Zumba + Toning classes in Winchester, Hampshire
Looking for Zumba classes in Winchester, Hampshire? Zumba classes with Helen are held at the ‘en Joy dance fitness studio in Otterbourne and also in Colden Common.
What is Zumba?
Zumba isn’t just a dance fitness class – it’s a dance fitness party! With an awesome original Zumba soundtrack filled with world rhythms (and a few chart hits thrown into the mix), you’ll be too busy having fun to notice you’re working out! Zumba is a follow-along class and as a general rule, Zumba instructors do not verbally cue within a class, allowing the participants to fully appreciate and enjoy the music. Each class should feel like a party and we don’t want to spoil that atmosphere by speaking through the tracks! But don’t worry if you find it tricky to pick up the moves, they will start to become more natural to you after a few classes, honest! In a Zumba class, it really doesn’t matter if you don’t get all the steps straight away, it isn’t about your dance technique or ability, a Zumba class is much more about having fun, raising the heart rate and dancing along to the music – even if you are freestyling your own routine!
What is Zumba Toning?
Zumba + TONE combines the usual Zumba fitness party atmosphere with optional use of maraca-style Zumba Toning Sticks for some of the routines. At just 1lb each, they add just enough resistance to help tone and strengthen the muscles, while also allowing you to shake them and use them as instruments in time with the music, adding another element of fun to this class. Equipment is provided and thoroughly cleaned between classes.
So different to any other Zumba class attended!
Louise
I love your classes and am so glad I found them – exercise that is fun with normal people like me.
Caroline
Have always enjoyed Zumba and I feel it’s a good all round exercise.
Anne
Classes are great fun and routines easy to follow.
Su
Zumba is like being at a party.
Jean
Is Zumba a suitable class for me?
All fitness levels are very welcome to join this class, no dance experience necessary!
The exercises in this class are aimed at adults. 14-17 year olds are permitted only with a parent/guardian also participating in the class. The parent/guardian must fill in the booking form and sign the declaration on behalf of the child.
Classes are taught by a fully qualified fitness professional with a specialism in healthy ageing and certifications in Zumba, Zumba Toning, Zumba Burst, Zumba Core and Zumba Glutes, along with the EMDUK ‘instructor ready mark’ for Covid compliance.
Please ensure you read the full terms and conditions before booking your space. You will be required to fill in a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire during the booking process and you are responsible for checking with your doctor to ensure you are able to participate in the activity.
Booking in advance is currently essential. Your safety and wellbeing remains a priority and there will still be a limit on numbers for the foreseeable future, thank you for your co-operation.
A little more about Zumba
Zumba’s basic rhythms include salsa, merengue, reggaeton and cumbia, with many more world rhythms also thrown into the mix. With both low and high intensity steps, Zumba is an effective high-energy cardio workout which can feel more like a party than a class and is often referred to as exercise in disguise!
Zumba routines are designed to be easily followed and instructors are trained to use visual cues such as hand gestures, when required, rather than speaking over the music. One of Zumba’s most common catchphrases is “less talk, more dance”, allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in the music, have fun, enjoy the atmosphere and maybe even forget they are exercising!
A Zumba class begins with a warm up including cardio pulse-raising steps, muscle preparation and joint mobility, along with plenty of dynamic stretches to get the body ready for the main workout. In a Zumba class, there are no break-downs of the steps and no stopping and starting between the tracks, in order to keep the body warmed up and to maximise the non-stop party atmosphere.
Zumba Toning is much more fun than a standard weighted exercise class! You won’t find any jumpy, super high impact movements in the toning section, as we need to keep the weighted arm movements controlled to reduce any risk of injury. While it may seem like the focus is only on toning the arms, adding resistance to a workout can help to strengthen the whole body. In keeping the core engaged, Zumba Toning helps to tone the abdominals and obliques, while adding balance challenges and squats really helps strengthen the legs and glutes. You’re unlikely to develop huge biceps from Zumba Toning, but in time you’ll notice improved upper body, core strength and functional fitness which will help you carry out daily tasks (such as carrying shopping bags or picking up a heavy basket full of laundry!)
Using the Toning Sticks is of course entirely optional and if you’d prefer to dance the whole session without them, that’s absolutely fine – you do you!
One of the principles of Zumba is to keep moving, even if you’re moving in the opposite direction to everyone else – no-one is judging you, they are all focusing on what their own bodies are doing! As long as you are moving, you are doing it right, even if you are freestyling your own routine! You get out of a workout what you put in to it and as long as you keep marching, wiggling, shimmying, shuffling with enthusiasm, you will reap the benefits, both physically and mentally, and hopefully leave the class with a huge smile and a little bit sweaty! We will of course finish with a cooldown routine, bringing the heart rate back down and stretching out the muscles.
What to wear for a Zumba class
Please wear something you are comfortable moving in. Leggings or joggers and a t-shirt are ideal, plus an extra layer for colder days. Trainers are ideal, particularly ones designed with dancing in mind, but any comfortable and supportive trainers will be fine.
I have really enjoyed Broadway Boogie and Zumba, thanks Helen! There’s no pressure to keep up with everyone, Helen always has a smile, and the groups have been really friendly.
Shani
I love your classes they are so much fun ?
Michaela