Zumba finds a home in Woodbury

What do you get when you cross weight loss and toning with a little Latin culture, mix it with a dash of belly dancing and finish it up with a lot of fun?

According to fitness seekers, it’s “Zumba,” the relatively new Latin music-based, high-energy cardio regimen that is gaining popularity across the country very quickly.

“It's different. You probably never thought you'd be exercising to this type of music,” HALSA Fitness communications director, Michelle Pronsati said.

A native of Venezuela, instructor Mary Pirela first began teaching Zumba three years ago. HALSA Fitness has given Zumba a home in Woodbury since it opened in December.

“To be a Zumba instructor you need to be certified by the creator of this modality. His name is Beto Perez and he is from Colombia,” Pirela said. “I got certified for the first time in 2002 and since then I've been renewing my certification every year.”

Zumba uses a fusion of Latin and International music to combine a mixture of body sculpting movements with easy to follow dance steps. The routines are choreographed so that they feature aerobic and fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms. The combination is meant to help tone and sculpt the body through the movements.

Zumba targets the gluteus muscles, legs, arms, abdominals and the heart. Zumba is based on the principle that a workout should be fun and easy, which according to Zumba enthusiasts, makes it good for the body and the mind, setting participants in a “feel-good” mode afterwards.

“Zumba provides a party-like atmosphere. People have so much fun dancing that they don't feel that they are working really hard and burning calories,” Pirela said.

Published reports claim Zumba will burn between 400 and 600 calories per class. The class is believed by its participants to be more fun than a traditional aerobics class, which makes them stick with the program to get and maintain results.

The classes are family-oriented. Pirela said she has seen mothers, daughters, sisters and cousins all come in for a Zumba class, which averages about 12 attendees but can be as large as 60 participants.

“The energy is amazing,” Pirela said of the large classes. Even Pirela’s husband makes a class whenever he can.

Zumba classes at HALSA are held every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:45 a.m. For more information, visit www.halsafitness.us .

Reuer can be reached at wreuer@woodburybulletin.com