How to Create a Zumba Dance

With fast-paced movements, rhythmic beats in the background and a sense of fun through movement, Zumba has become a popular way to get fit. Zumba dancing, created in the 1990s by choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez, brought a new dance style to exercise. Like all aerobic activities, Zumba gets heart rates up as participants engage in constant motion. Creating your own Zumba dance means knowing the basics of the movements and tweaking your own dance to suit your personal style.

Things You'll Need

  • Exercise shoes and comfortable clothing
  • Latin music and music player with speakers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attend a few Zumba classes. Make sure to participate in Zumba classes held by various instructors at various locations. Each instructor performs movements slightly differently, even though the basic movements are the same. Write notes after class to remind you of moves that you did and did not like. Specify any movements or portions of the dance that felt awkward or too challenging.

    • 2

      Videotape a Zumba class or watch a video about Zumba. Take notes regarding moves used throughout the routines. Highlight your notes to illustrate which moves you prefer.

    • 3

      Take a Zumba-specific course, such as those offered by The American Council on Exercise. Classes are offered at locations throughout the country, including community colleges and fitness centers. Learn the different techniques associated with Zumba, and find out about the styles the dance routines are based around, which include the Tango, Flamenco and Samba.

    • 4

      Write out the parts to your Zumba dance. Add notes about length of time spent on each section of the dance. For example, list "Step 1" as the warmup, which involves five to ten minutes of stretching and fluid movements. List "Step 2" as Zumba dance moves drawn from Samba dancing inspiration and note that this form will be done for 10 minutes.

    • 5

      Add slower portions throughout the routine to give participants a chance to catch their breath before moving on to the next fast-paced portion. Continue adding parts to your dance and add all time estimates up. The total length of the Zumba dance should be between 45 and 60 minutes.

    • 6

      Choose music for your dance. Since Zumba is rooted in Latin culture, use music with Latin beats and select uptempo and fast-paced music to keep the dance moving along. Choose music that has a slower pace to use during the slower portions of the routine. Combine the music to create one long program that lasts throughout the entire routine.

    • 7

      Practice your dance in front of a mirror by yourself first. After you have gotten the moves down and are comfortable with how the routine flows, videotape yourself performing the routine. Review the tape to check for awkward pauses or sections of the dance that do not flow smoothly together. Tweak the dance as necessary.

    • 8

      Show the routine to other people and have them follow along to see if the Zumba dance can be taught easily. Continue changing portions of the dance as you find other movements and positions that flow naturally with the overall exercise.