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FITNESS clubs and gyms around the Bay have caught the zumba dance-fitness fever and now there is even a zumba spin-off in the form of the new zumba step class.
Zumba is the brain-child of Colombian-American dancer and choreographer Alberto Perez. It has received global acclaim since he launched the fusion of fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-fitness sensation in 2006.
La Femme spoke to a few Bay health clubs which incorporate zumba in workout routines.
Virgin Active was one of the first to offer the classical zumba classes in Port Elizabeth and last month introduced the new zumba step class.
Virgin Active members were the first to try the hour-long classes.
The fitness club joined forces with zumba to launch the new step with aerobics and fitness movements set to infectious Latino beats.
"Zumba fans can expect a diverse mix of traditional fitness, dance and step aerobics moves for a significant interval workout," said Dorria Watt, communications manager.
"The programme provides extreme body sculpting benefits, with particular focus on the lower body.
"You can expect amazing results, while feeling the burn in targeted areas like the glutes, thighs and legs. It's literally a fabulous way to dance your bum into shape," she added.
"The step also aids balance and coordination and it promises to help one burn up to 1000 calories. It's the equivalent of climbing 4km."
She said the new routine encouraged people to use more energy to lift their body weight against the step "while keeping the beat to the easy dance moves". According to Tanya Pretorius, personal trainer at Profiles Health Club, Profiles has been offering zumba for about two years now.
"Although it started slow, it is now doing really well. The fun-filled workout is on the rise."
Catering for everybody who wants to get fit or lose some weight, classes run every Wednesday at 6.30pm.
"We have one class a week at the moment but will be looking at adding more in the future," she added.
With music as a motivation, the classes go for 45 minutes to one hour. The Profiles class averages around 20 people.
"We have many dance styles put into one. It's like having a portion of dessert but each bite is in a different flavour," Pretorius said.
Although zumba is more popular among women members, both males and females from the age of 12 years up can take part, she said.
"No fitness tests are needed – everybody can take part whether you are a pro or a beginner."
Profiles member Juanita du Plessis, started doing zumba two years ago and said she mostly enjoys moving her hips.
"I love dancing and having fun so getting an awesome workout at the same time makes it even better."
Zumba can only be given by an instructor licensed by the Zumba Academy. Summerstrand Curves is due to resume zumba classes next week.
Lisa Zauber, owner of Summerstrand Curves, said they had been running very popular and successful zumba classes for several years.
"Curves introduced the Curves circuit with zumba to bring dance elements to workouts and aid members to burn calories."
Although it is significantly different from the usual zumba dance class, the Curves circuit takes up to 26 members at a time. "Dance moves are performed for one-minute intervals between hydraulic resistance machinery workouts," Zauber explained.
"This gives members the best of both worlds – a high energy Latin-inspired dance class that works the cardiovascular system and incorporates the Curves machines that build muscular strength and endurance in every large muscle group in the body." - Balisa Ntloko