Zumba - Fun and beneficial?

I know you have heard about it. But, have you tried it? At The Fit Factory we are firm believers in science and only support training methods that yield results. So, you may ask, can I achieve my fitness goals by engaging in an activity that some would consider purely fun?

What is Zumba? Zumba is a dance fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance in an effort to make exercise fun. Zumba is recognized by America's leading fitness organizations and is taught in some 90,000 locations worldwide including The Fit Factory in downtown Modesto.

While resistance training is extremely important to maintain muscle, especially with age, resistance training generally focuses on specific muscle groups. When you jump on that treadmill, step mill, bike, or eliptical for cardio, even then, it's really the lower body muscle groups that are isolated. Zumba raises your heart rate thus providing a great aerobic workout along with a total body toning routine.

Health benefits - You will notice this taking place almost immediately. As you are engaged in the fun of Zumba you will begin to breathe more deeply and faster which maximizes the amount of oxygen in your blood. In turn, your heart beats faster increasing blood flow to your working muscles and back to your lungs. Small blood vessels widen delivering more oxygen to your muscles and carry away waste products. Waste products like lactic acid, the stuff that makes your muscles burn, and carbon dioxide. And all this causes your body to release endorphins which are natural painkillers that promote an increased sense of well being.

So, besides benefits of increased metabolism and burning calories we find that our lungs, heart, and mind benefit as well.

And about your mind. Zumba can be a great stress release. Some feel Zumba is better than therapy! Besides releasing those endorphins many are swept away and lose themselves in the music. You may have heard of Cortisol, that lovely hormone produced by the adrenal gland in responce to stress. It can shut down the immune system, the reproductive system, and eat away muscle. It's no wonder that Cortisol is linked to appetite and obesity. Save yourself now and do Zumba!

Burn Calories- We have found Interval Training to be one of the best ways to burn overall calories. This is the reason we have created and perfected a Group Circuit Training program that is unmatched anywhere! Interval Training is essentially bursts of high intensity work alternated with periods of rest or lower intensity activity. Zumba is another form of Interval Training where you can burn as many as 800 calories in one session! Can you get that on the treadmill while working your entire body?

There are countless studies about the benefits of this type of training. One fact I find MOST interesting is that people who participate in regular aerobic exercise appear to live longer than those who don't exercise regularly. At The Fit Factory we are excited about the science behind our training protocols and the results that they achieve. We offer Zumba at 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mention this article and get a week on me! I want you to see and feel the benefits. I want you to enjoy your cardio. And most of all I want you to do so in the five star facility that facilitating real results for all of our clients. The Fit Factory is at 1314 9th street downtown Modesto!

sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zumba
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aerobic-exercise/EP00002
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interval_training