Aqua Zumba

Today I'm going to tell you about Aqua Zumba...that's right folks, you can Zumba in the pool, too.

I got certified to teach Aqua Zumba about 18 months ago.  I've been teaching about once a week ever since.    

Check out this video for a better idea of what Aqua Zumba actually is: 

Aqua Zumba, or water-based fitness in general is a great option for people who are severely overweight or have bad joints.  There is less gravity in the water, so it is not as hard on your joints to move around in a pool.

But it's still a great workout (if you do it correctly).  If you are completely inactive and have a daunting amount of weight to lose to get to a healthy level, Aqua Zumba is a great way to start moving.  

But, it's not for everyone.  In fact, it's my least favorite class to teach at the Rec because we don't have a  huge clientele for water-based classes.  Let's be honest...not very many college students have time to change clothes and get into the pool just for their workouts.  Plus, most college-aged people are looking for a more intense workout.  

It's worth a try for everyone, though.  Even if it's not your favorite workout, it's a whole lot of fun!  Bring a friend and jump on in!       

Dance Marathon

Today I'm going to tell you about a cause that I think is really fantastic, and if you like to Zumba you'll really enjoy getting involved with it.

It's called Dance Marathon, and it's exactly what it sounds like: hours and hours and hours of dancing without stopping.  What makes it a good cause?  It's a fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network hospitals.

There are bunches of Dance Marathon Fundraisers across the country every year.  I got involved with DM on my college campus last year.  I participated as a dancer, and danced for 12 straight hours (without sitting down!), all for the kids.  I also taught an hour long Zumba class that was part of the marathon.

Needless to say it was a blast and a half!  And, the marathon raised over $76,000 for the children's hospital!

So this year, I'm trying to get as many people involved in Dance Marathon as I possible can. Luck for me, a lot of my best friends are involved directly with the executive board!  A few weeks ago, they asked me to teach a free Zumba class as a part of DM's recruitment week.  It was awesome!  If you were wondering who the crazy people dancing behind the student center were, that was us!  Pictures to come very soon, I promise.

In this blog, I talk a lot about finding what you like to do, and then doing it to keep your body healthy.  Well, that can be applied to a much larger scale.  Use your talents and the things you enjoy to help the greater good.  If what you enjoy is dancing, check out Dance Marathon!  

Like Mother like Daughter

 A lot of people ask how I decided to become a fitness instructor.  It was a really easy choice for me because I've been in gyms and around group fitness classes my whole life.  Why, you ask?  My mom is a fitness instructor, too!  

When I was a baby, my mom joined a gym so that she could have time to take a shower while someone else held the baby.  It didn't take her long to figure out that she'd be really good at teaching classes, and next thing you know she got certified.  She's been teaching aerobics ever since.   

Having a fitness professional as a parent can be strange sometimes.  Like, when you're in the gym's nursery and hear your mom's voice but can't figure out where she is.  Really, she's shouting on a microphone in another room.  

But, I learned a lot of skills, too.  I learned how to effectively cue a class and keep energy and morale high.  I learned how an instructor should treat students and handle different situations.   

My mom knew that teaching would be a great part time job for a college student.  So, when I finished high school my mom gave me a fitness certification course as a graduation present.  And I've been teaching ever since!  

So, that's how I got into fitness.  Like mother, like daughter.     

Keep dancing! 

Let's get some shoes.

As with most forms of exercise, footwear is VERY important if you're going to get serious about Zumba.

Look for a shoe with little or no tread on the bottom.  You should be able to twist and turn on the dance floor without sticking.  Although it's ok to try out your first class wearing your running shoes, if you want to make Zumba a routine you need to invest in better shoes.  Running shoes with tread on the bottom are designed to keep your foot in one place and in a straight line.  In Zumba, you're going to be moving your foot out of that line.  Wearing the wrong shoes over and over again can put your ankles and knees in danger.      

I wear Nike cross trainers.  Check it out- almost no tread on the bottom.

If you're going to be attending a lot of Zumba classes, you might want to consider two different pairs of shoes.  Since I teach between 5 and 7 classes each week, I alternate between two pairs of shoes.  I've found that dancing in the same shoes day after day makes my feet sore.  It also led to a nasty case of achilles tendinitis in 2011.

Don't be afraid to dance around the store when you're trying on shoes!  Here's a list of motions you should try out BEFORE you invest in a pair of Zumba shoes:

• Jumping up and down
• Twisting your feet from side to side
• Turning around
• Running
• Salsa step 

My last piece of advice is to not be afraid of splurging on a good pair of shoes.  A quality shoe will last longer than a cheap one, and it will be kinder to your feet.  It's absolutely worth it to buy a better pair of shoes.    

Keep dancing!