Know Before You Go: Zumba Class

Aficionados don’t think of Zumba as a workout—it’s more like going to a party where you happen to burn a load of calories while having a ton of fun. “Zumba is like exercise in disguise,” says instructor Michele Bastos, the U.S. regional group fitness manager for Crunch Fitness. It’s also a worldwide phenomenon, with classes now offered in 180 countries and with more than 15 million participants dancing through the workout each year. “For one hour you can just walk in and forget about everything else going on!” Bastos says. Here’s the scoop on this ever-popular dance workout.

Lots of energy. Zumba routines feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. “You’re going the whole time,” Wagner says. “The goal is to get your heart rate up but in a way that you can keep at it for a full hour.”

Athletic shoes. No dance pumps here: Zumba is still at heart a workout, which means you need the appropriate footwear. Look for an athletic shoe that offers ankle support since you’ll be doing a lot of turning and pivoting. “There will be lots of boom-boom shaking and shimmying as well as a combination of high- and low-impact moves,” Bastos says, “and the use of athletic shoes will help with absorbing impact and overall support.”

Workout clothes. Something about the upbeat nature of the class makes students want to wear bright, happy hues, Wagner says. Just be sure whatever you’re wearing can help wick away the sweat that comes from moving your feet—and the rest of you—to the beat.