Z-KICKZ II Zumba Shoes Now Available from Zumba Fitness
First, Zumba Fitness introduced the Z1 Sneaker, Z-Top Shoes, and Z-Kickz Zumba shoes. Now, Z-Kickz II are available in 3 colors: Lollipop (black, pink, purple, & gray), Zumba Green (gray, neon green, & silver), and Aspen (gray & neon blue). The Zumba Green Z-Kickz II are also available in men’s sizes. Z-Kickz II are a little more affordable too: $60 USD for ZIN members!
Z-Kickz LOVE Limited-Edition Zumba Shoes
New limited-edition Z-Kickz athletic dance shoes are now available from Zumba! Introducing the Love Edition, just in time for Valentine’s Day:
DC Skate Shoes for Zumba
I started doing Zumba at a new studio, and I saw something I have never seen before: Skateboarding shoes in Zumba class.
What are skateboarding shoes, like DC Skate shoes designed for? Grip. Keeping the skater’s feet on his or her skateboard without slipping, sliding, or rocking off the board.
Is grip what you need for Zumba? Absolutely not!
Of course you don’t want to go sliding across the studio floor, but Zumba requires turns and twists. Your feet must be able to pivot or your ankle, knee, and hip joints will suffer. Skate shoes also do not allow the lateral movement required in the most basic of salsa moves in a Zumba class.
While skate shoes might look cool, they are not the right footware for Zumba.
Why is it so hard to find Zumba shoes?!?
Why is it so hard to find shoes for Zumba?!?
My search for good Zumba shoes started over two years ago after I experienced knee pain after Zumba. During Zumba class, I was having so much fun that I didn’t even notice that my usual gym shoes stuck to the studio floor. My knees were taking all kinds of the abuse while my foot was planted on the studio floor and my body twisted and turned and made lateral movements. After Zumba class, my knees ached.
In the beginning, I looked at everything from cross country “waffle” running shoes to wrestling shoes to indoor turf soccer shoes. I even got out my old Capezio athletic dance shoes from dance team performances in college.
Finally, I found Nike Musique IV. They were perfect – from the mesh upper to the sole to the price. Now, Nike Musique are cheerleading shoes with all leather uppers – not to mention, they are too ugly to wear to Zumba class.
I moved on to Nike Huarache. Cool, hip-hop style dance sneakers with a sock like upper and great soles and again, great price. Now, Nike discontinued them. A search for Nike Huarache will bring up hits for men’s soccer shoes.
I am currently using Reebok Zigs for Zumba. They are working… for now. My feet often go numb during class, but at least the ridiculous looking soles can turn on the studio floor, which saves me from knee and hip pain. They are expensive, but I found mine on a clearance rack at TJ Maxx.
I’ve seen everything from Sketchers to Puma to Ryka to Vibram FiveFinger barefoot running shoes to bare feet in my Zumba classes and no one seems really pleased with their Zumba footware. Men seem to have an even bigger struggle than women in finding good Zumba shoes.
Zumba currently sells Z-Kickz and Z Tops are coming out in November 2011. Buying shoes for Zumba from Zumba will cost you $75 to $95 USD.
Finding the right shoes for Zumba has been a struggle for me since I started teaching Zumba classes to years ago. What shoes are you wearing for Zumba right now? Would you (do you) recommend them to others?
Filed under Zumba | Tags: athletic dance, athletic dance shoes, bare, barefoot, capezio, cheerleader, cross country, dance team, feet, foot, good zumba shoes, gym shoes, huarache, hurache, IV, knee pain, knee pain and zumba, knees, musique, Nike, Puma, reebok, ryka, shape-ups, shapeups, shoes, sketchers, soccer, studio floor, turf, Vibram, waffle, wrestling, z tops, z-kickz, zigs, Zumba, Zumba shoes | Comment (0)New Zumba Shoes – Introducing Z Tops!
New Zumba Shoes from Zumba Fitness are coming the first week of November! The new Zumba Z Tops are available for pre-order now for ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network) instructors!
The Zumba Fitness Home Office announced this week:
The hottest innovation in Zumba® footwear is coming the first week of November. Be the first to get the shoe that works as hard as you do! Z-Top is the NEW ultimate dance-fitness shoe featuring customizable comfort, optimal support and maximum freedom of movement.
