Low-Carbon Zumba Freak
By Jenn (TinyChoices.com) | February 15, 2011
Most surprisingly to me, I really like Zumba! For the uninitiated:
“Zumba Fitness is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a “fitness-party” that is downright addictive.
Since its inception in 2001, Zumba Fitness has grown to become the world’s largest – and most successful – dance-fitness program with more than 10 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking weekly Zumba classes in over 90,000 locations across more than 110 countries.”
The classes feature high-energy music– mostly latin-flavored, including cumbia, salsa, merengue, and mambo, but also reggaeton, belly dancing, Bhangra, and hip-hop– which means that in a class, you get to do all those awesome moves you see in tv commericals, but would never otherwise dream of doing in public. I’ve found it to be super fun (I can’t stop smiling when I’m doing it) and a really, really good workout. I do modify all the jumping and bouncing because of my old-before-their-time knees, but I think that’s the same with any class, including yoga.
So, why’s my Zumba love green? Well for two reasons: first, there’s a daily class within walking distance of my home– so no cars, taxis, or buses needed to get there (plus the steep hill on the way back is an extra lung-burster). And second, for those times when I want to Zumba in the mornings or miss a class due to lingering over an extra cup of coffee with a friend, I’ve been Zumbaing at home, with videos I’ve found to stream online. They’re not full-length classes, but string them together and they’ll do just fine. While this is awesome because they’re free, it’s also awesome because there’s no waste from the production of a DVD + case, plus shipping of that video.
It’s a very low-carbon footprint kind of workout, in the privacy of my own home. Which is good, because I’m not sure anyone should see me busting out those hip-hop moves just yet.
Do you Zumba? Is there another home-based or otherwise green exercise you enjoy?
[Image of a Zumba freak by Simm via Creative Commons]
Topics: General | 2 Comments »
Thank for posting this! I’ve been zumba curious for a little while and just found a drop in class near my work, so I think i’m going to try it out.
I’d say walking, in my neighborhood, is the greenest activity I enjoy. I can’t wait until it warms up so I can really begin to ramble around and explore, as I love to look at houses and get inspiration for things to do to my home and yard. When I need a little more nature I like to go hiking, but that’s a little further out of the city so I have to drive. And this summer will be the year to get back on my bike!
I recently got back into Zumba thanks to a class at my local YMCA (also within walking distance). I first tried it several years ago, and I must admit that I bought the VHS tapes (yes, VHS, not even DVDs, though they did exist then). I don’t think I got my money’s worth out of the tapes, so they were doubly un-green :( (and now I can’t find them — maybe I gave them away?). Anyway, I completely agree about Zumba being a great workout that leaves you sweating and smiling!