Zumba is popular all over the country, but especially in a 55+ community. If you're looking for a way to have fun and increase your fitness levels, consider participating in a Zumba world record class.

When most people think of a 55+ community, they may think of calm

moments spent golfing, playing bridge and more. However, many residents

living in a 55+ community are finding that Zumba is one of the most

enjoyable and fast paced activities that these communities have to

offer. Whether you're currently living in a 55+ community or you're just

considering moving into one, learn how this dance can help you meet new

people and get healthy at the same time.

What Is Zumba?

Zumba is one of the most popular exercise crazes around. Members dance

to Latin-inspired music with moves that are borrowed from a number of

different dance styles, such as hip-hop, salsa, mambo and more. The

dances are lead by an instructor and everything is designed to be fun.

Many dancers have found that Zumba can be addicting, especially since

this fitness class doesn't require any special equipment or clothing.

Classes all over the country are packed to capacity as people of all

ages dance their way towards better fitness.

Why Is It Ideal For A 55+ Community?

The dance is popular for all ages and the moves can be easily modified

for people with health or fitness restrictions. Since dancers try to

mimic the instructor's moves, everyone gets to move along at their own

pace. While some people are concerned that they're not great dancers,

the truth is that Zumba dancers are incredibly welcoming. Everyone

started at the same level and most people report that they're so busy

watching the instructor that they don't even notice how everyone else is

completing the moves! If you've never danced before, or it's been a

while, consider signing up for a class at a 55+ community and see what

all the fuss is about. You might be surprised at how quickly you can

become addicted to this popular dance form.

How Some Communities Are Taking Zumba To The Next Level

The fitness craze has become so popular that it's possible to find a 55+

community with an active class schedule. Some communities are even

attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records record for the

biggest class. Imagine being a part of the largest Zumba class in the

world and knowing that you were a part of the Guinness Book of World

Records!

While this fitness themed dance is one of the most popular, it's not the

only activity you can find in communities that cater to seniors. If

you're considering seeing what these active living facilities have to

offer you, call one and ask if you can plan a weekend visit and see what

types of activities are offered first hand. You might be surprised at

all the unique activities offered, like Zumba! 

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Zumba zooms to the top of the exercise world

It's not a dance club. This is a regular morning exercise class at the YMCA in Alpharetta, Georgia. It's called Zumba.

Part dance, part aerobics, Zumba is an hourlong routine that works almost every muscle in the body.

"It is dance fitness," explained Stephanie Maxim, one of two class instructors. "We teach them moves that you can see on 'Dancing with the Stars': salsa, mambo, cha-cha, and we put it into a group fitness format."

"It's not like a workout," explained Diane Walterstiel, 55, of Alpharetta. "Before I come, I'm tense, but when I leave, I could kiss the world."

Nearly a year after being introduced at the YMCA in suburban Atlanta, Zumba is the most popular exercise offering at the facility.

Alberto Perlman, co-founder and CEO of Zumba Fitness in Hollywood, Florida, wasn't surprised when the concept took off not just in the United States but around the world.

"We turned exercise into a party," Perlman declared. "Zumba broke some of the rules of fitness. We used music in the original form instead of using step counts."

Perlman, whose background is in marketing, teamed up with Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in Miami in 2001.

"One day, Beto forgot his aerobics tapes, so he played his salsa and meringue songs during class in their original form," Perlman said. "People went crazy. They didn't feel like they were in a class with a drill sergeant."

Perlman said Perez decided to call the exercise Zumba, after the Colombian slang word meaning to buzz like a bee or move fast.

Zumba is now a brand name. Since 2003, Perlman's group has trained 20,000 instructors around the world and sold more than 3 million DVDs on the Internet and through infomercials, he said.

Heather Bleakman teamed up with Maxim to teach the Georgia YMCA session. She called the class a form of therapy.

"We see women change," she said. "We see their faces light up."

Bleakman stood at the front of the room and offered a high-impact version of Zumba for those who could keep up while Maxim focused on a slower low-impact routine.axim warned participants at the beginning of class to modify the exercise to fit their needs. She added that wearing proper footwear is one of the best ways to guard against injury.

"In Zumba, we do a lot of pivoting, so you've got to have a shoe that has more of a flat base so you can move, or you'll feel the torque in the knee," Maxim cautioned.

Lilieth Burke, 48, of Alpharetta started attending Zumba classes a year ago and kept coming back because she appreciated "the simple composition of dance moves."

Unlike other exercise workouts she's tried, "Zumba is not a punishment," she said.

Burke summed up the benefits: "I feel fit, I sleep better, I feel better, I feel younger, and I feel I can live another 48 years.