Yes it does. Not only is Zumba® a fantastic aerobic workout which burns calories quickly, it also tones all areas of your body. An average session normally allows you to burn about 800 calories.

Other than just being an excellent weight shedding tool, Zumba® can also prove to be an extremely sociable experience and a great way to meet new people who share your interest in fitness and dance.

Maximum Rate of Calorie-Burning

About 30 minutes of Zumba® can allow a person weighing 150 pounds to burn off approximately 304 calories, compared to swimming which helps burn about 333 calories in a span of 30 minutes. However, your calorie-burning process depends entirely on the intensity of your workout.

Since Zumba® toning includes a high-energy cardio workout along with body sculpting, it is considered more effective than Zumba® gold. Zumba® gold is a class more suitable for those seeking moderate activity which is why it is aimed at older adults or those trying to get back into shape.

Muscle Strengthening

Zumba®, Zumba® toning and Zumba® gold toning are among the best workouts for muscle strength.

Another variation of Zumba® fitness and Zumba® toning employs 1-pound, hand-held toning sticks. Although these would seem to work the biceps and triceps, the sticks, however, work mainly to increase your dance endurance.
Cumbia, a bouncy musical style from Colombia, features quick, small-step footwork and lateral travel to work the legs, hips and abs.

With its energetic arm swings, Meringue, which resembles a march in place and hails from the Dominican Republic, lays more emphasis on the triceps and biceps.

The more Eastern selections, such as bhangra and belly dancing, challenge the calves and core requiring you to elevate on one foot and wave the other foot, toes pointed, in front of the body.

Salsa, on the other hand, works the lower body and core, whereas samba, especially if performed twice, gives the ankle flexors a good run.

Setting Up Routines

Being a newbie to the Zumba® Fitness, you are likely to become short of breath trying to keep up, improving your cardiovascular fitness in the process. The instructor will run through an assorted playlist, aiming not only to promote fitness but to work out your muscle groups evenly.

As you keep moving, your hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, abs and many more muscles synchronize in a smooth, gliding whirl of motion.

Along with the exercises, an important part of losing weight includes routine activities in your daily life, such as jogging, taking the stairs, doing laundry, getting involved in an activity with kids or walking to and from work. These activities can help you burn calories, in addition to your Zumba® workouts.