Dubbed by fans as “the most awesome workout ever,” Zumba has taken the fitness world by storm. This high-energy, high-excitement workout combines Latin dance moves with aerobic exercise, effectively torching calories while having an awesome time doing it.
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It’s the party-like energy and atmosphere of Zumba that keeps people coming back for more. Although it raises your heart rate and works up a sweat, it certainly doesn’t feel like exercise when you’re having this much fun.
Zumba in particular is great for people who are struggling to lose or maintain their weight, since what sets this unique workout apart is the entertainment factor. You’re much likely to stick to a workout if it feels like an exciting activity rather than a tedious chore, and virtually no one is bored during a Zumba class.
How Many Calories Does Zumba Burn?
Zumba classes typically vary in intensity, and the number of calories you burn will largely depend on the following individualistic factors of the person participating in Zumba, including weight, fitness level and body/muscle composition.
Generally speaking, you can burn anywhere between 500 to 800 calories (!) in an hour-long Zumba session. On average, a person who weighs 150lb can expect to burn 536 calories with an hour-long session.
By comparison, the same person would burn 413 calories during an hour of moderate swimming, 477 calories during an hour of casual racquetball, and 684 calories during an hour of running at a 10-minute mile pace.
Of course, everyone is different, so the most accurate way to measure calories burned is to use a heart rate monitor.
Keep in mind however, that while burning calories and torching fat is essential to any great workout, it’s hardly the be-all-end-all of great fitness — especially if you’re thinking long-term. If you’re absolutely loving your Zumba workouts (and getting fit while doing them!), you’re already well on your way to a healthier, happier you.