Zumba increased in popularity the past few years
If anyone has entered a gym or dance studio in the past year or so they may have noticed Latin music being played.
Zumba classes do not look like a typical fitness class; half the lights are off giving it more of a club feel. The room was completely full with mostly females and three males. The instructor is leading the class and at the same time motivating them to dance.
The class is taken place at Health and Racquet Club a fitness-oriented gym. There were a couple of classes that were fully packed showing that the craze will not slow down anytime soon.
Angi Purrington, the instructor, said she thinks Zumba is so popular because it allows people to dance.
“I used to love going out dancing but I hated going out at 11 p.m. So now, I get to party with amazing people Wednesday through Saturday and I am home before 9 p.m.,” she said.
Solange Gomez, a participant of Purrington’s Zumba class, said she was first introduced to Zumba about a year ago.
“I don’t particularly care for dance classes as they make me feel like a fool, but this Zumba class made me feel like I could really dance,” Gomez said. “It gave me the confidence to continue taking the class.”
According to Zumba.com, a website about the fitness program, Alberto “Beto” Perez, a Miami-based dancer, created the hip dance-fitness program in 2001 and it has spread since then. It has become an international obsession as one of the world’s largest and most successful dance-fitness program.
Viktoriya Kruglyak, who teaches at Flatbush Park Jewish center in Bergen Beach, has been teaching Zumba since September 2011 and has been certified since August 2011.
As a competitive ballroom dance for 12 years, she has noticed a few differences in Zumba. “Ballroom dance was always very strict and there was a specific way of doing it and it’s serious and competitive,” she said. “Zumba is more care free and fun. You don’t have to do it right you just keep moving and have fun.”
Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms and high-energy Latin and international beats. The energetic Latin music and stimulating, easy-to-follow moves, and the invigorating, party-like atmosphere can be one of the reasons why Zumba is increasing in popularity.
Kruglyak started going to Zumba classes in April 2011 and became motivated to teach the dance to students.
“I was inspired to become a teacher because I felt that I could give really great life changing classes. Health and fitness have always been very important to me and I wanted to help others,” Kruglyak said. “Because of my prior teaching of ballroom dance and my fitness background I knew I would be a good instructor and if I can change lives and make money doing it while at the same time getting a good workout it seemed like a no brainier.”
The notion behind combining easy dance steps in this type of workout is to help those who have a negative association with exercise, re-frame their attitude about fitness.
“Zumba is a free for all at least in my class. I always say ‘as long as you’re moving.’” said Purrington. “People just need the courage to move, and then a dance comes from that. Zumba is an aerobic/dance class that gives “versions” of salsa, Cumbia, hip hop, etc.”
Purrington, who did not have a dance background, said instructors don’t need to be dancers in order to teach Zumba.
“I was working as a freelance make up artist at the time in New York City and needed a career change,” she said. “AI was a massage therapist in California and had decided to go back to school to get my New York License. Reebok was the first place I got hired.
“I have never taught a group fitness class before that needless to say, I had a busy summer of teaching my body how to move correctly. It definitely helped going to massage school,” Purrington said. “My education has led me to where I am now with my business with MyMa Movement. It’s about body awareness and I use this ideology in all my fitness classes and private training.”
Kruglyak believes that Zumba is important and that its growth comes from the dance itself and its students.
“Fitness in general became very important and Zumba is much more fun than going to the gym so people love it,” she said. Zumba gives you a good work out, allows you to relax have fun and forget all your problems and that’s the main reason for its growth.”
Reported By: Anthony Astacio