Zumba® is a Latin-inspired dance fitness program created by dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in Colombia during the 1990s.

Zumba®continues to grow in popularity on a daily basis. Why? Maybe because it is an amazing form of cardio, classes are filled with fun and because it is an effective way to lose weight? Even celebrities agree – take American Idol youngest winner for example; Jordin Sparks who is a chart-topping singer, selling 9 millions of copies worldwide (one of the best-selling music artists of the decade!) recently lost a lot of weight, she took Zumba® classes with her mom and loves it.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Zumba® would be ideal for those who happen to be overweight. After all, Zumba® is for everybody! If you have decided to start Zumba®, you’ve made a wise (and fun) decision, just go through these tips to ensure your Zumba® goes smoothly.

As the name suggests, Aqua-Zumba® keepsthe Zumba® fitness workout party in the pool, led by instructors who have specialized licenses. They might also have Aquatic Exercise Association certification.

Exercising in the water gives you the same or even better benefits as exercising on land. Also known as the Zumba® “pool party,” the Aqua Zumba® program gives new meaning to the idea of a vitalizing workout. During the workout or class, you may experience splashing, stretching, twisting and even shouting, laughing hard, hooting at each other and hollering and lots of fun that will charge you up!

Amalgamating the Zumba® formula and philosophy with traditional aqua fitness disciplines, the Aqua Zumba® class merges it all into a safe, challenging, water-based workout that helps in cardio-conditioning, body-toning, and most of all, invigorate beyond belief.

In-water exercise provides following additional benefits:

• Less strain on joints, bones and tendons
• Increased resistance for toning in muscles
• A full massage provided within the water around you
• The higher muscular activity and workout intensity due the water’s resistance compared to land
• Anti inflammatory effect due to water pressure
• The cooling effect in a warmer climate

Aqua Zumba® uses mostly Latin music rhythms such as Merengue, Cumbia, Salsa and Reggaeton, but can also use plenty of upbeat tempos as found in other world music.

Because of the resistance of the water, movements will be slower and adjusted to the water environment than in a regular Zumba® class, yet they can be just as intense. It is recommended that you wear special water shoes while doing water aerobics. These shoes can provide support,adhesive friction and protection from pool floors.

Aqua Zumba Steps

• To get started is as usual as you do it on land, the difference is the medium, the only thing different in Zumba® underwater is the water itself, because of its high resistance you need to make forces heavier.
• Perform large muscle movements by reaching your arms and lifting your legs underwater, as well as circling your hips and shoulders.
• Instructors receive quarterly DVD releases with new routines for their students.
• The typical Zumba® dance steps done on the land, such as cha-cha, merengue, salsa, reggaeton and mambo, need to be more appeased and slower in the water, so the tempo in water becomes a half of the land tempo.

Who should do it?

Aqua Zumba® is designed for anyone who can follow instructions and manage being in the water.

Unlike regular water aerobics, which are monotonous from one end to another,Aqua Zumba® entails different movements for the lines, chorus and rhythm of each song.It can be intriguing to someone who likes to chill in water or doesn't want to get as hot as in the land-based classes.

Health concerns

Those who suffer from hip or knee replacement prefer Aqua-Zumba®. A local health magazine reported that a Baltimore-area student recovering from a car accident who loved dancing and bought her crutches to the poolside. "She lay the crutches down, got in the water and got all the fun and flavor of the music without the impact on her feet."

Water effect

• Almost eighty to ninety percent of your body weight is submerged in the water when the water is at your chest level. Thus your knees, hips and back endure less pressure when doing Aqua Zumba®.
• At the same time, "your body works four times harder than on land," experts say. Scientifically, you deal with the resistance of the water rather than gravity.
• For even more resistance, perform Aqua Zumba® standing with the water at your collarbone level instead of at your chest.

Zumba® © and Zumba® © Fitness are registered trademarks of Zumba® Fitness LLC.