MIRI: Mention Zumba and almost anyone would give a vigorous nod, indicating how famous the name is, and how it has set young and old twirling to the same workout these days.

In short, Zumba is becoming a household word here and worldwide too, for those who love exercise to keep fit and of course, stay healthy.

Joining the health fad is Gymkhana Club Miri (GCM), where it charges just RM6 per person per session for club members and RM10 for non-members.

The Zumba dance class is held at its multi-purpose hall on Wednesdays and Fridays, with Filipino instructors Joe Michael P Sanguyo and Julito or Lito Ame. To join the class, call GCM at 085-434655.

As Zumba has overtaken aerobics as a fitness workout, one ponders the origin of the Latin-sounding dance.

Beto Perez was an aerobics instructor from Colombia, but found it quite a boring routine. One day, in the 1990s when he went to class, he left his regular aerobics music at home. He looked into his bag, took out some salsa and meringue tapes, popped them into the sound system, and taught the first-ever Zumba class.

He realised that traditional salsa and meringue music with a combination of non-traditional aerobic music was a good mix for a dance workout.

He tried it out and finding the initial success in Columbia, he moved to the US in 2001 where he teamed up with a co-founder Alberto Periman and a childhood friend, Coo Alberto Aghiton.

The trio produced a demo reel and the concept was discovered and licensed by a company Fitness Quest which was established to create a direct marketing campaign and a line of home video.

As Zumba offers different options, its proponents claim that it is safe for all ages. Some classes are aimed at the elderly, to build strength, improve motion and posture, and of course, to socialise.

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