Above the crowded, hardwood dance floor, hips gyrate, shoulders shimmy, feet hop and slide to a spicy Latin beat. A long, mirrored wall reflects sparks of childlike excitement in dancing eyes.
It feels like Saturday night at a Salsa hot spot, but it's actually Wednesday morning at the YMCA in Bonita Springs, Florida. In stretch pants, T-shirt, and glittering belly dance belt, Angeli Chin-Franz amps up the volume and yells, "Let's Zumba!"
Derived from a Colombian word meaning "move fast and have fun," Zumba (ZOOM-bah) combines dance and aerobics. A blend of calypso, salsa, merengue, cumbia and other International tempos, the workout has taken a firm hold in many fitness centers.
Maribel Falcon is a Cuban-American who leads Zumba in Naples, Florida. "Latin music and dance have always been in my blood," she says. "It's heartwarming to see this activity derived from my culture, enjoyed by people from various ethnic backgrounds."
Zumba's originator, Miami choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez, brought the innovation to Florida from his native Colombia in 1999. Now, there are over ten thousand certified instructors to lead Zumba classes in the U.S., along with five thousand in other countries. Zumba DVDs have sold millions of copies.
"People get into the rhythms, and forget they're working out," Perez explains. "It's possible to burn up to a thousand calories in one session."
Zumba's popularity arose as Latin dance started gaining a following on Reality TV shows, like “Dancing with the Stars."
"It's a sexy kind of dance," says Yvette Vinci, age 33. "You can take this home and show your husband."
At her first Zumba class, Vinci worried about keeping up with the steps. "I thought I was out of shape from working at a desk eight hours a day," she says, "but I did pretty well."
Nonverbal cues make Zumba a unique workout, Vinci adds. "I got into the music, without having to listen for instructions," she says.
"This is fun," says Marianne Ela, age 44, while wiping away sweat and sipping water at the close of Chin-Franz's class.
"I'm from Norway, where I used to teach waltz, polka, and folk dances," she says. "People who like to dance, love Zumba."
Ela liked the belly dance and Irish jig led by Chin-Franz today. "But Latin dances are really at the heart of this workout," she says.
"We don't worry about missing a step," says Chin-Franz. "Each person brings a unique flair, and as long as you're moving, you're keeping fit."
That is why exercise enthusiasts of any age and fitness level can succeed at Zumba. "We get a huge range of ages in class," Falcon says. "An 85 year-old man attends twice a week, and some parents bring their children."
Zumba quickly spread from Miami to the west coast. "We've been getting a high demand for it here in Los Angeles," says Kumbi Butler, studio manager and fitness trainer at Heartbeat House Dance Studio. "It's easy to follow the moves, and the varied intensity levels tone your muscles and keep your heart healthy," she says.
In 1999, Perez teamed up with Miami entrepreneurs Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion to create a global company based on the Zumba fitness philosophy.
"They've channeled this energy into a business that benefits instructors, employees, and consumers," Perez says. "It's a win-win-win."
"I really want to acknowledge our instructors," he adds. "Their success is what makes Zumba grow."
Working with Kellogg to reach the Hispanic market in the United States and abroad, millions of Special K cereal boxes feature Zumba.
In 2004, the company released a Spanish-language infomercial in more than 30 countries, resulting in a huge boost of DVD sales. Currently, over 40,000 locations in 75 countries hold Zumba workouts, with five million participants taking classes each week.
In 2008, they launched a third DVD collection with direct response industry leader Guthy Renker. Zumba Fitness shares the fruits of its success through annual "Zumbathons." Nearly a thousand participants attended the first Zumbathon in Miami, in 2006. This year, numerous cities offered Zumbathons, with proceeds going to local health and wellness agencies.
Chin-Franz sees Zumba as a great remedy for stress. "People walk in with their faces down and shoulders hunched forward," she says. "Then they come alive with the rhythm, and dance their troubles away. It's exhilarating."
Find a Zumba class in your area by visiting the website: www.zumba.com