Zumba classes hit the pool

Global lifestyle brand Zumba Fitness is launching Aqua Zumba®, a water-based version of the globally successful Zumba® workout.

Following the traditional Zumba formula already popular with more than 12 million weekly participants worldwide, the Aqua Zumba program adapts the routines to use water resistance for a safe and extremely effective aquatic workout.

The program is offered by Zumba Fitness-trained instructors at locations across the country including fitness clubs, community centres and rehabilitation centres. Currently in Australia and New Zealand, more than 10,000 people take Aqua Zumba classes every week.

With the added element of water resistance, participants are able to get a complete workout in half the time because the resistance of the water is 12 times that on land, according to Zumba Education Specialist Maria Teresa Stone.

Stone explains "aquatic workouts provide tremendous benefits for the body, but they're also fun and invigorating, especially during the hot summer months.

"The aqua sessions bring to the pool the same fun and carefree environment that Zumba classes are famous for - it's not like attending a fitness class, it's like dropping in to a pool party.

"Aqua Zumba classes are also a smart alternative for those whose movements are confined due to injury, chronic pain or those going through rehabilitation."

To ensure key health elements were addressed when creating the program, Zumba Fitness consulted with former Reebok Master Trainer Joy Prouty, Maria Browning, and Mimi Rodriguez Adami, all seasoned veterans of the fitness world.

Zumba® Fitness is a global lifestyle brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-party workout. Coined 'fitness-parties', Zumba classes blend upbeat world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography, which provide effective, total-body workouts. Founded in 2001, the company is now the largest branded fitness program in the world - reporting more than 12 million weekly class participants, in over 110,000 locations, across more than 125 countries.

To view schedules of Aqua Zumba classes go to www.zumba.com/aqua

27th February 2011 - ZUMBA SHAKES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES