BENEFITS OF ZUMBA
After my friend mentioned Zumba, I decided to look into it some more. It seems that it has a lot of benefits for menopausal women like us! First off, like all aerobic workouts, it supports the heart and helps prevent cardiovascular disease. This kind of exercise is extremely important for women in menopause, since the change brings a higher risk of heart disease with it.
Zumba can also help prevent osteoporosis. It tones the muscles, helping to support the bones and preserve bone density. And finally, since it involves so much movement, Zumba is a great tool to help you lose that menopausal midsection.
STARTING OUT
Zumba can be a high intensity workout, so it might not be suitable for everyone. Fortunately, there are Zumba Gold classes, which are aimed toward people of our age group. There are a lot of things you can do to prepare, like listening to some of the music beforehand and getting a good pair of dance shoes. You can always do Zumba at home, too, but the real party is at classes where everyone is letting loose. Here are some the two most important moves from my first class:
SALSA SLIDE
This is one of the easiest moves to start out with. Step to the side with your left foot, and then return it to the center. Then step out with your right foot, and return to the center. Don't forget to move your arms too for a full-body workout.
MERENGUE STEP
This is a two-beat step. Start off with your feet a few inches apart. On the first beat, lift up your right leg, moving your knee in the general direction of your chest. Then on the second beat, lower your right leg and raise your left leg like you did with the right leg.
It can definitely be hard to keep up at first, but Zumba is very enjoyable! Good luck and have fun!
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