A new type of exercise has come to the SMC gym. A form of exercise that not only works out the body but is fun and easy to do, Zumba Dancing. Sitting in on the class on Sunday at 6:30pm, I observed this very interesting dance style.
Zumba dancing is a combination of stylish and very rhythmic dance steps that go along well with the music provided.
The music played during each phase of the workout had different tempos depending on whether it was a full work out, a warm up, or a cool down.
However, they all had one thing in common: emphasis on drums.
This particular music fits this dance style since the moves match each drumbeat and can be fast or slow depending on the song.
Each dance step has its own benefits for the body. Doing fast repetetive movements to the beat a effectively gives muscles full exercise. However, the most important aspect of this exercise is that it is fun

Amanda Maya, a sophomore Anthropology major, is the instructor in the Zamba class. It meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. Many MU students find this workout much more enjoyable with the upbeat music and the dance moves. Zumba is a fun way to get in shape for the bathing suit season. Photo by: Christian Shuts.
While following the moves given by the instructor and at the same time listening to such great music, just makes you want to get on your feet and dance.
The instructor of the Sunday class, Amanda Maya, who has been teaching Zumba for three months now, stated that it was the fact that this dancing style was so fun that she continued to use it as her form of exercise ever since she started in her hometown gym.
If you want to learn a new exercise that is fun, easy and effective, come to the SMC to ask about classes.
I recommend this exercise as an all around good time to let loose and have fun dancing away stress that has built up. I hope you check it out.
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This is a great article about the benefits of Zumba. While the focus of the Zumba dance is the use of Latin and upbeat music it also incorporates hip-hop, country western, African beats as well as popular music.