Zumba fitness classes heat up in the corridor

Zumba may sound like a hot new Christmas toy, but it's actually a fitness class that is now being offered throughout Eastern Iowa.   Combining Latin music with basic dance steps, Zumba “really gets your heart moving,” says Gabrielle Cain, 41, a health teacher at Roosevelt Middle School in Cedar Rapids and a part-time Zumba instructor.  

“There are four basic dance moves that are incorporated in the basic level of Zumba,” Cain says, “Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia and Reggaeton, which is kind of like a Latin hip hop.”

Zumba got its start back in 2001 in South America. “It happened kind of by accident.  The guy (who developed Zumba) was an aerobics instructor in Colombia,” says Cain.  “One day he forgot his music for the class and wound up going in his car and getting his Latin mix CDs. People loved it,” she says.

Today, a variety of Zumba classes are taught around the world.  Here in Eastern Iowa, you can find dozens of basic  Zumba classes offered throughout the week at health clubs, wellness centers, even some retirement homes and churches.  (Go online to www.zumba.com to search for classes near you.) You can even work out with Zumba DVDs or with Zumba Fitness 2 for the Wii. 

Cain thinks Zumba classes are so popular because they make exercising fun.  “Nobody's there to judge you, it's just so you can get a good heart rate up, have fun, and learn some moves.”  She adds that someone doesn't need to be an expert dancer to participate, just have a willingness to try.  “It's pretty much step-touch, grapevine, and you add a little shake here and there.”

Before becoming licensed as a Zumba instructor, Cain had never taught a fitness class before, although she did participate in dance as a child.  Cain took Zumba classes at the Downtown Y in Cedar Rapids for two years, and felt it should be offered more at the other branches.  So she became certified and now teaches several classes a week at the Stoney Pointe Y as well as the Downtown Y. 

She says that Zumba seems to appeal to a wide-ranging group of people.  “You have young, you have old, mostly female, but there are some men that come.  Everybody seems to really like it,” Cain says. 

She emphasizes that the class is low-key and doesn't force you to learn a complicated dance routine.  “You just follow along as best you can, do what you can do and be sure to get your heart rate up.”

Cain likes Zumba so much, she started an intramural after school program at Roosevelt where she teaches.  “I had 41 kids fill out a permission form, and any week I had anywhere from 18 to 25 kids show up.”   Cain recently took on more community classes, so she is putting her after school class on hold for now, but may start it up at a later date. 

Just like the adults, the middle school kids enjoy the variety that Zumba includes.  “Each week is something different, so it doesn't get boring.”