Community Corner
Zumba into Shape in New Hyde Park
Several spots in New Hyde Park are satisfying the growing demand for the popular Latin dance-fitness class.
Why workout when you can party the pounds away? As the New Year has recently started with yet another round of weight loss resolutions, many are choosing to get in shape with the exciting, hip-shaking, dance fitness revolution that is Zumba.
Creating a party-like atmosphere, Zumba joins Latin rhythms including salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggaeton with easy-to-learn energizing moves that have participants burning up the dance floor as well as the calories. The fun combination is one that most find difficult to resist and equally hard to quit.
Since its creation in 2001, the one-of-a-kind Latin-inspired exercise has evolved into an all-out craze. In addition to a popular line of DVDs, apparel and video games, over 10 million people (and counting) are lining up to take weekly Zumba classes in the more than 90,000 gyms and dance studios that are offering it worldwide. A few of those locations can be found right here in New Hyde Park.
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was the first place to offer Zumba in the area, said Zumba instructor Katherine Farfan-Selim. While it has been available since 2004, she says the classes began to show a real pick up in popularity over the past three years.
“Dancing is more mainstream now,” said Farfan-Selim, who credits shows like Dancing with the Stars and cable dance fitness programs with some of Zumba’s appeal. Of course, the ever-changing selection of upbeat, international songs also help to bring in the crowds. She adds, “The music attracts people… that is what people like.”
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Farfan-Selim explained that unlike some of the other types of classes that she teaches at Starlight, where customers may only visit once, Zumba keeps them coming back.
The often described “addiction” or obsession that many claim to have for the booty-shaking regimen has its benefits.
“With regular Zumba, you can burn up to 500 calories in 50 minutes,” said Farfan-Selim, proving that it is as effective as it is a good time.
, which has been offering Zumba for a little over a year, started classes due to the popular demand of its women members. Instructor Michele Pome says that after holding one trial class, a petition was put together and passed and the word continued to spread from there.
These days the gym has Zumba twice a week, drawing crowds of varying ages, genders, shapes, and sizes, classes can reach up to about 40 students. “Most people love it,” said Pome.
The everyday non-dancer may be intimidated by the high-energy, quick moving steps at first, but as Pome notes, “the Zumba formula makes it easy for anyone to do.”
Compared to other workouts like kickboxing and aerobics, Zumba is not monotonous. “It’s always changing,” said Pome, who explains that while the steps remain the same, they become fresh when put to new music.
For many, Zumba is a seamless way to boost confidence and get in shape. At Starlight Ballroom, Farfan-Selim has found getting to know students, watching their weight loss and seeing them achieve personal goals to be very rewarding. She explains, “This is one of the best jobs I have because I see the overall change for many of my students… [Zumba] has an emotional factor that many other exercise programs don’t.”
On the other hand, some try Zumba simply to join the party. As Farfan-Selim put it, “Some people just want to have fun…they just want to smile. If [I] can give them that every time that’s enough.”
There are currently six different kinds of Zumba classes, according to the official Zumba website. Many places offer several options from the following:
- Zumba: The original fitness party with high-energy interval training sessions with dance routines that are set to fast and slow exotic rhythms with Latin and international beats. Resistance training tones and sculpts your body while burning fat. The class is 50 minutes to an hour.
- Zumba Gold: For people with limited range of motion such as those with very little exercise experience, sport injuries, or older adults. This class maintains the same calorie-burning music and dance elements that Zumba is known for, but is typically a little shorter and has no jumping for a lighter impact workout.
- Zumba Toning: A step up from the original Zumba, designed to tone muscles. In this calorie-burning strength training program, students use lightweight maraca-like “toning sticks” to sculpt target zones like the arms, abs, glutes and thighs.
- Zumbatomic: Designed for kids, ages four through 12. Fun, kid-friendly routines.
- Aqua Zumba: An exhilarating water-based workout focused on cardio-conditioning and body-toning.
- Zumba in the Circuit: Thirty minutes of Latin-inspired dance-fitness moves combined with circuit training. High-energy international-inspired music plays as students move from one exercise station to the next.
Zumba Classes in New Hyde Park:
Starlight Ballroom Dance Studio, 102 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park
Phone: (516) 326-7787
Rates: Drop-in, $20; 4 class card, $60; 10 class card, $85
Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 10:55 a.m., Zumba
6:30 p.m. - 7:25 p.m., Zumbatomic
7:30 p.m. - 8:25 p.m., Zumba
Wednesday: 5:30 p.m. - 6:25 p.m., Zumba Gold
6:30 p.m. - 7:25 p.m., Zumba Toning,
Thursday: 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Zumba Express*
6:30 p.m. - 7:25 p.m., Zumbatomic
Friday: 7:30 p.m. - 8:25 p.m., Zumba Toning
6:30 p.m. - 7: 30 p.m., Zumba
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 10:55 a.m., Zumba
*Half hour Zumba class, offered exclusively at Starlight Ballroom
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 600 New Hyde Park Road, New Hyde Park
Phone: (516) 354-6956
Rates: 10 week session for $100 or $12 per class*
Thursday: 8:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Zumba
*Class is full
Twin Park Fitness, 15 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park
Phone: (516) 326-7867
Rates: Free with membership; $10 per class for non-members
Monday: 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Zumba Toning
Wednesday: 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Zumba
Fitness Revolution, 2111 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park
Phone: (516) 877-0300
Rates: $15 per class, $100 for 10 pack
Monday: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Zumba
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Zumba
Synergy Fitness Club, 190 Broadway, Garden City Park
Phone: (516) 742- 4477
Rates: Free with membership
Tuesday: 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Zumba