Get bikini ready with Zumba® Fitness

Dance yourself slim in 30 minutes a day with this workout by International Zumba Education Specialist Tanya Beardsley


Posted: 11 August 2011

Zumba shuffle
Zumba shuffle

ABS


Dancers and athletes know the advantages of having strong abs. All of our movements are powered by our torsos (the abs and back), which work together to support the spine when we sit, stand, bend over, pick things up, exercise and move. Your abs are part of the body's centre of power, so the stronger your abs are, the easier your daily activities will be.


Use the Zumba shuffle to tone your abs:

1.      Begin with your feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent, and your arms ready to move

2.      During this move your feet stay fairly planted on the floor. You merely pivot on the balls of your feet as you turn from side to side

3.      Angle one forearm up, and angle the other forearm down, moving them in opposite directions

Think about your core and allow it to twist while doing this step. The more you think about what muscles are being worked during the movement, the harder they will work! The more you twist, or pivot with this step the more action your core gets. Everything we do in Zumba Fitness is designed to tone and sculpt your body. The Zumba shuffle works your abs and the rest of your body simultaneously.

Merengue march
Merengue march

ARMS


  Merengue March :

1.       Start with your feet together

2.       Bend one knee and straighten the other

3.       Switch the bent knee, and repeat. You will notice your hips moving from side to side

4.       Instead of just shifting weight, lift your feet as you bend and straighten, creating a march step

5.       Keep marching while adding arms. For example; pump your arms as if you were chopping with the sides of your hands to work out your triceps

Try using the Zumba Fitness track 'Quien Baila Quien Goza' so that you can keeping moving at a faster tempo and feel the burn!

Reggaetone bounce
Reggaetone bounce

LEGS


Any continuous dancing will work your legs, but try the Reggaetone bounce to start:

1.       Start with your feet together and your knees slightly bent
2.       Step out with your right foot, together with your left, step again to the right and touch close with the left, now repeat to the left and continue alternating from left to right
3.       Once you have the basic step, add more movement but opening your knees to allow you to pivot on the balls of the feet creating a slight torso twist

When you get comfortable there, bend your knees more and get lower, working those legs.

Salsa
Salsa

BUM


Tone you bottom and feel sexy with the Salsa step:

1.       Start with your feet together

2.       Step out with right foot, then step in place with left, now together with the right foot, change weight, step out with left, in place with right, together with left, and repeat

3.       When you get comfortable with the basic step, instead of stepping, incorporate squats from side to side alternating leading leg. The deeper you get, the more your bum works! (Make sure your knees are not extending past your toes for safety.)

For more information, head to www.zumba.com


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