KOLD News 13Zumba Fitness Craze Catches On In Tucson

Zumba Fitness Craze Catches On In Tucson

By, KOLD News 13 This Morning Anchor/Reporter, Jenny Anchondo

If logging hours mindlessly on the treadmill doesn't exactly motivate you to keep with that New Year's resolution, maybe you need to try dancing.

On the south side of Tucson, a group of people have taken up Zumba, which combines Latin dance and fitness.

After enduring marathons, triathlons and military boot camp, Vanessa Lupercio was looking for a fitness routine that incorporated her heritage.

She found Zumba, a fusion of Latin and international music and dance moves.

"It totally transformed my soul, my spirit, my heart," Lupercio said.

Not to mention, her body!

"I lost 23 pounds in 6 weeks and I thought I was in good shape," Lupercio said.

She got a 6 pack, became a Zumba educator and trained the instructors at the Viva Hispanic Performing Arts Center in South Tucson.

"You're having so much fun dancing, you don't even know you're exercising, before you know it, you're just drenched with sweat," said Lisa Urrea-Rivera, a dance and Zumba instructor.

Owner, Julie Gallego added Zumba to the schedule so parents could practice the same moves their kids do in classes like flamenco, salsa, meringue and ballet folklorico.

"I think for the south side of town, too, we really don't have that many fitness and exercise classes on this side of town, so I hope that it just takes off," Gallego said.

Of course, your results will depend on nutrition, how hard, and how often you workout, Lupercio said.  

"All that mattered to me is that I felt really good in my soul, I felt fulfilled, but when I looked at myself I was just, I was blown away," Lupercio said.

For information about the classes at Viva Hispanic Performing Arts Center and other locations, click on the attached links. 

Also, visit the "New This Morning" blog link to let me know what you think of this story!