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Salsa Circuit
She followed her favorite Zumba instructor around Bradenton for classes in venues such as the YMCA and other community centers.
Zumba is a trademark blend of dance-fitness exercise that combines Latin-style dance steps, fitness moves and exhilarating international music. Zumba creators call the classes a “fitness party.”
“In Zumba, they say ‘Come in and enjoy the party.’ You don’t feel like you are working out and that is the key,” said Aguirre.
“It keeps you happy because the music keeps you happy.”
Her devotion to Zumba eventually gave her an achievement to celebrate: She had salsa-ed, cha-cha-cha-ed her way to a weight loss of 83 pounds.
Only a few months after starting Zumba, Aguirre became an instructor. Today, she has her own following at places such as Shapes Fitness for Women on Cortez Road and YMCA branches in Lakewood Ranch and Parrish. She teaches 25 classes a week.
Since Zumba’s creation in 2001, the popular dance-fitness exercise has spread to 125 countries, according to the Zumba website. An estimated 12 million people take Zumba classes every week.
Still hot in 2012
In Manatee, the “high season of Zumba” begins this month, said Esther Forestandi, a popular Zumba instructor who teaches at the Anna Maria Island Health and Fitness Center, and other local fitness and community centers.
Classes swell as winter visitors return to Bradenton and their favorite Zumba spots, she said.
Forestandi estimates the average age range of her students is between 45 and 75. Her oldest was an 89-year-old snowbird. Youngest: a 4-year-old and “you should have seen him dance!”
“The greatest benefit of Zumba is how you relax and have fun,” said Forestandi.
“People come in and can forget about their problems. They’re having a little fun … and they’re making noise, all kinds of noises.”
Students have told her the classes are their therapy, where they can decompress.
“It’s really nice for me. People have come up to me and said ‘You don’t know what it’s meant to me (to take classes).’ One woman was taking care of her mom and she had a lot of stress from being a caregiver. She would leave class saying she felt so good,’’ said Forestandi.
It will make you sweat
An aerobic interval-type workout, Zumba includes a warm-up and cool-down. As the class progresses, students can pick up the pace or slow it down, depending on how they want to push themselves. Fitness moves such as bicep curls are blended into the routine to add toning.
Like other aerobic exercise, Zumba is good for the cardiovascular system and designed to make you sweat.
“Everyone wants to sweat!” said Aguirre about her students.
For the people with two left feet, not to worry. Zumba is dance-exercise but it’s OK to not follow all the steps when you’re learning. It may feel a little frustrating, but just move side to side until you can catch back up, said Aguirre.
Other types of Zumba
In addition to basic Zumba, there are other forms that are specific to special needs or preferences. Aguirre teaches Aqua Zumba at Shapes for people who want a pool workout that is “salsa in the water” and gentler on joints.
She leads Zumba Gold classes – a slower Zumba-style for older adults – at senior community centers.
There also is circuit Zumba, such as the classes at Curves on Manatee Avenue that add Zumba moves to Curves’ 30-minute circuit routine.
To find a Zumba class in the Manatee County area, go to the Zumba website, www.zumba.com.
One thing to know: Don’t wear athletic shoes with treaded soles to class. They aren’t good for the side-to-side and front-to-back dance steps; wearing them means you won’t be able to slide your feet. Cross-training shoes or aerobic dance shoes are recommended.
Susan Hemmingway, Herald health correspondent, can be reached at shemmingway@hotmail.com.
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