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!

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!

“No Shoes Please” Zumba Class

A newly-certified Zumba instructor I know recently posted a new Zumba class on her schedule. It’s at a popular yoga studio and in the description, it is asked, “No shoes please!”

No shoes allowed? For a Zumba class? Really?

Kicking your shoes off at a wedding dance – we’ve all done that. But no shoes allowed for a Zumba class… All I can say is, “OUCH!”

Every Zumba instructor is different, but my classes involves high-impact dance moves like jumping and stomping. According to the article, “The Effects of Weight on Feet When Running” on Livestrong.com, when you run, each foot hits the ground with 3- to 4- times the force of your actual body weight with each step you take. In Zumba, your feet could take 2- to 4-times the force of your actual body weight with high-impact moves.

There are 26 bones in the foot. 26. Think about how small each bone has to be to fit 26 bones into your foot. Now, think about how much you weigh. Multiply that by 2- or even 4-times and imagine those 26 tiny little bones in your feet distributing 2- to 4-times your body weight for an hour long Zumba class. For me, that’s 115 pounds – 115 x 2=230 pounds to 115 x 4=460 pounds. Ouch.

Of course, one might argue barefoot running is gaining in popularity, why not barefoot Zumba? Well, to be fair barefoot running-related injuries are also becoming increasingly popular. So much so, that one article on Competitor.com calls it “The Barefoot Running Injury Epidemic.” If you do Zumba barefoot, chances are you are putting yourself at risk for foot and leg injury.

One might also think, Shakira dances barefoot, why can’t I? Well, Shakira’s dances moves are not high-impact – she usually has both feet on the floor. Shakira is obviously not a weekend Zumba warrior, she is a highly-trained dancer. Trainers and coaches most likely monitor her fitness to be sure her body, muscles, joints, and bones are able to support her dancing. She most likely has access to the best athletic trainers, physical therapists, and doctors at any given moment if any part of her body gives her pain.

If you see a Zumba class offered that requests, “No shoes please!”, I recommend looking for another Zumba class where you are allowed to wear a supportive pair of Zumba shoes.

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!

Minnesota Zumba Party Hearty – Sunday, May 22, 2011

Another Zumba Party Hearty is coming to Minnesota. Join your favorite instructors this Sunday, May 22, 2011 at Oak Grove Middle School in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Registration starts at 11:15am and the Zumbathon starts at 12:00pm. The cost is $10 for over 90 minutes of Zumba with 13 Zumba instructors from across the Twin Cities. 75% of the proceeds go to benefit the American Heart Association. Zumba has raised over $655,000 for the American Heart Association’s Go Red Por Tu Corazon Movement so far through Zumba events.

Photographer James Flint from Flint Images in Lakeville, MN will taking professional photos at the event. Zumbawear will be for sale at the event. There will also be door prizes including massages, t-shirts, and Minnesota Twins baseball tickets.

Oak Grove Middle School
1300 W 106th Street
Bloomington, MN 55431

For more information, visit the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179042402148224

How to Choose a Zumba Class

Always visit several Zumba classes before making a commitment to any instructor, class, or location. Here are some tips to finding the right Zumba class for you!

Location
Many health clubs, community centers, community education programs, colleges & universities, ballroom dance studios, martial arts studios, and corporations hold Zumba classes, but beware – not all locations are the same! Some classes are held in fitness studios with mirrors and hardwood floors, some classes are held gymnasiums with rubber floors, and some classes even held in carpeted meeting rooms or cafeterias! Choose a convenient location for you – something near home, work, school – whatever will get you to Zumba on a regular basis! It doesn’t matter how awesome the location is if you are not going to class!

Instructors
No two Zumba instructors are alike and variety is the spice of life, but let’s face it – there are good Zumba instructors and there are bad Zumba instructors. Some instructors teach choreography, some jump right in. Some instructors take breaks during class, some do not. Some instructors are all about hip hop and reggaeton, some focus on more “traditional” Latin dances. Try multiple instructors before you commit to one. Don’t worry about hurting your Zumba instructor’s feelings – it is all a matter of preference. The more you like your instructor(s), the more Zumba success you will have.

Classes
Zumba class should be good exercise, but it should also be fun that you look forward to! Find a class that suits you. Do you like the other people in class? Are they your age? Do you feel comfortable trying new moves and possibly making mistakes around them? Can you afford the fees? Classes are primarily female, but males are welcome to do Zumba! Some Zumba classes average 5-10 participants, while others average over 100! Do your research and find the right class for you!

Now you’re ready to use the Zumba class finder to find Zumba classes near you!

What Are Zumba Shoes?

One of my Zumba participants walked into Lady Foot Locker and asked for Zumba shoes. The LFL sales team looked confused and responded, “What are Zumba shoes?”

How embarrassing! Someone is willing to walking into an athletic shoe store and drop $60 to $110 USD on a pair of dance shoes and the sales team at a store like Lady Foot Locker doesn’t even know what Zumba is?

