerCanberra and pay just $10 for your trial AND bring a friend for free…doesn’t get any better! Email latinbeatfitness@gmail.com to find out more.