Zumba Workshop 101

If you want to become really good at Zumba and hopefully teach it to different individuals, you need to join some workshops. These are available in almost all states in America, as well as several other cities around the globe. Consistency and discipline is the key if you aim to become certified. Knowing the details and understanding what to expect are also essential.

Skills Needed

Do not worry so much about your current skills since everyone who joins the workshop is not expected to be much of an expert. However, there are some requirements needed to become a truly good and certified Zumba instructor. Dance background can help a lot since you need to immediately pick up the rhythm to teach other exercisers. Another thing that could help is having a background in teaching fitness and dance. Zumba is mainly taught using visual cues, since the program wants to let students listen and enjoy the music more.

Music can greatly motivate students to move, shake and have fun. It is very easy to teach visually. Teaching more will help you quickly signal the students that there are new steps arriving first. A number of teachers also use microphones present in health clubs for added verbal backup. Both visual and verbal methods are highly effective in teaching.

Where the Workshops Are

There are plenty of areas where you can have a Zumba workshop. In most cases, health clubs host Zumba classes, job openings and workshops all around the United States, as well as other countries. You can sign up immediately. There are also other places that require prior reservation. On the average, a workshop can last anywhere between 1 and 2 days. Expense in joining will be around $150 to $300 or more, depending on the instructor, venue and lesson.

If you intend to hold your very own workshops, other ideal places include dance or yoga studies, yacht clubs and community centers. You may rent the space or get one of your own, provided that you already have a strong following. You can actually have a workout almost anywhere. It is ideal, however, to have someplace with mirrors so you can watch your movements.

The Next Level

Aside from Zumba Basic and Zumba Gold, there is also Zumba Basic Steps level 2. It is a new workshop which includes concentrating and learning 4 basic steps namely the Samba, Flamenco, Tango and Belly Dancing. Although several Zumba instructors already include these dances in their programs, the workshop provides more time and focus to the rhythms and backup the formula, so that individuals can take on the next level of Zumba.

The first few workshops generally concentrate on style, professionalism, teaching tips and techniques. Some of the inclusions when joining the workshop are the Basic Steps Level 2 music CD, a Level 2 instructor manual, a review DVD and a certificate or completion. ACE and AFAA trainers get to have CEUs and CECs for joining Zumba workshops.

Final Tips

Pre-registration is highly recommended among those who plan to join the Zumba workshops. New techniques, steps and other freebies may be available if you check the web site. Payment may be through credit card, check or cash, depending on the host. Sold-out workshops usually do not allow any walk-ins to ensure quality and safety.

Zumba Tips for the Beginner

Zumba is one of the easiest workouts to learn. You do not need any background in dance or fitness to get started. Even if you intend to teach, you may find that routines are quite easy to develop once you get the groove. Making the necessary preparations can greatly enhance your skill and talent, so you can easily move up the ranks in just a short span of time.

Getting Started

You may choose to watch a session or two first before joining, although most individuals can easily catch up even if they've seen and joined Zumba for the first time. It is advisable to wear loose and comfortable clothes that breathe and wick sweat off your skin. You can begin with a couple of layers on too, such as a sweatshirt or jacket. Later on, take off one or two layers as you warm up more. Wear the right kind of footwear with low treads. Cross trainers and aerobic dance shoes are ideal. These are the ones having the round pivot point on the ball of the foot. Running shoes are not very good since these have very strong traction.

The Right Mood

Join the Zumba class with a playful attitude. One of the main thrusts of the fitness program is to let you indulge and enjoy the music, so feel free to have fun and give out a yell once in a while as you feel the fat melt away. You do not need to master or follow the moves perfectly during your first few sessions. Feel the tunes and let loose. You can bring some friends to the class also, since Zumba is very enjoyable when done in big groups.

Do not worry so much if you can't learn the steps immediately. In most occasions, it takes about 2 to 3 classes before individuals really feel comfortable about the movements. Practice and consistency are the tools in letting your movements become more fluid over time. There are experts on hand who will help you get better in your form for maximum calorie burn. When exercising, keep your knees bent and the abdominal muscles tight through the entire session. Bent knees let you become looser in the hips, while the engaged abdominal muscles support the spine adequately.

Scope of the Class

Individuals of any age can join the Zumba class. Specifically, only those 18 years old and above are allowed to join workshops. 16 and 17-year olds may also join with special considerations. They have to secure a note from their parents or guardians, allowing them to join seminars. Young kids and seniors can receive the several benefits of the workout by joining the right class that caters to their needs and physical limitations. Zumba Gold is a special type of class that particularly targets older individuals and those with physical problems. Even people confined in wheelchairs can workout and get fit.

