Anyone who wants to dance with the stars but doesn’t have a partner doesn’t need to give up on the dream. Instead, sign up for a Zumba Gold class.
Zumba Gold, a version of the hot Latin-inspired dance-fitness craze modified for those older than age 50, takes advantage of the sustained movement of salsa, samba and cumbia. This exercise also relies on the moves of belly dance, flamenco and cha cha.
The aerobic exercise produced by those who participate in Zumba Gold likely is a good step toward controlling heart disease or its onset. Heart disease is the nation’s No. 1 killer.
A regular fitness regimen, such as Zumba Gold, also helps control high blood pressure, diabetes and the formation of blood clots, which also can be factors present in heart disease.
Joining a Zumba Gold class also affords a senior the chance to get out and be social. As men and women age, it’s easy to become more sedentary and as a result, more lonely. Getting out and being active is not only good for the heart, but good for a healthy disposition.
Zumba Fitness, considered the world’s most successful dance-fitness program with more than 10 million participants worldwide, started in 2001 in Cali, Columbia when fitness instructor Alberto Perez forgot his usual aerobics music. Improvising, he developed a new dance-fitness style, that can be specially tailored for audiences from children to seniors.
Some consider Zumba Gold “exercise in disguise” because of its highly social element and the feeling of attending a dance party. Many people report they slip into the energy and the rhythm of it so effortlessly, they forget the time.
Zumba Gold takes the dance rhythms at a slower pace, at a lesser intensity and with easier choreography to accommodate the varied physical abilities of beginners and seniors. Depending on the intensity, an hour of Zumba Gold can burn between 500 and 1,000 calories.
Unlike many other forms of exercise, Zumba Gold does not require special clothing or equipment. All participants need is comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and aerobic or court shoes.
Some places that have offered Zumba Gold classes include the YMCA. Depending on who is offering the classes, they can be paid individually or by multi-class sessions.
Danielle is an advocate of Zumba and their affiliate programs, such as Zumba Gold, ever since experiencing positive impacts on her own health through participation in a local Zumba class. Read about her focus on health and active living at eatbreatheblog.com
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