Zumba brings out my inner diva. My buttocks slapping, hips gyrating, sassy-mouthed inner diva.
Ladies, — and the one gentleman in my class who does Zumba to pick up women — why does Zumba have such a loyal following? And even more baffling, how does Zumba get people who have been scarred by high school dance tortures to willingly shake their spandex covered thighs in a blindingly lit room with a giant window?
Call it Zumbaism: the gym religion that seemingly erases everyone’s fear of the dance floor, embraces all shapes and sizes and encourages wild yelping, clapping and public displays of latin-ness.
It’s Zumbaism at work.
Somehow, Zumbaism makes me feel like a thugged-out gangsta during the rap songs, a spicy Latin diva during the Spanish tunes and a Christina Aguilera impersonator during the female sung warm-up ballads.
I did not truly appreciate the extent of my conversion to Zumbaism until I (embarrassingly) heard a song from class at a bar and without realizing it, began the classic Zumba steps.
I clearly frightened the man next to me when he asked if I was alright and then upon confirmation that I was, in fact, alright, he ventured, “Wow, I guess you must really like this song.”
Attempting to cover up my mortification at doing Zumba moves in a bar, I said, “Yes, sir” to the annoying-not-that-good-looking-stupid-hipster, “I do really like that song.”
At first I cursed the Zumba Gods — why, oh why did they take over my brain and make me do the shimmy forward, shimmy backwards, side step side step move in public? But then I realized, that is the magic of Zumbaism. It’s supposed to become second nature. It’s supposed to feel like a party and make you forget that you’re dancing next to someone your Grandmother’s age at 10 a.m. on a weekday and your parking is almost up.
The psychology of Zumba is a heady cocktail of social proof, exercise-induced endorphins and self-induced blindness. Let me elaborate.
Zumba is a giant whopping dose of social proof — everyone else is ‘dropping it like it’s hot’ and they don’t look embarrassed, so why should you?
Its high-paced salsa-inspired moves and grapevine-esque shuffles get your blood pumping, your sweat pouring and your feel-good endorphins pulsing.
Lastly, the smorgasbord of people who show up to class challenge our sense of normalcy, so we just pretend it’s normal. There aren’t many situations where ladies from the retirement community, 20-something professionals, pregnant ladies and college students gather together to sweat.
Let’s be honest: Zumba is premium for people-watching. In fact, I could tell you six Zumba archetypes that are in every Zumba class across the country:
- Suck-Up Zumbaer: This is the snooty, wannabe professional dancer who shows up to class super early, is dressed for a music video and tries to out-do the teacher with all of her moves. Calm down, lady, everyone knows you’re better than us. But jeez, this is Zumba not Justin Bieber’s next YouTube video.
- This-Is-A-Work-Out Zumbaer: This is the girl who comes to class “just for the workout” in matching spandex, arm weights, ankle weights and makes sure everyone around her knows that she needs lots of space for her kicks. She also annoyingly jogs in place in between songs to ‘keep her heart rate up.’ Really, are you going to burn that many extra calories by doing that?
- Is-This-African-Dance Zumbaer: This lady comes to class in bare feet, a weird toga and dances to her own drum. Literally, she sometimes brings her own drum. You hate to be next to her because she only follows the ‘essence’ of the Zumba steps while ‘internalizing’ the sound of the music. It’s really frickin’ distracting.
- What-Was-That-Step Zumbaer: This is the non-dancer newbie who comes to class and is permanently behind. She tries her best, bless her heart, but no matter how much you try to answer her pleas, she inevitably chooses the wrong direction to shimmy and claps a beat behind everyone else. You make yourself feel better by telling yourself that you were never as bad as her.
- The Zumba Man: You know, that guy. He stands in the back and looks at everyone’s butts? I wonder if his wife knows.
- The Zumba You: Of course, you are none of these ridiculous archetypes. You are a pretty good dancer, polite with floor space and always bring your own towel. Wink, wink, I won’t tell anyone that every archetype thinks they’re this one.
So, my fellow Zumbaers, I hope you never find yourself doing moves in a bar, nor next to a What-Was-That-Zumbaer during class. But if you do, curse the Zumba gods, dance a little harder and pretend it’s not happening.
This article is so true and gave a good laugh ant the end. After whatever hobby/activity, things become second nature and your start doing thing without have to think too hard. You just do it.
This article is so true and gave a good laugh ant the end. After whatever hobby/activity, things become second nature and your start doing thing without have to think too hard. You just do it.