Upping the Intensity

Zumba takes on the principle of interval training, so expect to go through both slow and fast-paced dances and moves as the routine lasts from 45 to 60 minutes. You can burn anywhere between 450 to 800 calories per hour, depending on the intensity. You can increase the intensity of your movements to burn more fat and make workouts more effective.

Other beginners may choose to slow down and feel the groove first before deciding to increase the difficulty.

Zumba Information

The Zumba has captured the hearts of many and has successfully helped hundreds of thousands of individuals all over the globe lose their extra pounds finally. You also get the benefit of keeping the pounds off through dedication and consistency. Knowing the details will help you understand the concept, as well as the proper ways of doing the Zumba.

On Interval Training

Zumba incorporates the interval training concept, wherein the entire workout goes from one routine to the next without stopping. The pace will change depending on the type of dance or musical influenced used. There will be no need for slowdown when moving from one constant motion to the next, so every individual can just go along with the flow. The steps are relatively easy to follow. Complete beginners and seniors can stay comfortable with the Zumba Gold, which does the routine at a more comfortable and easy pace. The same addictive music and dance steps are used, except that the pace tends to be slower. More time will be given in helping individuals get to know the steps.

More Cities

Zumba has spread all over United States and the world. It is one of the most popular in states like California, New York and Texas. International craze has also been on the rise in areas like Japan, Mexico and Europe. More and more individuals are getting hooked because of the unique approach of the program. Most beginners report that the steps are very easy to follow, plus they can focus more on fun and enjoying the music, instead of just mastering the steps. The fusion of different influences, plus the camaraderie are the best factors that eliminate workout boredom for good.

Becoming an Instructor

Thousands of individuals are now training or certified instructors of Zumba. There are workshops and seminars offered wherein people can be trained and become certified Zumba instructors. You get to receive materials and gain access to a network of instructors via the internet from all over the world. This way, you can enhance your knowledge and skills continually, plus get new contacts regardless of your location.

Losing Weight

Zumba is one of the best ways to losing weight. As opposed to other types of programs and workouts, Zumba takes away the boredom effectively since the dance steps are very entertaining, introducing the likes of the merengue, salsa and belly dance. There are also international education specialists who can further help individuals achieve the body they have always wanted. Zumba keeps your heart rate and breathing going steadily, and can burn as much as 450 calories in a single session.

Types of Zumba

There are generally 3 types, the Zumba Basic, Zumba Gold and Zumba Level 2. Zumba Basic is the most basic which incorporates different dances, most commonly Latin, into a continuous series of workouts. Zumba Gold is specifically designed to help the elderly and the physically incapacitated to cope with the various steps and moves. Zumba Level 2 is more advanced, using more sophisticated movements for a more intense workout and effective fat burn. You can start on either the Zumba Gold or Zumba Basic, depending on your current physical condition.

There are workshops available for each as well, should you decide to improve your skills or teach others how to lose weight the fun way.

Zumba for the Beginner

Zumba has become widely popular all around the world because of the several benefits. The workout program incorporates different Latin and international rhythms that will truly give you a whole new and exciting experience. The movements can range from easy to advance, although everything follows basic principles. Beginners can easily follow too through these different techniques and tips.

Zumba Basic for Beginners

If you haven't tried Zumba before or prefer a class paced slower, you can try out Zumba Basic. It is a good starter class for those who want to familiarize the different songs, rhythm and moves. You can start out by practicing without the music on. Some certified instructors prefer that you understand some of the principal movements first. When the music is finally on, you will find that you get your groove more easily. More steps will be provided for the next song. Some video clips for the moves may also be available in the web site, depending on your instructor and location.

Zumba Gold for True Beginners

There are people who have never tried Zumba, but there are also individuals who still have a hard time, regardless of the pace and simplicity of moves because of different reasons like lack of skills, physical incapacitation or disability and inadequate strength and flexibility. The Zumba Gold program is intended to help the true beginner learn and go through the workout successfully. In fact, it regulated so that senior citizens can also enjoy the health benefits. Zumba Gold can improve your flexibility, balance, cardiovascular strength and speed. Even if the person is in a chair or wheelchair, he or she can still exercise.

