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Zumba not a weight-loss program, says founder
Many fitness enthusiasts frequently join Zumba classes for several health benefits, including losing weight.
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Zumba founder Beto Perez during ZIN Academy in Jakarta. (JP/Jessicha Valentina)
Zumba, an aerobic fitness program, is currently trending in Indonesia.
Many fitness enthusiasts frequently join Zumba classes for several health benefits, including losing weight. However, Beto Perez, the founder of Zumba, said on Saturday during a press conference that he initially created Zumba to make the participants feel happy, not as a weight loss program.
“One of the consequences [of joining Zumba] is losing weight,” said Perez, who visited Jakarta to coach 500 Zumba instructors at the Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN) Academy, a full-day Zumba training program for registered and active instructors.
He said Zumba’s choreography activated endorphins, making the participants feel happy.
Read also: Jakpost guide to boutique fitness studios
In regard to Zumba’s growth in Indonesia, Perez said it was very good as people had finally found a workout that was fun and easy. He added that other workouts could be considered torturous and boring when compared to Zumba.
Zumba features four core rhythms, namely salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggaetón, and each rhythm consists of 16 moves with 25 variations. Among all the moves, only 25 to 30 percent are undercover fitness movements.
“The philosophy of Zumba is easy, fun and effective,” he said
Perez described Zumba as a workout designed for everyone.
“Sometimes we have three generations — daughter, mother and granddaughter — in the class,” he said.
Some celebrities, such as Shakira, joined Zumba class while pregnant. However, Perez suggested that pregnant women avoid high-impact movements while joining Zumba classes. (kes)
