For a lot of people, the quarantine has gotten them, well, quaranthick. Staying home means less exercise, especially for those who weren’t particularly active. Those long daily walks from the MRT station have now been replaced with short walks to your fridge.
Aware of this problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched their Be Active campaign, encouraging people to get moving and recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. The WHO notes that it’s especially important to stay now that there’s a virus out there, so it’s time to get moving!
A hundred and fifty minutes a week may seem like a lot, especially to non-gym types, but there’s a fun way to power through – Zumba fitness workouts!
This exercise promises to take the work out of workouts. According to a 2015 study published in the American Journal of Health Behavior, Zumba tended to appeal to people who weren't inclined to working out. Findings also showed that these same people tended to make it a habit, thus initiating a consistent fitness routine.
What Is Zumba?
Zumba has become synonymous with any cardio dance class but it’s technically a licensed trademark under Zumba Fitness. It was created by a Columbian dancer and choreographer named Alberto Perez in the 1990s and it originally offered a mix of low- and high-intensity moves set to Latin music. It has since expanded its repertoire, with Zumba instructors playing international upbeat music—even KPop!—and is a global phenomenon that has reached a whopping 180 countries.
Where Can You Find Zumba Workouts Online?
There are so many Zumba workouts online offering fun videos to inspire you to get moving. Below are our top picks—some offer short, one-song snippets that give you a taste of what it’s like to sign up for their online class, while others offer half-hour workouts to meet your daily target.
If you’re looking for some local flavor: Live Love Party.
If you want to feel like you’re at a local studio with friendly Pinoy instructors, then Live Love Party is the place for you. Check out their YouTube channel—which has an impressive 2.52 million subscribers—pick out your favorite instructor, then book a class on their website for a more intense cardio burn.
Website: https://www.liveloveparty.ph/
YouTube: liveloveparty.tv
If you miss clubbing: Zumba France by Alix.
It’s probably been ages since you were last out dancing the night away, but this channel will have you feeling like you’re back in the hottest club. With its neon lights and party atmosphere courtesy of the other dancers, you can practically imagine a bar behind you. On days when you’re not feeling the club scene, you can pick a video set outdoors. No matter the setting, you’re sure to find lots of high-energy dancing!
YouTube: Zumba France by Alix
If you’re looking for something for the whole family: Zumba with Dovydas.
Lithuanian Zumba instructor Dovydas Veiverys is licensed to teach every type of Zumba imaginable: Zumba, Zumba Toning, Aqua Zumba, Zumba Kids and Kids Jr., and Zumba Step. If there are younger members of the household, you can get them in on the action with one of Dovydas’s Zumba Kids videos.
YouTube: Zumba with Dovydas
If you want to work on toning: STRONG Nation.
One of the offshoot workouts by Zumba Fitness, STRONG Nation (formerly Strong by Zumba) is still a high-intensity workout set to music but this time, it “combines body weight, muscle conditioning, cardio, and plyometric training moves synced to original music that has been specifically designed to match every single move,” according to their website. You can expect moves like burpees, squats, and lunges to help you tone your arms, legs, abs, and glutes.
Website: https://strong.zumba.com/en-US
YouTube: STRONG Nation
This 20-minute demo gives a preview of their 60-minute live class, but it’s a good enough workout on its own.
If you want to mix it up: POPSUGAR Fitness.
While not strictly Zumba, this channel has a dizzying array of workouts, typically a combination of dance and pretty much everything else, from kickboxing to Tabata to Barre. They put up new videos every couple of days, so there’s always something new to try—perfect for those who are bored by the same thing day after day.
YouTube: POPSUGAR Fitness
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Ready to commit to a daily workout? Keep a water bottle handy to stay hydrated, and create a playlist of YouTube videos so you can hit your target. If even a half-hour seems intimidating, you can just take several breaks throughout the day to do a quick three- to four-minute sweat sesh. Either way, the WHO will approve!