The Latin lyrics and the upbeat tempo start bringing smiles to the classmates. Their hips start to shimmy. Their feet move in rhythm. If their arms moving up and down held drinks, it would feel like a nightclub. But this is the regular 7 p.m. class of Zumba, a fitness program designed to a soundtrack of Latin dance music. Zumba's motto: "Ditch the workout. Join the party."
Zumba began accidentally during the 1990s in Colombia. Beto Perez, a fitness instructor there, forgot his regular music one day and brought in his own salsa and merengue music instead. When Perez came to the United States, his serendipity spawned a multimillion-dollar market with sponsorships, home videos and instructors certified in Europe and Asia as well as the Americas.
That's how studio owner Linda Porras figured it could work locally. Starting three years ago, she became a certified instructor, hired other instructors to teach classes and formed the group Zumba Dallas. Now Porras says business has grown to more than 30 classes in five facilities, including recreation centers.
"It's kind of like a party as opposed to a workout, which, I think, is why it's so successful," Porras said. "We say, 'Three guidelines: Have fun, have fun and have fun.' "
Enid Rodriguez came to the Forest Lane studio in northwest Dallas determined to end her obesity. She admitted that in her first class, she couldn't stop laughing at the hip swiveling of a Zumba routine.
"Some of the moves, it's like, 'You really want me to do that here?' " said Rodriguez, 32, of Dallas.
Since that class in January 2008, she has lost 70 pounds. While she credits healthier eating habits as well, Zumba gave her more energy and self-confidence. The studio now displays her before and after photos prominently, encouraging people of all sizes.
"That's what's different about here," she said. "It's a mixture of all kinds of bodies, and they don't care. They don't judge you. You're just there to work out and have fun."
Shari Krage, an elementary school teacher, did not need a weight-loss program as much as a stress reliever. After first thinking Zumba was an African tribal dance, she took a class and became hooked. Now a self-described fanatic, she sometimes takes classes twice a day and brings her friends.
"Four of the girls that I teach with that are now also going every day are 25 years my junior," said Krage, 49, of Plano. "They're not exactly keeping up with me, but they're going."
Porras' direct-mail efforts led Pat Ritzman to try a class last year. Ritzman, who said she is in her 70s, now regularly dances to the Zumba beat. She said the relaxed nature of the class appealed to her. If she misses a dance step, who cares.
"You're not trying out for American Idol or anything like that," she said. "I'll never be the greatest Zumba dancer. I don't care. I'm just having fun."
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