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What are the Benefits of Zumba® for Kids?

Tess C. Taylor
Tess C. Taylor

In addition to being a fun and healthy exercise option for adults, there are many benefits of Zumba® for kids. These include teaching children to lead active lives, combating childhood obesity, teaching body coordination, helping youngsters to develop healthy friendships with other kids, and encouraging kids to explore the world of dance and fitness. Zumba® also allows parents and kids to share fun together.

Zumba® is a fusion of Latin dance with aerobic exercise. Kids can enjoy the different motions that Zumba® instructors lead them through and generally learn the routines fairly quickly. Kids usually love to dance and move their bodies in different ways, as they have a great deal of energy and like to express their personalities. Zumba® for kids encourages children to incorporate exercise into their daily life and this promotes strong bodies and weight management.

Zumba for kids may help combat childhood obesity.
Zumba for kids may help combat childhood obesity.

In addition to the healthful benefits of Zumba®, a dance workout can promote better body coordination. Kids often go through awkward stages when they are self-conscious about the natural changes in their bodies. Zumba® encourages kids to move around in controlled motions like leg kicks, arm reaches, and hip sways. This activity gives children more coordination and lets them be confident with their bodies.

Perhaps one of the key benefits of Zumba® for kids is the opportunity to be around other kids in similar age groups and with similar interests to make new friends. A dance and fitness center that provides Zumba® programs for kids can be a great place to develop healthy friendships. Children have to work together to learn the routines, which develops life-long values such as teamwork and respect for others.

Zumba® is a fun way for families to spend quality time together. Children learn to appreciate different types of music and culture through the dance moves that Zumba® provides. By combining music with dance and exercise, children’s minds grow and they become aware of a bigger beautiful world for all.

Many health clubs and fitness centers offer Zumba® for kids so they can enjoy this activity while their parents work out in adjoining rooms. In addition, school exercise programs are adding Zumba® to their regular curriculum to help kids experience this fun form of fitness. Instructors who are skilled at working with kids generally teach these classes to make sure they are safe for kids at all levels.

Discussion Comments

honeybees

@Mykol - I am glad you have found the Zumba songs and workout helpful for you. My kids absolutely love this program.

They started taking part in this at the local gym where I workout. They enjoyed it so much, that we now have some Zumba videos for them to use at home too.

With so many kids today not being as active as we were when growing up, I think programs like Zumba are a big help. It gets them off the couch or away from the computer where they can be active and burn off some energy.

I don't have to coax my kids to get involved with Zumba. They really enjoy it and seem to like it best when they are participating with a bunch of other kids at the same time.

Mykol

My favorite part of the Zumba fitness program is the dance workout. I wish I had something like this when I was growing up.

Dancing was something I enjoyed watching other people do, but always felt too self conscious and uncomfortable to dance in front of others.

If I had the chance to take part in a Zumba music program as a kid, I think I would have felt a lot more comfortable about dancing and working out around other people.

When every one around you is doing the same thing, it is not so intimidating. You are also learning different ways to express yourself, and that plays a big part in enjoying the freedom of dance.

If I had kids, a program like Zumba would be something I would have them participate in starting at a young age.

myharley

When I put my Zumba DVD on, my two daughters love to follow along with me. Many times, they catch on to the moves faster than I do.

I initially bought this Zumba workout for myself. It has become a time that all three of us look forward to.

By now we have a lot of the songs and steps memorized, so we don't have to concentrate so hard on what we are doing.

This is a great way for me to stay active and in shape, and for my girls to understand the importance of staying fit.

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    • Zumba for kids may help combat childhood obesity.
      By: olegmalyshev
      Zumba for kids may help combat childhood obesity.