Zumba's Journey: From Accident to Global Fitness Craze

Zumba (or zumba) is a fitness and training system based on Latin American rhythms and dance traditions. It was started by Alberto Perez, a Colombian fitness instructor.

Zumba (or zumba) is a fitness and training system based on Latin American rhythms and dance traditions. It was started by Alberto Perez, a Colombian fitness instructor.

This direction is one of the youngest. It appeared only in 2001, but despite its youth, it has gained well-deserved popularity. People around the world are attracted to it because it combines the principles of a healthy lifestyle with fun dance classes to lively music.

Its development began from ordinary fitness. It happened by accident when Alberto discovered that he had forgotten his flash drive with regular music for his class. He grabbed the music he usually played in his car and began improvising, adding various elements of Latin dance to his usual exercises. He soon patented the resulting style!

Over its 18-year history, Zumba has not undergone major changes, but a few things have happened. If in 2001 it started simply as a concept for fitness classes, today this dance has become a whole network that actively trains qualified instructors and true masters of their craft.

Every year, this dance evolved and attracted more and more people who wanted to change their lives for the better with its help. Not long ago, on July 19, 2015, the largest Zumba flash mob took place in the Philippines. 12,975 people actively participated for 30 minutes. This event even made it into the Guinness World Records!

As we have understood, Zumba is an extremely young and fresh style, but it has already undergone many changes. For example, it has split into 6 main directions, which include classic exercises, use of light weights, step boards or chairs, water exercises, and a fitness system for children.

All this happened not just because of changes in Zumba itself, but in the entire fitness world as a whole, since it is a part of it. Because of this, it undergoes constant small changes that give rise to new styles and types of this dance.

Essentially, anyone can bring something new to this style due to its youth and high plasticity. That's why all changes are just beginning. This direction is developing at an incredible pace and shows no signs of stopping!