This article is so true and gave a good laugh ant the end. After whatever hobby/activity, things become second nature and your start doing thing without have to think too hard. You just do it.
This article is so true and gave a good laugh ant the end. After whatever hobby/activity, things become second nature and your start doing thing without have to think too hard. You just do it.
Haha this was too true! At my school the zumba classes are the first ones to close up and now that I know these general stereotypes I will be able to laugh even more when I see the people that fit them. I know I personally am the guy who is one step behind everyone haha
Haha this was too true! At my school the zumba classes are the first ones to close up and now that I know these general stereotypes I will be able to laugh even more when I see the people that fit them. I know I personally am the guy who is one step behind everyone haha
Haha this was too true! At my school the zumba classes are the first ones to close up and now that I know these general stereotypes I will be able to laugh even more when I see the people that fit them. I know I personally am the guy who is one step behind everyone haha
Haha this was too true! At my school the zumba classes are the first ones to close up and now that I know these general stereotypes I will be able to laugh even more when I see the people that fit them. I know I personally am the guy who is one step behind everyone haha
lol “Zumbaism makes me feel like a thugged-out gangsta during the rap songs.” Fun and funny article. I feel like I’m too shy to try out Zumba, but this article could serve to calm me down if I ever decide to give it a try.
lol “Zumbaism makes me feel like a thugged-out gangsta during the rap songs.” Fun and funny article. I feel like I’m too shy to try out Zumba, but this article could serve to calm me down if I ever decide to give it a try.
lol “Zumbaism makes me feel like a thugged-out gangsta during the rap songs.” Fun and funny article. I feel like I’m too shy to try out Zumba, but this article could serve to calm me down if I ever decide to give it a try.
lol “Zumbaism makes me feel like a thugged-out gangsta during the rap songs.” Fun and funny article. I feel like I’m too shy to try out Zumba, but this article could serve to calm me down if I ever decide to give it a try.
Hahaha! I bet my sister is a zumba You!
Hahaha! I bet my sister is a zumba You!
Hahaha! I bet my sister is a zumba You!
Hahaha! I bet my sister is a zumba You!
I love that “zumbaism” makes you so carefree and goofy !! I’ve always been meaning to try it, but I’ve never been much of a dancer until recently. I go line-dancing with my friends and I never went before because I was embarrassed of my dancing skills – but once I actually went and tried out the movies, I realized no one there is judging you if you’re breaking out the wrong dance moves, or even if you’re a terrible dancer, everyone is just there to have fun ! Now I feel the same about Zumba – no one is there to judge you, everyone is there to dance their booty off, have fun, and feel great about themselves. When I get the time, I’m definitely going to check out the classes we have at my university and see if I catch the Zumba bug
I love that “zumbaism” makes you so carefree and goofy !! I’ve always been meaning to try it, but I’ve never been much of a dancer until recently. I go line-dancing with my friends and I never went before because I was embarrassed of my dancing skills – but once I actually went and tried out the movies, I realized no one there is judging you if you’re breaking out the wrong dance moves, or even if you’re a terrible dancer, everyone is just there to have fun ! Now I feel the same about Zumba – no one is there to judge you, everyone is there to dance their booty off, have fun, and feel great about themselves. When I get the time, I’m definitely going to check out the classes we have at my university and see if I catch the Zumba bug
I love that “zumbaism” makes you so carefree and goofy !! I’ve always been meaning to try it, but I’ve never been much of a dancer until recently. I go line-dancing with my friends and I never went before because I was embarrassed of my dancing skills – but once I actually went and tried out the movies, I realized no one there is judging you if you’re breaking out the wrong dance moves, or even if you’re a terrible dancer, everyone is just there to have fun ! Now I feel the same about Zumba – no one is there to judge you, everyone is there to dance their booty off, have fun, and feel great about themselves. When I get the time, I’m definitely going to check out the classes we have at my university and see if I catch the Zumba bug
I love that “zumbaism” makes you so carefree and goofy !! I’ve always been meaning to try it, but I’ve never been much of a dancer until recently. I go line-dancing with my friends and I never went before because I was embarrassed of my dancing skills – but once I actually went and tried out the movies, I realized no one there is judging you if you’re breaking out the wrong dance moves, or even if you’re a terrible dancer, everyone is just there to have fun ! Now I feel the same about Zumba – no one is there to judge you, everyone is there to dance their booty off, have fun, and feel great about themselves. When I get the time, I’m definitely going to check out the classes we have at my university and see if I catch the Zumba bug
I for some reason keep trying the zumba classes once over year or so and every time, I’m the girl that is a lot more than two steps behind (typically six). But it is definitely fun to people watch outside a zumba class.
