What is Zumba?

Melita Garza, PhD, serves as assistant professor at Texas Christian University, where she focuses on the history of journalism. Outside of work, Dr. Melita Garza enjoys staying active through golf, yoga and walking. For the last decade, Zumba has also become a very popular method of exercise across America, and Melita Garza enjoys taking these group classes that don't feel like traditional workouts. Zumba is designed to feel more like a dance party than a traditional workout, which can make it easier to lose weight, stay active, and make friends.

Born in Columbia over 20 years ago, Zumba began when a fitness instructor forgot the CD for his aerobic class and popped in a personal mix of Latin music instead. Today, it has spread worldwide, with over six million people taking classes every week. Set to various styles of music, from salsa and cha-cha to soca and samba, the classes help to burn calories through a multitude of dance moves. It also supports muscle conditioning, flexibility and helps maintain energy.

While many people are familiar with traditional Zumba, there are also many varieties of the class, including some that incorporate weights, some for children, and even some that take place in the water. Classes are made for everyone, from beginners to experts, and even those who feel they don't have rhythm.