Advantages of Zumba to the Beginner

Zumba is very easy to follow. You can actually go through the different movements in a more fluid fashion compared to trying aerobics classes and other more sophisticated workouts. Zumba is good for individuals who stay in the beginner level because they simply do not enjoy exercising very much. It is vital that the music and experience itself remains fulfilling. The different types of dances and rhythms used in the sessions are excellent in the sense that these let people be themselves, worrying less about the steps and movements and feeling the music and getting in shape more.

Beginners are also not required to keep joining classes several times a week. You can join 2 to 3 sessions a week, with each class lasting one hour each. You should have had burned enough calories to keep you fit and trim, without you even realizing it. Zumba is a great opportunity for beginners to socialize and learn about culture. You get to appreciate the origins of the music and dances.

Things Required

There are no special requirements for the beginner. Just wear comfortable clothes and shoes for your Zumba workout. Drink a glass of water before starting and do some stretching if you haven't exercised in a while. Register beforehand or sign up after researching about the class you're interested in joining. Feel free to bring friends along. If you feel that you're getting better with the workouts faster than others, you may want to join workshops too.

These are intended to help you teach others Zumba. You get to receive other perks and benefits by joining and get to be part of a network.

Zumba FAQ

Although millions of individuals have successfully experienced the fun and fitness benefits of Zumba, there are still a lot who want to find out more. Zumba is very unique compared to other dance-inspired fitness programs, in the sense that it provides rich history, an exhilarating experience and the best moves that truly give you that calorie burn.

What is Zumba?

Zumba incorporates both hypnotic Latin music and easy-to-do moves that lead to a dynamic and effective workout program that will help you de-stress, have the greatest time and burn fat. The goal is to give individuals an entertaining time so they can consistently stick to a program and reach their health and fitness goals. Zumba fanatics get to have the long term benefits of the dance and exercise by doing body-energizing and muscle-pumping movements that are also very addictive.

The routines include interval training sessions that use both slow and fast rhythms, plus resistance training to sculpt and tone the body for effective fat loss. International zest and Latin inspirations are also included in the program for uniqueness. During the past few years, Zumba has become a revolution, giving the impression that getting fit can be fun. In February 2008, the program has grown to having more than 11,000 certified instructors in 35 countries and has sold more than 3 million DVDs, changing the lives of more than 2 million individuals.

Is There a Special Attire?

There is no special attire required for Zumba. Ideally, you should wear only comfortable and breathable workout clothes. Dance sneakers and gym or tennis shoes are good for classes. You have to be careful in choosing to wear track shoes since these limit your movement from side to side. Depending on your skills, you may also wear other types of clothes. Some people enjoy flaunting Latin dresses for a more formal approach.

What Does Zumba Offer?

Zumba has aligned with IDEA, SCW Fitness Education, ACE or the American Council on Exercise and AFAA or the Aerobic & Fitness Association of America, plus other leading fitness organizations and facilities. To design and complement the innovation of creator Beto Perez, the Educational Division was built to give instructor workshops and make the program as effective as ever.

Zumba, at present, offers the Zumba Basic Skills Instructor Training workshop wherein instructors can teach basic classes for Zumba. The Zumba Gold workshop was designed for active older adults, and is used frequently as an exerciser for the deconditioned. There are several other workshops launched internationally. Some of the countries that help push the program include Japan, Mexico, Italy, the UK, China and Spain.

What a Typical Class Like?

A Zumba class lasts for about one hour based primarily on the principle of interval training. Dancers get to alternate low and high intensity exercise. This is great for both beginners and advanced individuals. The intensity changes are controlled by the various musical rhythms and steps, taking out the negative effects that can be acquired from high impact aerobic sessions.

The class always begins with a warmup, followed by a series of routines that incorporate the cumbia, flamenco, meringue, reggaeton and salsa. Everyone can participate regardless of age. A cool down is done at the end of the session composed for stretching moves. The routines can repeat for many weeks so that individuals can practice.

Two to three sessions a week is good enough for most individuals to stay fit and burn extra fat and calories.

Zumba and Dieting

Zumba has benefited hundreds of thousands of individuals in the past few years. To truly realize the effects of the fitness program, you need to incorporate a sound and sensible diet too. You will find that the advantages grow more in number and quality in the least amount of time. Here are some diet tips that will help you stay fit and lean for the long term.

Basic Diet Tips

Eat small frequent meals to rev up your metabolism. Anywhere between 5 to 8 meals per day is very good. You need to eat something every few hours to churn your digestive system, thereby upping your metabolism so you get to burn fat more while exercising and continue shedding weight off even when you're at rest. Mix lean protein and complex carbohydrates only. Take sources from lean meat cuts, eggs, low fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables, oatmeal, brown rice and yams.

