Zumba fitness

  Zumba fitness is the only Latin-based dance fitness program. Zumba uses a blend of red hot international music that is created by Grammy Award winning producers, according to zumba.com.

  This dance party workout was created in 2001 and since then, has grown into the world's largest and most successful dance workout. 

  Alberto "Beto" Perez is the one who is credited for creating Zumba. In the 1990s, Perez was teaching a fitness class when he forgot his traditional music. Instead he used his own mix of music which was salsa and merengue. Suddenly, Perez created a dance-fitness work out.

  This workout focused on letting the music move the person.

Gina Tamburro, Muskingum University's Coordinator for Student Involvement and Zumba instructor, started getting involved with Zumba when her friends from home took classes at a YMCA and told her that it was fun.

  "I decided to become an instructor [in] In May 2011. I was passionate about it [and] I enjoyed going to classes," Tamburro said.

At the time, Tamburro was interviewing for college jobs and thought of it as something she could add to her resume.

  "I took Zumba for a year and a half and went to class 2 to 3 times a week," Tamburro stated. 

    Before she decided she wanted to become an instructor.  .

Tamburro estimated that it takes her around 30 to 45 minutes to learn a new song and be able to teach it to her class. She will practice her routines at home and listen to the music in the car to prepare for teaching.

  Tamburro started teaching classes at Muskingum University this semester, her classes are Tuesday's and Thursday's at 5p.m. in the Chess Center Social Hall.

  "As a new staff member I wanted to get to know the students, I saw the need for exercise classes at the school," Tamburro said.

Zumba is something that students can practice outside of class, Tamburro posts her playlist on OrgSync for students to have. 

  "It's a fun, total-body workout. You use everything from your fingers to your toes," Tamburro stated.

  Junior Ellen Conkey who is one of Tamburro's Zumba students joined a gym over the summer and thought it was a lot of fun. Conkey likes the fact that it's a group of people who can't really dance.

  "People don't judge you, you are there to have fun and mingle with others, Conkey stated.

  One of Conkey's favorite songs from the class is Its Time for Africa by Shakaria. She says that it's more fun when you know the song, you can sing and dance to it at the same time.

  "Gina is a really good teacher, she interacts with us, she doesn't stay in one spot, she comes into our area and dances with us. It's a really fun time and a fun way to work out."

4 fun facts about Zumba

1. 5 million people participate in Zumba every week.
2. You can burn 500 - 800 calories in a one hour class.
3. Zumba classes are taught in over 40,000 locations in 75 different countries.
4. The word Zumba is a Colombian slang word for "buzz like a bee" or "move very fast."

Gina's Playlist

• Who Dat Girl - Flo Rida
• Na De Na - Angel Y Kriz, Gocho & John Eric
• Rabosia - Shakira feat. Pitbull
• Un Mes - Mara
• Livin' La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
• Party Rock Anthem - LMAFO
• Waka Waka - Shakira
• Iko Iko - Captin Jack
• El Amor, El Amor - Zumba Fitness
• Pa'la Discoteka a Baliar -
• Zumba Fitness
• Give Me Everything -
• Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer
• Pegate - Grupo Treo
• Slide - Zumba Fitness
• Say Hey - Michael Franti & Spearhead
• Pause - Pitbull
• Free Me - Joss Stone

Zumba classes are offered every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Chess Center Social Hall. Open to all current Muskies.

How to become a Zumba instructor

1. Experience the class and be passionate about teaching.
2. Log onto zumba.com, click instructor training, then click Zumba Basic or Zumba Gold.
3. Find training near you.
4. Sign up and pay for training.
5. Attend the 6-8 hour training.

Zumba InstructorTraining Levels

• Zumba Basic Steps Level 1 - This level teaches instructors the basics of how to teach Zumba.
• Zumba Basic Steps Level 2 - This level teaches instuctors four more rythms for teaching.
• Zumba Gold - This level is for instructors who want to teach the older and more active populatuon.
• Zumba Toning - This level teaches instructors body sculping techniques.

7 reasons why Zumba is good for you

1. Zumba is a great form of exercise. You can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour.
2. Everyone should be engaging in exercise 4-5 days per week, so why not dance?
3. Exercising raises your endorphins, Zumba releases a lot of these.
4. It is a happy exercise and you will leave feeling energized.
5. If it is done consistently and properly weight loss can occur.
6. You can learn new dance styles from around the world.
7. It's a great way to meet new people and form new friendships.