I for some reason keep trying the zumba classes once over year or so and every time, I’m the girl that is a lot more than two steps behind (typically six). But it is definitely fun to people watch outside a zumba class.
I for some reason keep trying the zumba classes once over year or so and every time, I’m the girl that is a lot more than two steps behind (typically six). But it is definitely fun to people watch outside a zumba class.
I for some reason keep trying the zumba classes once over year or so and every time, I’m the girl that is a lot more than two steps behind (typically six). But it is definitely fun to people watch outside a zumba class.
Nice and funny article 🙂
Nice and funny article 🙂
Nice and funny article 🙂
Nice and funny article 🙂
I loved reading this article! it had me laughing when reading the archetypes.
I loved reading this article! it had me laughing when reading the archetypes.
I loved reading this article! it had me laughing when reading the archetypes.
I loved reading this article! it had me laughing when reading the archetypes.
I absolutely love Zumba!! I totally live out my I once wanted to be a dancer fantasy in class! I think I’m a cross between wannabe dancer and workout zumbaer haha . Loved this article – also brings out an extroverted nature that I didn’t think I possessed and a little healthy competitiveness ?
I absolutely love Zumba!! I totally live out my I once wanted to be a dancer fantasy in class! I think I’m a cross between wannabe dancer and workout zumbaer haha . Loved this article – also brings out an extroverted nature that I didn’t think I possessed and a little healthy competitiveness ?
I absolutely love Zumba!! I totally live out my I once wanted to be a dancer fantasy in class! I think I’m a cross between wannabe dancer and workout zumbaer haha . Loved this article – also brings out an extroverted nature that I didn’t think I possessed and a little healthy competitiveness ?
I absolutely love Zumba!! I totally live out my I once wanted to be a dancer fantasy in class! I think I’m a cross between wannabe dancer and workout zumbaer haha . Loved this article – also brings out an extroverted nature that I didn’t think I possessed and a little healthy competitiveness ?
Hahaha … I’m the “what was that step” Zumbaer! And that’s why I’ve never taken a class. Fortunately for me people at Contra Dance and swing dance seem more forgiving of my lack of ability to learn steps than this article indicates. ‘) Fortunately I have rhythm and I’m pleasant enough company that I’ve been welcomed at these events for a couple decades. I’ve even been complimented on my dancing. Since I’ve given up gluten and my brain fog cleared I’m better at the precise movements. That said, I love your articals ~ I’m glad I found you and I’m at able to follow you! Rock on!
Hahaha … I’m the “what was that step” Zumbaer! And that’s why I’ve never taken a class. Fortunately for me people at Contra Dance and swing dance seem more forgiving of my lack of ability to learn steps than this article indicates. ‘) Fortunately I have rhythm and I’m pleasant enough company that I’ve been welcomed at these events for a couple decades. I’ve even been complimented on my dancing. Since I’ve given up gluten and my brain fog cleared I’m better at the precise movements. That said, I love your articals ~ I’m glad I found you and I’m at able to follow you! Rock on!
Hahaha … I’m the “what was that step” Zumbaer! And that’s why I’ve never taken a class. Fortunately for me people at Contra Dance and swing dance seem more forgiving of my lack of ability to learn steps than this article indicates. ‘) Fortunately I have rhythm and I’m pleasant enough company that I’ve been welcomed at these events for a couple decades. I’ve even been complimented on my dancing. Since I’ve given up gluten and my brain fog cleared I’m better at the precise movements. That said, I love your articals ~ I’m glad I found you and I’m at able to follow you! Rock on!
Hahaha … I’m the “what was that step” Zumbaer! And that’s why I’ve never taken a class. Fortunately for me people at Contra Dance and swing dance seem more forgiving of my lack of ability to learn steps than this article indicates. ‘) Fortunately I have rhythm and I’m pleasant enough company that I’ve been welcomed at these events for a couple decades. I’ve even been complimented on my dancing. Since I’ve given up gluten and my brain fog cleared I’m better at the precise movements. That said, I love your articals ~ I’m glad I found you and I’m at able to follow you! Rock on!