You (or your favorite ZIN Zumba instructor) can buy these Zumba shoes from the Zumba Fitness inline shop. The new Z Tops are on pre sale now for ZIN members on the online Zumba Shop for $74.95 for ZIN members or $94.95 regular price!
The Z Tops are described on the Zumba online shop:
Step it up with Z-Top, the revolutionary dance-fitness shoe featuring enhanced support and a non-marking rubber outsole for maximum sliding power and control. Two separate upper finishes allow you to choose your look!
- Interior “hidden wedge” and exterior Velcro strap cradle the foot
- Shoelace loop above the heel exterior offers additional ankle support
- Additional sock-lining included for those in need of extra support
- Ultra-breathable grey mesh finish provides a lightweight feel
- Raised mid & heel side walls for foot stability
- Ultra smooth central outsole with circular ridges to allow fluid movement while still providing grip
- Alternative sleek patent leather finish — perfect for on and off the dance floor!
Pumas for Zumba
Finding the right shoes for Zumba is very difficult. You need the support of an athletic shoe with the sole of a dance shoe.
Puma athletic shoes look like a dance shoe, right? They are narrow, light-weight, and have the tell-tale circle on the sole that indicates a sole that will allow turning and sliding. Unfortunately, Pumas are not a good choice for Zumba. They lack the necessary shock absorption needed for the high-impact moves of a Zumba class. Look at the sole of a Puma sneaker – it’s very thin. There is almost no rubber or cushion to help distribute the shock from impact with the floor.
One of my Zumba participants bought a pair of suede Pumas for Zumba class. She was excited about finding Pumas for Zumba because they were inexpensive and seemed to move on the studio floor like she had hoped they would. She was coming to my class at least twice a week. She was always in the front row and was nearly 6 feet tall – you couldn’t miss her.
Suddenly she disappeared from class. She had developed shin splints from the impact of Zumba while wearing her new non-supportive Puma sneakers to several Zumba classes per week. Mayo Clinic defines shin splints as follows:
Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints occur during physical activity and result from too much force being placed on your shinbone and connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone.
My participant’s shins splints were so bad there was visible bruising near her swollen ankles. She had to go to the doctor and could not participate in Zumba for six weeks. the doctor told her if she continued to do Zumba, the impact could give her stress fractures in her tibia bones. At the end of six weeks, she had to start with one Zumba class per week and she could not do any jumping – doctor’s orders.
The moral of the story, don’t wear unsupportive sneakers, like Pumas, for Zumba.
Reebok Zigs for Zumba
Awhile back I read that Alena (of Zumba with Alena) recommended Reebok ZIGS for Zumba. When I found a grey and pink pair in my size on sale at TJ Maxx, I decided to give them a try. Here is what I think about Reebok ZIGS for Zumba:
Pros:
Reebok ZIGS do not stick to studio floors. This is important because when your shoe sticks to the floor, your foot stays in one place while your ankle, knee, and hip twist and turn. I believe finding an athletic dance shoe that does not stick to the floor is the most important thing to look for in order to avoid joint pain after Zumba classes. Reebok ZIGS allow plenty of movement in all directions for Zumba classes, including turning, sliding, and gliding.
Reebok ZIGS provide adequate support. These are sturdy, robust athletic shoes that will absorb shock from high-impact moves during Zumba.
Reebok ZIGS are available in mens’ sizes for the handful of *wonderful* men who participate and instruct Zumba classes.
Reebok ZIGS are available online or in stores worldwide.
Cons:
Reebok ZIGS are ugly and attract a lot of attention. I picked up a pair of grey and pink Reebok ZIGS because they were my only option at TJ Maxx. They are so dark and clunky, I feel like I look like I’m wearing army boots to Zumba. I’m embarrassed to wear them outside of the studio, so I change my shoes immediately before and after Zumba class.
Reebok ZIGS are expensive. I found a pair at TJ Maxx for $35 USD. These shoes cost about $100 full price. That is too much for Zumba shoes in my opinion. I would not have bought a pair if I hadn’t find them on sale at discount store.
In summary, if you can afford to buy a pair of Reebok ZIGS for Zumba and don’t mind the way they look, go for it. The sole is what is needed for Zumba on studio floors. For now, Reebok ZIGS are my Zumba shoe of choice. As always, if you use Reebok ZIGS for Zumba, let me know what you think!
