I have always loved dancing. I used to be a regular clubber, going out with friends on the weekend and dancing the night away. Unfortunately, all my friends reached a certain age, settled down and stopped going out. About the same time, four years ago, my gym introduced a new workout class called Zumba. I’d never done anything like it before: it was a fitness class, but it also introduced me to a new style of dance. Now I drag myself out of bed every Sunday morning just for Zumba.

I’ve been at my gym for 10 years and have tried pretty much every class going – Pilates, body conditioning, legs, bums and tums – but Zumba is top of my list. It’s a 45-minute fitness class where the instructor stands at the front of the studio and we all face her, shadowing her steps and movements. It’s more like joining a party. It’s a solo activity: you all move around the studio in sync, doing different sequences of choreographed steps along to music.

A lot of the movements are recognisable from other dance forms, from salsa and flamenco to hip-hop and contemporary. Every three weeks or so, the instructor will mix it up and introduce new steps. As a regular, it’s enough time to practice and learn the sequences without getting bored. Sometimes, I’ll miss a step here or there, but it really doesn’t matter: the steps are repeated, so you join back in when you’re ready.

The music is as varied as the movement, with songs from different genres and from all over the world. Whatever the style, the choreography suits it brilliantly, so you really get into it. Some songs are slower, allowing you to take a bit of a breather, while others are fast, making for a high-intensity workout. It can be hard work physically, but you’re having so much fun, you don’t notice you’re burning calories. It’s the only group workout I’ve done where pretty much everyone has a smile on their face.

My weekend workout



Favourite music to dance to? Latin American, such as reggaeton and salsa.

Post-Zumba recovery snack? I make protein shakes: peanut butter and banana is probably my favourite.

Five ways to get started: Zumba



1 If you’re feeling self-conscious about joining a class, but want to give it a go, there are lots of YouTube videos and Zumba DVDs, which are helpful for learning the basics. Get some friends round and turn it into a party.

2 It doesn’t matter how fit you are, or whether you’ve got an injury or a disability, Zumba can be adapted by the instructor according to your individual needs.

3 The most important thing is to feel comfortable, so wear something tight or baggy, plain or sparkly. Trainers are also essential, because there’s lots of high-impact jumping and twisting.

4 The most basic step that’s used in a lot of tracks comes from salsa. Step forward with your right foot, back with your left, then bring your right foot back to meet your left one, in a one-two-three rhythm.

5 Nowadays, it’s highly likely that any local leisure centre will offer Zumba classes; there will probably be a regular class in a local community hall, too. Enter your postcode on the Zumba website to find the nearest one.

Nina Shadi, Zumba instructor at Fitness First

Essential kit

