It’s the dancercise craze that began in the 90s when aerobics instructor forgot his tape and was forced to improvise using his personal collection.

Now, Zumba is practised worldwide and is renowned for its calorie-burning potential, you could burn up to 500 to 1000 calories in one session alone, and the fun and laid-back style of the classes.

Now two dance professionals, Strictly Come Dancing’s Matt Cutler and dance teacher and Latin American dance expert Enrico Stey, are bringing Zumba to Banstead from October 10.

The pair met at competitions and danced at the same London studio, but it wasn’t until later that they discovered their shared passion for Zumba.

"I actually got into Zumba because of my mum," admits Stey, "I needed something keep me fit after I stopped competing professionally and she introduced me to Zumba. I loved it from day one."

It was Stey who then introduced the work-out to Cutler who, as a professional dancer and a gym-phobe, took to the work out like a duck to water.

"I have never been a person who liked going to the gym, I used to go sometimes but I never really got into it and it didn't work for me at all. Zumba seemed a fun easy way to workout. I tried Zumba a few times and haven't stopped since."

Zumba is a latin-based dance exercise class that combines international styles of dance, such as the cha cha, jive and salsa, with the faced paced-music to create an intense cardio workout.

Focused on fun, the class is perfect for anyone looking to shed a few pounds, even if you don’t have the dance expertise of Cutler and Stey.

"You don't have to be a dancer," says Stey, "All the routines are very easy to follow with no high kicks or anything like that. The steps are very repetitive."

And don’t worry about the embarrassment of slipping up on the choreography. " There is no wrong in Zumba," Cutler insists, "as long as everyone is moving and having fun whilst burning calories, anything is allowed."

And it’s not just within the classes where you can exhibit your newly-learnt Zumba moves.

"Many of the Zumba songs are songs that you hear on the radio," Cutler explains. "If you are out at a club and a Zumba song comes on, it’s very difficult not to burst into the routine. Many of us just can't resist and just go for it anyway."

Matico Zumba classes, Beacon School, Picquets Way, Banstead, every Thursday, 8pm until 9pm. £6 with 50% discount for first class. www.maticozumba.co.uk

 



MORE LEISURE STORIES »