Love Zumba? Try SALSArobics!

I had the pleasure of trying SALSArobics at the Chicago International Salsa Congress in Chicago, Illinois February 16-19, 2012. Each day of the Salsa Congress started with a 9am, 1-hour session of SALSArobics.

SALSArobics was founded in 1988 by Columbian-born Esther Gutierrez Sloan. It’s a fun way to learn Latin dance moves while exercising. If you like Zumba, you will love SALSArobics. Esther chooses popular Latin music and breaks down the basic steps and slowly builds them up and modifies the moves until voila, you’re dancing around the room!

SALSArobics is like Zumba in the way that it is exercise based on Latin dance. We danced everything from salsa, merengue, cha cha, belly dance, bachata,… even lambada, the forbidden dance!

SALSArobics is different from Zumba in many ways. There is little or no choreography in SALSArobics. The dance steps are authentic Latin dance moves that travel around the room. I found more opportunity in SALSArobics for individuals to modify the workout to add intensity or more complicated dance moves if they chose to do so.

I will hopefully be adding a SALSArobics class to my schedule  soon. If you’re ever in the greater Chicago area, be sure to check out a SALSArobics class from Esther or one of her SALSArobics instructors!

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:

Bloch Dance Sneakers for Zumba

I see a lot of Bloch dance sneakers like the Bloch Trinity, Bloch Twist, and Bloch Wave in my Zumba classes.

The nice thing about Bloch dance sneakers is that they are available for women AND men. Bloch sneakers are affordable and easy to find and buy online.

If you’re considering buying Bloch dance sneakers for Zumba, please keep in mind that Bloch sneakers are designed primarily for dancing – not high-impact group fitness classes like Zumba. Bloch sneakers might work for Zumba for light people with strong, healthy feet or low-impact Zumba like Zumba Gold or Curves Zumba in the Circuit. Some people might think their feet are strong and healthy until they experience arch pain due to the lack of support.

Split sole dance sneakers are designed for flexibility and precision, such as pointing ones toes during a dance performance. Bloch sneakers with a split sole do not offer the arch support necessary for the jumping, pounding, and stomping choreography in many Zumba classes, especially for those people with more body weight to absorb.

Give the Gift of Zumba

Are you still Christmas shopping? (Don’t feel bad – I haven’t even started.) Why not give the gift of Zumba?!?

For the athlete… You already know she (or he) likes to exercise. Why not help them mix up their workout with Zumba?

For the dancer… You already know she (or he) loves to dance. Why not give them the gift of a workout they’re going to love?

For the couch potato… OK, she (or he) says she doesn’t like to exercise. She says she doesn’t dance. Zumba is the perfect gift for that couch potato of any age you’d like to start exercising. All she has to do is follow along. There are no rules. There is no right or wrong. Just keep moving and pretty soon, she’s dancing and exercising!

How can you give the gift of Zumba?

DVD’s: Two sets of Zumba DVD’s are available through the Zumba shop or Amazon.com. Zumba DVD’s let you start doing Zumba right in the comfort (and privacy) of your own home.

Video Game: Two Zumba video games are available for Wii, Playstation, and XBox Kinect. These are video games that will make you sweat, again, in the comfort (and privacy) of your own home,

Live Class: Pick up a punch card or gift certificate to a gym or group fitness studio near your loved one that offers Zumba classes. Some Curves locations now offer Zumba in the Circuit. There are Zumbatomic classes for kids and Zumba Gold classes for beginners, deconditioned exercisers, or older adults. Ask your favorite Zumba instructor for recommendations!

Happy holidays!

Christmas Gifts for Zumba Lovers

Do you have a Zumba lover in your life? Want to give them a Christmas gift they’re going to love? Here are some Christmas gift ideas from a Zumba lover for Zumba lovers:

Zumba Wear
Some people wear their everyday gym clothes to Zumba, but Zumba wear is different than gym clothes. It’s a cross between street wear and dance wear. Zumba wear is available from the Zumba online shop and will cost you anywhere from $14.95 for a pair of Zumba flip flops to $94.95 for a pair of Zumba athletic dance shoes. A safe bet for any Zumba lover is a top to wear to class. A Zumba wear top will cost you anywhere form $14.95 to $39.95 + shipping. Shop now if you want it to arrive by Christmas!

