Fitness Faceoff: Zumba or Gym Workout?
Most of us are aware that exercise and working out is very important yet some of us are yet too busy/caught up/lazy to actually stick to it. Also, another contributing factor is that we tend to forget and generally don’t know exactly how exercise is beneficial for our well being. Here is a small reminder of its importance:
- Lessens the threat of premature death
- Lessens the danger of developing and/or dying from heart disease
- Lessens high blood pressure and the danger of contracting high blood pressure
- Lessens high cholesterol and the threat of getting high cholesterol
- Lessens the risk of colon and breast cancer
- Lessens the risk of diabetes
- Lessens and maintain body weight and body in general.
- Boosts energy
- Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones, and joints
- Good for well-being. Lessens depression and anxiety
- Enhanced work, recreation, and sport performance
Working out at the gym and participating in Zumba are both great ways to exercise. Which one is the best will obviously vary from person to person as we are all different. Nonetheless, let us explore the advantages and disadvantages of the two!
Plus Points of a Gym Workout?
- At a gym, one gets exposure to a wide variety of options and equipment in terms of working out.
- Moreover, you get to exercise and focus on particular parts of your body.
- At a gym you will most likely have access to elliptical trainers, treadmills, weight machines, cross trainers & stationary bikes.
- Most gyms have swimming pools and
- Some gyms even have volleyball, tennis and racquetball courts and walking tracks!
- One can switch from one activity to another without any difficulty, mixing up your routine and in turn making your body strong and healthy.
Moreover there is incentive to work out at a gym as opposed to home because ...
- You are paying for it
- A sense of support as you are around many people working out
- One gets attached once a routine is formed
What is Zumba?
Zumba is a fitness program inspired by Latin dances. It combines aerobics with several Latin dances to allow participants to burn calories and to just be fit. It was founded by Alberto “Beto” Perez in Columbia. His unique fitness program combines a variety of dances, namely; hip-hop, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, and some Bollywood and belly dance moves. Furthermore, Martial arts, as well as squats and lunges are also practiced. If followed strictly, one can burn up to 1000 calories in one class alone. Zumba is known to be a fun, energetic and positively charged form of fitness. Most advocates of Zumba claim that this workout program is such a blast and party-like that they never find losing weight or maintaining their bodies a chore or a difficult accomplishment.
Plus Points of Zumba?
A lot of variety catering to different age groups and other personal attributes and choice. There is Zumba Gold (for seniors), Zumba Toning (focuses on body sculpting), Aqua Zumba (Work-out in a pool), Zumbatomic (for kids) and others!
- The party-like atmosphere at a Zumba class is motivating and good for mental health and well-being
- You get to socialize with members of the Class too
- Zumba may be practiced at home via DVD
- Easier to follow than a gym workout as it is fun and upbeat.
Minus Points of a Gym Workout?
- You have to pay
- Environment may get dull after a point
- Difficult to keep up with it
Minus Points of Zumba?
- Some feel that a gym has more to offer in terms of equipment and exercise
- You have to pay if you are taking a formal class
- Some claim that Zumba is difficult to keep up with and the movements aren’t that easy to perform
Conclusion:
At the end of the day exercise is exercise, and both of these are highly effective in their own respect. We personally suggest that you try to squeeze in both and get the best of both worlds!