Susie Kockerscheidt
Zumba is an aerobic fitness program that uses Latin music to inspire and Latin dance steps to invigorate anyone.
North of the City
September 08, 2008 10:02 AM
By: Leslie Plant
After an hour-long class under the energetic and enthusiastic guidance of instructor Julia Gedeon, there are very few among the assorted women, men, teens and tweens assembled at Newmarket’s Peter Stanton School of Dance who aren’t sweating — or smiling. Some have the label Dancer emblazoned across the seat of their spandex workout shorts; others, based on attire and body shape, are clearly anything but. Yet, despite different fitness levels and familiarity with Latin dance moves, many who sacrificed a Friday evening to come out for the free Zumba demo class opt to sign up for a six-week program.
Zumba is an aerobic fitness program that uses Latin music to inspire and Latin dance steps to invigorate anyone — including those with two left feet — into a rousing cardio workout. Ms Gedeon says the extremely positive response to the demo class is consistent with novices and veterans alike.
“It’s so much fun, you’re not even thinking about the fact you’re sweating and working out,” Ms Gedeon says.
“You’re doing all these crazy steps and they actually do belong in the dances.
We did meringue and bacchante and cambia and salsa, but because they were put together, you weren’t even noticing you were working out. That’s part of the magic, and that’s why it works so well and why we generally have such a high turn-out.”
“I’ll be back,” says a flushed but happy-looking Troy Dyer as he leaves the dance studio. Mr. Dyer already takes weekly salsa, meringue and bachata lessons.
While he was able to recognize certain steps during the demo, that’s not why he signed up. “I just enjoy the moves and it’s good exercise, too.”
Based on the crowd at the demo class, he isn’t alone. Part of its mass appeal could be that Zumba is first and foremost a fun fitness class, not a dance lesson.
“A lot of people don’t consider themselves dancers and feel like this is a dance class so how could they possibly participate,” says Ms Gedeon. “First it should be fun, second it’s fitness, and then fifth or sixth, if you learn some dance steps, all the better. But certainly dance is not a requirement, it’s not supposed to be part of your background, it’s not something that’s going to help you in any way.”
She says she teaches most classes with a second instructor, so higher impact variations can be demonstrated. But, perhaps surprisingly, during the class, little emphasis is placed on teaching where or how to move your feet. Rather, the music starts pumping, Ms Gedeon starts bopping and everyone joins in, mimicking her movements – with varying degrees of success — as best they can.
“Some people can do (the steps) and some people can’t and some people were helping others out and that’s what creates the fun energy,” Ms Gedeon says. “But you put on music like that and it’s just contagious.”
While still fairly new in Canada, the fitness program has enjoyed skyrocketing popularity in the United States since founder and fitness trainer Alberto (Beto) Perez imported it in 1999 from Colombia. Legend has it Mr. Perez had to ransack his car for substitute music to accompany one of his exercise classes when he forgot his regular aerobic tapes. The salsa and meringue music he loved to listen to while driving provided the soundtrack to an improvised cardio class that combined elements of Latin dance with high and low impact workout moves. It quickly became a favourite at his fitness studio.
The name Zumba is derived from a Colombian term meaning “move fast and have fun” and, according to www.zumba.com, there are over 2,000 certified Zumba instructors worldwide, helping people do just that. Ms Gedeon completed her Zumba certification earlier this year, and since then she and three colleagues, who formed www.zumbanorth.com, have been run off their feet with requests for classes.
Previously, the dance instructors had led “mommy-and-baby” salsa dancing classes. “When their babies grow out of their carriers, the moms were always asking us for adult classes. So when we saw there was a certification for Zumba, it was a natural fit to start doing that.”
Ms Gedeon says she wasn’t familiar with Zumba until she signed up for the certification course. Since then, she’s become as much a fan as her students, and says she dropped about six pounds in the first four weeks she started teaching regularly. While she has an extensive dance background herself, she points out that doesn’t necessarily translate into strong cardio function.
“My biggest emphasis is that Zumba is absolutely for everyone. It has a huge impact on your health and your cardio and it’s an absolutely phenomenal amount of fun.”