Wright State offers several different fitness classes every week. Of these, the most popular seems to be Zumba. Zumba is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. and is taught by Jan Wineberg.
Zumba is a fitness program that combines Latin dancing routines to offer anaerobic interval training. Created in 1990, Zumba has continued to increase in popularity ever since. Zumba is praised as being a great workout, especially for those people who do not enjoy the typical forms of working out, such as running or lifting weights. A single class can burn anywhere from 600 to 1000 calories or more in just an hour. It also tones your entire body and keeps your heart rate up.
WRIGHT LIFE: Student Spotlight: Trey Brown
A study in the American Journal of Health Behavior showed that when women with type 2 diabetes and obesity tried Zumba twice a week for several weeks they lost an average of 2.5 pounds as well as 1 percent body fat. The most important result of the study was that these women enjoyed Zumba so much that they made it a habit to go, even after the study was over.
Senior Karly Boerger frequents Zumba for its de-stressing qualities.
“Zumba helps me clear my mind of the stresses of college and helps me focus on having fun for an hour,” said Boerger.
This kind of stress relief can be beneficial to students because studies show that exercise is very effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration and enhancing overall cognitive function.
The quality of the workout is another aspect of Zumba that many people enjoy, Boerger included.
LATEST: Reuters journalists sentenced to seven years of prison in Myanmar
“I love burning 700-900 calories and not knowing and then being able to get ice cream after. I have a good workout and then I feel like I can eat what I want. I work out to eat,” added Boerger.
Wineberg loves teaching Zumba because it has so many health benefits and because it is fun.
“Zumba is fun! And the more fun you have the more likely you are to keep doing it. Many people say they have so much fun dancing that they forget they are exercising,” said Wineberg, who considers Zumba to be her “hour of joy.”
Wineberg explained the many health benefits of Zumba, including weight loss, improved coordination, body toning and heart health.
“Zumba really boosts your heart health. You get aerobic benefits as well as anaerobic which helps you maintain a good cardiovascular respiratory system,” Wineberg explained.
Zumba is offered twice a week in the Wright State fitness center for all staff, students, faculty or associates that want to give it a try.