Zumba DVDs
The gift that keeps on giving – a Zumba class right in your very own home! There are two authetic Zumba DVD sets available: the Total Body Transformation System (as seen on TV) or the Zumba Exhilarate DVD Experience. There is even a set of Zumba DVD’s for children called Zumbatomic. The DVD sets are expensive ($89.95 for Exhilarate on Zumba.com, $49.95 for TBTS on Amazon.com), but contain five DVDs including a live workout and choreography to tone the arms, abs, buns, and thighs. Shop for DVDs on Zumba.com or Amazon.com.

Zumba Video Game
I was lucky enough to participate in the Best Buy release of the original Zumba Fitness video game for Kinect on the XBox 360 at the Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minnesota last year and let me tell you, it is amazing! The Zumba Fitness video game is available for Wii and Playstation and WILL give you a workout. This year, the Zumba Fitness 2 video game is also available for Wii. Shop for DVDs on Zumba.com or Amazon.com.

Here are some other ideas for Zumba lovers:

• Dance lessons – Maybe they’re ready to start salsa dancing???
• Exercise clothes – Bright, neon colors are popular in Zumba classes. Popular exercise clothing brands in my classes: lululemon athletica, lucy, C9 from Champion available at Target, Victoria’s Secret PINK (yes, Victoria’s Secret), Old Navy
• Hip Scarf – Belly dance and Bollywood songs in Zumba have inspired some Zumba lovers to wear colorful hip scarves during class.

Zumba lovers, do you have any other suggestions?

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!

No More Nike Athletic Dance Shoes for Zumba

As a Zumba instructor, I’ve owned many pairs of athletic dance shoes for Zumba. My favorites have always been Nike brand so I have to ask:

Why Nike? Why do you continue to discontinue the best athletic dance shoes for Zumba?

First to disappear was the Nike Musique IV with mesh uppers. The Nike Musique athletic dance shoes that continue to exist consist of stiff, leather uppers that look like silly cheerleader shoes. No thank you.

The last pair of shoes I bought for Zumba were Nike Huarache. I bought them in March and after just 3 months of use, I noticed both shoes already had small holes in the fabric on top of my foot near my little toes. Time to buy another pair, right? Wrong!

It appears Nike Huarache athletic dance shoes are no longer available.

And so again, I am searching for the best shoes for Zumba.

Belly Dance Hip Coin Scarf for Zumba

I occasionally wear a belly dance hip scarf with coins for Zumba. I think the color and the movement of the coins at my waist remind my Zumba participants to use their hips more often during the Latin dance moves of Zumba classes. I often try to motivate Zumba participants to add more  “hips and hands” when they are comfortable with the footwork involved in Zumba Fitness to take their workout to the next level.

I won my hip scarf at a Zumbathon, a Zumba fundraiser event for charity, but many people ask me where they can buy a hip scarf with coins for Zumba. Here are some possibilities:

International Markets
International markets often have Middle Eastern vendors that sell hip scarves, but please be aware of the quality of the hip scarf you are buying. The low-end hip scarves are perfect for Zumba and could cost you $5-20 USD. Do not pay more than $20 for a low-end hip scarf because these hip scarves are “disposable” – you will have to replace it often. It will get sweaty and the coins may tarnish. The strand of thread could break and you could lose a string of beads and coins.

In Minnesota, the Festival of Nations International Bazaar held annually in early May is one place to find several vendors that sell coin hip scarves for Zumba. The Midtown Global Market also has vendors that may (or may not) sell coin hip scarves for Zumba.

Online
Search for “coin hip scarf for Zumba” on Google, and you will see there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of online sources of coin hip scarves for Zumba. Many vendors sell in bulk at a discount so if you are considering buying online, you might want to talk to your Zumba friends and see if anyone is interested in splitting the order with you. As always, please be aware of the quality of the hip scarf you are buying. The low-end hip scarves are perfect for Zumba and should cost you $5-20 USD each. Do not pay more than $20 for a low-end hip scarf because these hip scarves are “disposable” – you will have to replace it often.

I recommend starting with a search for coin hip scarf on eBay, Amazon, or another trusted online shopping source.

Please keep in mind that there are also very elaborate, beautiful, high-end hip scarves with coins available for performance dance. When you hear the low, rich tone of the coins and feel the weight of the beads, you will know the high quality of the costume hip scarf. These high-end hip scarves are very heavy and expensive and probably not appropriate for a Zumba class because of the cost, weight, and potential beadwork disaster that would stop class if a strand of thread broke.