NEW: Z-Kickz Athletic Dance Shoes for Zumba by Zumba Fitness
All of my favorite athletic dance shoes for Zumba have been discontinued. First, it was the Nike Musique IV with the mesh upper. Then it was the Nike Huarache. I’ve tried regular running or cross-training shoes, but nothing feels right in Zumba class. What’s a Zumba lover like me supposed to do?
Zumba Fitness has an (expensive) new solution: Zumba Z-Kicks. According to the Zumba Shop:
When you want to break it down (which is probably all the time step it up with Z-Kickz, the ultimate dance-fitness shoe – with a kick!
- Super-breathable mesh
- Ultra lightweight
- No-tread
- Neon accents
- Reflective Zumba logos
At the time when this post was written, Zumba Z-Kicks athletic dance shoes were only available for women and cost $74.95 USD. With 50 reviews written by customers in the Zumba Shop, these shoes have a 4.6/5.0 customer rating… Not bad!
I personally cannot afford to spend $75 USD on athletic shoes that I am only going to wear for Zumba. I used to find my Nike Musique and Nike Huarche on sale in stores or online for around $35 USD. $75 USD is out of my price range so I am going to wait and keep looking for a more affordable alternative.
If you try Zumba Z-Kickz, let us know what you think by leaving a comment! Thanks!
Men’s Footware from Zumba Fitness
Finally! Men’s Z1 sneakers are athletic dance shoes from Zumba Fitness for Zumba Fitness!
According to the Zumba Fitness Shop:
Hey guys, this one’s for you — the all-new Z1 Sneakers for men! Athletic, sturdy, rugged and funky-cool to boot, these sneakers are built for optimum performance both in and out of Zumba® class. Constructed with a molded footbed and TPU for maximum support, and an ultra-breathable upper and midsole for total comfort, the new Z1 sneakers for him also have extra-tough pivot points to slide and grip on cue. With extra colored shoelaces, pair ‘em up with your favorite Zumbawear™ get-up and you’ll be ready to kick it into high gear!
The Z1 Zumba sneaker for men has mixed reviews, but if you’ve been searching for the right shoe, it might be worth the $75 to give them a try!
Vibram FiveFingers Shoes and Zumba
It was bound to happen: I finally saw a pair of Vibram FiveFingers shoes in one of my Zumba classes.
I do have people who occasionally go barefoot in my Zumba classes. Usually, it is because: A) They are professional or modern dancers and they choose to dance barefoot (like Shakira) or B) they forgot their athletic shoes and whatever shoes they were wearing were not appropriate for Zumba. Depending on the instructor, there can be a fair amount of pounding, jumping, twisting, and turning in Zumba. It is widely known that trained and untrained barefoot dance can cause a host of foot problems including blisters, calluses, bruises, pes planus (fallen arches or flatfeet), stress fractures, tendinitis, capsulitis, metatarsalgia, and more.
I am not a doctor, but in my opinion, using Vibram FiveFingers shoes for Zumba would only add insult to injury. Vibram FiveFingers shoes give users the feeling of being barefoot with the security of a performance rubber sole for sure grip and slip resistance.
Slip resistance and a sure grip is not what you want or need for Zumba. The increased grip of the sole will force the foot to stay in place and will lead to unnatural twisting of the ankle, knee, and hip during many dance moves in a typical Zumba class.
Do I recommend Vibram FiveFingers shoes for Zumba? No. If you truly want a natural experience, dance barefoot – and do so at your own risk. Proper footwear, like athletic dance shoes, absorb shock and protect the feet and legs from injury during high impact activity.
Save the Vibram FiveFingers shoes for barefoot running, strength training, yoga or Pilates, or after sport.
Filed under Zumba, exercise | Tags: athletic dance shoes, athletic shoes, bare foot, barefoot, blister, bruise, callus, capsulitis, Dance, fallen arch, Finger, Fingers, five, FiveFinger, FiveFingers, flat feet, flatfeet, metatarsal, metatarsalgia, modern dance, pes planus, pilates, Running, shakira, shoes, stress fracture, tendinitis, Vibram, yoga, Zumba, Zumba shoes | Comments (2)