Zumba® 101 / FAQ

Who attends Zumba classes – can guys be a part of it, too?

Hey, it was a guy who created Zumba – ("Beto" Perez)! (See picture of "Scary" Christi and Gorgeous Beto at 2009 Zumba Convention. And Christi and Kathy Smith -- yes, THE Kathy Smith). Zumba attracts

people of ALL ages (male and female) who are looking for something fun that isn’t boring, that burns calories, provides an amazing ab/core workout while sizzling fat and building muscle. However, if you are pregnant or have a major cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic disease, this class is probably not for you. Consult your doctor if you are unsure.

What is the Studio policy regarding children?

Due to safety and liability reasons and to minimize any disruption and distractions of clients, no children ages 15 and under are allowed:

1) in classes/programs
2) or in the Studio during classes/programs

unless they meet the following requirements:

They are 1) paying participants; 2) 14 or older; AND 2) they must also receive management's approval.

It is difficult to properly and safely supervise children while a parent or guardian is attending a class. We hope to be offering Zumbatomic in the coming months -- a Zumba class that has been specifically designed for children under the age of 15. A child that is 14 or older may have the opportunity to participate in an adult Zumba class, but would need approval from management. Our fitness philosophy embraces children of all ages as positive body image cannot start too early and diversity in our classes is beneficial. However, we must balance safety concerns, liabilities and the needs and expectations of clients with our philosophies. This policy is effective as of September 30, 2009.

What are the benefits of a Zumba class?

 It’s “exercise in disguise!” Zumba will get your heart pumping, work to de-stress you, energize you and increase your endurance. The moves will work your core and your entire body to strengthen and define. Besides the physical benefits, Zumba is a "feel good" workout, not a dreaded chore – the music is motivating and did we mention – fun! Results vary by individual and depend on nutrition behaviors and frequency of exercise.

I have two left feet and I am not coordinated, can I learn Zumba?

Welcome to the party – so did I and I’m now an Instructor! So absolutely! You’ll find it’s an amazingly supportive environment – don’t take it too seriously and you’ll catch on. Everyone is focused on getting into the music themselves – they won’t even see what you are doing! The Zumba routines may be challenging the first few times, maybe weeks, but the good news is that I do the same routines for about 8-10 weeks so that you can get proficient at them. It’s not like every single class is going to be brand new, but we’ll gradually add new moves to keep it movin’ and fresh!

Remember: basics first – feet – then arms/hips and so on. And, I’m always there before and after class to review a step or talk.

I’ve heard all sorts of statistics; tell me exactly how many calories a Zumba class will burn? 

It is very difficult to estimate the number of calories burned during a Zumba Class, because it depends on you, your body type, your body composition, the intensity, and the range of motion that you use with each workout. For example in one Zumba class, one participant could burn 500 calories, while another participant burns 1,000 calories. We recommend monitoring how you feel and compare it to other activities that you do and then estimate accordingly. You can also wear a heart rate monitor that tells you how many calories you are burning.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing that you would normally wear to the gym. Synthetic wicking fabrics are better than cotton. Remember, we’ll be working up a sweat, so dress lightly. You’ll love the line of Zumba apparel, too! 

Try different athletic tennis shoes to find the best one for you. Shoes with traction do work on our spring-loaded studio wood floors. Bring a towel and water to class, too.

Please make me aware of any injury or condition that may cause some discomfort. We can modify steps for you. If you have not exercised in a while, you may want to see your doctor to obtain clearance to start classes. Zumba can be intense, so go at your own pace and listen to your body. Take a break when you need one. You don't have to keep up with everyone else. We want you to have fun and come back!

How do I arrange to have a private Zumba party with friends?

Those are so much fun! Let me know where, when and what the party is for and we’ll put a party package plan in place. Have a blast at your next event: girls’ night, guys’ night, reunion, birthday, bachelor or bachelorette party, bridal party, Mother’s Day, holiday party, anniversary, office party, a “just for fun” event – you name it!

What about seniors?

I will refer you to another Zumba Instructor who has a Zumba Gold® Certification if you feel that a senior class would be more appropriate for you.

I'm not in Riverside and I want to attend classes, where do you suggest I go for Zumba Fitness Classes?

Inland Empire Zumba (inlandempirezumba.com). Katherine "Kat" Davis has locations in Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Redlands and Ontario. Kat brought Zumba to the IE in 2005 and has been trained by Beto himself and some of the best Master Trainers in the company. Kat also offers Zumba Gold for seniors.

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