It's fast, It's furious, it's fun: It's Zumba!!!

Zumba can be described as exciting, vibrant and exhausting, but only one word sums up this latest fitness dance craze: feisty.

The movements are jolting, dynamic, bold and in their own way invigorating like most Latin dances like salsa, reggaeton and merenge.

And that’s what brought the Bonita Springs YMCA to offer the class as part of it’s expanding group exercise and aerobics program.

“We wanted to add something that would be different because a lot of people want different things and it’s hard to find them for everyone,” said Cindy Roorda, the aerobics director for the Bonita Springs and Naples YMCA. “This is something that all ages and abilities can do and the good thing is that no matter what they are all smiling during the class.”

During an average Zumba class, there is no time for participants to get frustrated over not being able to follow the steps or even more than two minutes to rest.

The name “Zumba” comes from a Colombian word meaning to move fast and have fun.

“I keep them moving and always doing something so that they get the most out of it,” said Luz Marina Gil, the new instructor who moved from Miami to teach the class twice a week at the ‘Y.’ “It’s a mix of all types of music from different places and that keeps it interesting for everyone.”

In technical terms, Zumba is a fusion of international music that creates an effective exercise program but to the average participate it’s just plain fun.

“I love it! I love to dance and that’s why I took the class and it’s aggressive,” said Jeoff Gratton, 62, of Naples. He has only taken the class once but plans to return for more. “Everybody should try it and if you get tired just move to the music.”

The workout focuses on using the hips as a point of reference for all the moves that include moving from side to side, forward and back and up and down.

“Fun is what it’s all about and the music draws them in. It’s like a party environment,” said Gil, of Naples, who taught a few classes at the ‘Y’ to gauge member interest and saw demand soar. “I remind everybody to focus on the basics and have fun even if they can’t keep up.”

Nancy Maldonado, 22, signed up for the class because it was a different way to get involved with exercise.

“I usually go dancing on the weekends but I thought this would be a good way to exercise in a different way,” said Maldonado, of Bonita Springs. “I’ll be back. ... I think I got my workout for the day. Anything that makes you sweat this much is good.”

Sweating is just an added bonus in the classes, which use a combination of fast and slow movements to get people in shape.
“I try to incorporate flamenco from Spain, mambo, salsa and even if people aren’t used to dancing salsa, they can do it here,” said Gil, who started dancing at age two in the Dominican Republic and is a certified Zumba instructor.

The YMCA will be capping the classes at 30 participants and will charge a $15 monthly fee for members who will be allowed to take two classes a week.

“It’s good because it works out the muscles in the body and it’s really a workout,” said Gil, who encourages students to enjoy themselves no matter what. “You just have to keep moving. This is one of those classes where you don’t notice you are working out because it’s so much fun.”