In an athletics store, you are most likely looking for Nike Musique athletic dance shoes. Ryka also makes a couple of styles of athletic dance sneaker, Ryka Studio D and Ryka Sync, and from what I’ve seen, they are similar to the Nike Musique. This type of shoe is used by cheer and dance teams at the high school and college levels so they are somewhat easy to find. They are attractive athletic shoes, but obviously not built for most sports. You’ll find them on the edge of the athletic shoe section, not mixed in with the running shoes. Because they are not common, they are also easy to find on the clearance rack if you are a bargain hunter.

There is also currently a Nike shoe called Nike Huarache. It is more of a hip hop dance shoe so you might find it mixed in with the street wear.

If you have access to a dance studio or dance supply store, look for Capezio or Bloch athletic dance sneakers. These sneakers are also worn by dance teams and instructors so they are easy to find. Capezio and Bloch sneakers usually have a split sole which allows more foot flexibility during dance training and performances. To me, the split sole takes away some of the stability of these athletic dance shoes. The split sole is why I personally chose NOT to wear them for Zumba – I need stability and support. However, I do know plenty of people who DO wear them for Zumba.

In stores, you will pay about $30 USD for Zumba shoes on the clearance rack. Full price, Zumba shoes will cost $60-$110 USD. Online, you have more options and better prices. You will find Nike Musique and Huarache and Ryka Studio D and Sync online. Discount dance supply stores sell Capezio and Bloch athletic dance sneakers online.

I hate to order shoes online, but I like online shoe store prices so I use a little trick. I go find the shoes I want in a shoe store, try them on, and make note of the size, style, and color. Then I go home and order the same shoes online. It take a little more time, but I think it’s worth it.

If you have a favorite brand or style of shoe that you use for Zumba, I would love to hear it!

Heart Rate Monitor for Zumba

Enough guessing. I’m buying a heart rate monitor for Zumba.

I’m a Zumba instructor and I track my diet and exercise through a free online fitness diary called hotcal. Until now, I’ve been using the cardio exercise entry “Dancing, aerobic, ballet or modern, twist” to track Zumba. According to my height, weight, age, and sex; I should burn about 272 calories in one 50-minute Zumba class.

As an instructor, I exaggerate all of my movements and give 100% during each song of each class. After Zumba classes, I am drenched from head to toe in sweat. I don’t think 272 is an accurate measure of the calories I burn in a typical Zumba class. That is why I’ve decided to buy a heart rate monitor.

After a little research, I’ve settled on the Polar FT60 heart rate monitor. This hr monitor comes with the fabric chest band with the snap on/snap off electronic brain. The fabric band was important because I’ve used hr monitors with the plastic band with the built in electronics. It was very uncomfortable and I can’t image doing Zumba while wearing a hard plastic band around my rib cage. As I mentioned, Zumba makes me sweat hardcore. I need equipment that I can rinse or it will be ruined in no time.

The FT60 is not cheap, but I am also a long distance runner and biker. I don’t need a foot pod or gps capability now, but these are optional add-ons to the FT60. I would not like to buy another heart rate monitor any time soon, but I may want to accessorize later.

The other nice thing about the women’s FT60 is that it is attractive. The band is magenta and the face is white and silver with decorations on the face. If I have to wear this thing daily, I might as well like the way it looks.

Stay tuned as I try out my heart rate monitor for Zumba.

Should I Buy a Heart Rate Monitor for Zumba?

I love teaching Zumba. I teach high intensity Zumba 4 times a week and Zumba Gold 2 times a week. I smile a lot and sweat a lot, but how do I know much exercise I am getting from Zumba class?

Until now, I have relied on free online calorie calculators and exercise diaries like hot cal to tell me how many calories I burn during exercise, including Zumba. I enter every food and beverage I consume each day and I enter every minute of exercise I do each day into hot cal. The site software uses my 1) Basal Metabolic Rate or BMR, 2) daily calorie needs based on my activity level, 3) net calorie needs, and 4) exercise bonus calories to calculate whether I’ve stayed within my daily calorie target to meet my personal fitness or weight loss goals.

I currently use the cardio exercise entry “Dancing, aerobic, ballet or modern, twist” to track Zumba. According to my height, weight, age, and sex; I should burn about 272 calories in one 50-minute Zumba class.

272 calories? That’s it? That can’t be right… Can it?

I think it’s time I invest in a heart rate monitor so I know exactly how many calories I burn in each Zumba class – not only for my own personal fitness, but to also allow me to use the music and moves that will get my Zumba class participants’ hearts pumping (safely, of course).

Stay tuned as I shop for my first heart rate monitor for Zumba!

Zumba with a Purpose

Attention Zumba lovers in Minnesota!

Zumba with a Purpose to benefit Toys for Tots with a $10 donation on December 12, 2009 from 1-3pm at Gold’s Gym in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. This Toys for Tots benefit will feature a group of local Zumba instructors and, keeping in the spirit of Toys for Tots, Marines.

Click here for more information and enjoy!