It is also important to hydrate especially before starting your workout. Drink a gallon of water a day to help your body readily get rid of excess water and fluids. Drink 1 to 2 glasses of water before beginning your Zumba workout. Never skip meals since your body may be led to hoard fat. Your metabolism also slows down if you miss meals. It will help significantly to map out your diet or food choices for the entire week. Pack your snacks and lunch so you avoid having to eat at unhealthy places like fast food stores.

Good Alternatives

Try to eat more of natural food sources like whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and fish or lean meat cuts. Stay away from processed and refined food choices, sugar and white flour. Also avoid alcohol, smoking and oily or fried foods. As much as possible, grill, boil, broil or stir fry foods only for added health benefits and faster weight loss. You can practice portion control when eating to avoid eating too much. It takes about 20 minutes for the brain to realize that the stomach is full. Chew your food and eat slowly. Snacks should also be healthy such as almonds, a piece of fruit or a protein shake.

In the Morning

For breakfast, you can eat 1/4 cup of steel cut oats cooked in 1 cup of rice milk. Add a scoop of protein powder, some strawberries, raisins and milk for flavor. Also eat more protein such as 4 egg whites cooked with veggies or low fat cottage cheese. For your morning snack, eat low fat yogurt. For lunch, eat a 6 to 8 ounce lean steak or turkey plus vegetables. You may also have whole grain bread or brown rice. Stay away from mayonnaise and fatty dressings.

PM Menu for Zumba Dieters

In the afternoon, you can gulp down another protein shake or eat a sweet potato or piece of fruit. Some form of carbohydrate is good before you begin your Zumba workout to give you added strength and energy. For dinner, consume a 6 to 8-ounce steak or chicken breast, plus vegetables with low fat dressing like vinaigrette or balsamic. It is not usually recommended to consume any more carbohydrates after 4 in the afternoon since the body no longer has enough activity or time to burn everything off.

In the evening you can snack on low fat yogurt or 2 tablespoons of low fat peanut butter. Before bed, drink a glass of low fat milk or snack on low fat cottage cheese.

ZIN Membership Information

ZIN stands for Zumba Instructor Network. This is a very efficient and reliable tool for professionals to continually enhance their knowledge and skills, thereby leading to better and more exciting programs. You can receive a lot of benefits too by joining the network. Even if you are not an instructor, you may gain access by using your own instructor's account. Here are some more tips on how to get the best out of the network.

On Age Requirement

Participants need to be at least 18 years old or older to join a Basic Workshop independently. They should also be at least 18 years old or above to join a Zumba Gold workshop independently. 16 or 17-year old individuals can join Zumba Basic workshops, provided that they secure a letter from their parents or guardian. Both the participant and the parent or guardian should sign the liability form at the Zumba workshop. Individuals who are 16 or 17 years old need to contact the trainer for the workshop to fix the letter from the participants' parents, as well as the liability form.

On ZIN Tools

There is a ZIN policy stating that the membership should strictly be for the Zumba instructor only. A portion of the benefits of becoming a ZIN member is the music sets and choreography tips that you get to have through mail. It is actually against the ZIN policy to share these vital fitness information to non-members. It is not allowed to create copies of ZIN songs. The music industry should be very stringent about copyright laws. The RIAA is actually chasing individuals who have breached the copyright law.

Protect yourself and avoid making copies of the CDs and DVDs at all costs. The ZIN CDs are also not for sale to the general public, since these are intended for the use of ZIN members only, to improve and develop their fitness programs. Exclusive status will be eliminated if the songs were made open to the public. There are some CDs, however, which you can buy at wholesale then resell to students and participants at a higher price.

Canceling ZIN Membership

ZIN membership lasts anywhere from a few months up to a full year. If the membership is cancelled before the minimum due date of expiry, members will have to pay a penalty fee first for the remaining months. The fee can range anywhere between $10 and $25 a month. All materials are provided during the first month in most cases, so you will have to pay for the current month and receive all materials in the same period. The cancellation will be effective once approved, usually during the last week of the month wherein the cancellation was filed.

Requesting Materials

The ZIN membership is similar to other types of subscription. If you are a new member, you will only get the item sent out during the time you registered, with other materials following afterwards. The CDs, DVDs, manuals, etc. will be available as listed in the program, depending on the agency you joined.

Zumba will not give liability insurance waivers. Each Zumba instructor is considered as an independent contractor who can independently decide terms, rates, schedules, routines and other agreements. You may refer to your insurance company, facility and lawyer where you can educate people for added assistance.