The Finish Line: One of the hottest health trends to sweep the
globe is in the South Valley. What better way to cross-train for
running than a full-body workout like Zumba Fitness? It’s time to
get your groove on, people! Swing those hips and burn off those
nasty calories.
One of the hottest health trends to sweep the globe is in the South Valley. What better way to cross-train for running than a full-body workout like Zumba Fitness? It’s time to get your groove on, people! Swing those hips and burn off those nasty calories.
Marcia Ribiero introduced me to a Zumba class last October when I was critically ill from a thyroid disorder. After a few weeks, I was able to run again, and I knew God used Zumba to change my life.
Alberto “Beto” Perez from Colombia founded the Zumba program in the mid-1990s by accident. He forgot his regular aerobic tapes for class and used his favorite Latin tunes instead. His students loved it, wanting more. Since 2001, Zumba Fitness has more than 10 million people taking weekly classes in more than 90,000 locations worldwide.
Zumba classes are ubiquitous in gyms, community centers, studios, resorts, college campuses, corporations, churches, gaming platforms and television. Because of the partying atmosphere, many who normally shun exercise are rocking to the beat instead of dreading the trip to the gym. The energetic sounds of samba, cumbia, reggaeton, salsa, merengue and hip-hop keep bringing them back.
Suzi Sellers, a Morgan Hill resident with bright violet and fuchsia hair, teaches Zumba at various clubs, including 24-Hour Fitness and the Centennial Recreation Center. She not only jams to the latest Latin beats but also includes hip-hop in her repertoire. Her classes are popular and crowded with people of all ages and ability.
“I look forward to every class,” Sellers said. “It’s like I’m partying with my friends, but instead of knocking back drinks and eating pastry pups, we’re burning calories.
“Jordan Rosenfeld lost a lot of weight. So when I met Jordan’s husband he said to me, ‘Are you the person responsible for literally dancing my wife’s bottom off?’ I thought that was funny.”
Rosenfeld dropped 26 pounds dancing mostly in Seller’s classes since May. Losing weight wasn’t the only reason she stuck with it.
“I was a new mom, who rarely left the house — depressed, tired, overweight and had a bad body image. Honestly, it made a major difference in my life.”
The party thrusts south to Gilroy Health and Fitness, where Zumba instructors Jennifer Ehrenberger and Sarah Zack boogie down with eager students on a cold rainy night. Ehrenberger, a scientist at Syngenta Flowers, Inc., teaches after a full day in the lab.
“I have had ladies tell me Zumba has helped their marriage because they love to dance, and their husbands don’t anymore, and they can get their dancing fix in my class,” Ehrenberger said. “People sweat and dance out all the frustrations of life and our poorly running economy and go home feeling satisfied and relaxed.”
Over yonder at Gold’s Gym in Hollister, Josep Budijanto pumps up the power. You can feel the electricity surge across the packed room.
Prior to Zumba, Budijanto was out of shape, frustrated and 35 pounds heavier.
“Three years ago, I did not have any idea how to dance Latin; the only fitness activities I know were swimming, tennis, and biking,” he said. Budijanto also had to overcome his issues. “From a guy’s perspective, I had to break the barrier of not being manly for going to Zumba. I keep telling myself this is an exercise class and not a dancing class.”
Debbie Fisher, a student of Budijanto’s, is a success story.
“I was running five years ago, attempting to work up to a marathon,” she said. “My knees began to swell, and the doctors could not find an exact reason. I continued to exercise but quit running.
“Last year, I joined Weight Watchers and Zumba. In three months I had lost 30 pounds and realized I could run again.”
Subsequently, Fisher ran both the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in San Jose and the California International Marathon in Sacramento.
Juan “Jay Jay” Davalos, 14, faithfully takes Ehrenberger’s class. He wants to become a certified Zumba instructor but must wait until he reaches 16 due to an age limit.
“For the guys, if you like hip-hop or any dance, just come on in,” he said. “Yes, there’s mostly girls in the classes, but anyone is invited!”
Upcoming Charity Zumba Events
— Second Annual Zumbathon for MDA’S Augies Quest, March 17, San Francisco Marriott Marquis
Details: www.zumba.com
— Zumba for Alzheimer’s research, April 7, Gilroy Health & Fitness
Details: www.gilroyfitness.com
— Mr. Ostenson’s Save the Music with Zumba, April 9, Marguerite Maze Middle School Gym in Hollister
Details: [email protected]
