What is Zumba Gold®?

What is Zumba Gold?

What is Zumba Gold All About?

Zumba Gold is a fabulously fun fitness program based on exciting Latin and international dance styles. It’s similar stylistically and musically to regular Zumba®, but it’s performed at a lower intensity level to be more accessible to certain people. Zumba Gold is intended for active older adults, Zumba beginners, fitness newbies, and other people that may need modified exercises.

Zumba Gold offers cardiovascular, toning, and balance training benefits in a party-like atmosphere. The moves are designed to be easy-to-follow for everyone. You don’t need any dance experience or exercise experience at all to get started. Like regular Zumba, Zumba Gold is exhilarating and effective, offering a full-body workout at a less intense level.

Where Did Zumba Gold Come From?

Highly respected and renowned fitness trainers Josie Gardiner and Joy Prouty teamed up with Zumba founder/creative genius Beto Perez to create Zumba Gold. Josie and Joy specialize in working with seniors, bringing decades of fitness expertise to the table. These fabulous ladies ensure that Zumba Gold is both safe and effective for older adults and younger folks with lower fitness levels. Both Josie and Joy hold multiple training certifications through ACSM, ACE, and AFAA.

Zumba Gold comes straight from regular Zumba, using many of the same rhythms and generating the same bubbly positive energy you’ll find in a normal Zumba class. You’ll encounter the flavorful rhythms of salsa, merengue, cumbia, cha-cha, tango, flamenco, belly dance, rock n’ roll, and more. Each style of music has its own steps that will be broken down in a way that makes the dances easy-to-follow, so everyone can have success with Zumba Gold.

What are the Physical Health Benefits of Zumba Gold?

Zumba Gold is excellent exercise for active older adults in particular, contributing to healthy aging. Zumba Gold offers many of the benefits of regular Zumba, and then some. Zumba Gold follows guidelines set forth by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to improve the physical health of seniors, emphasizing cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance.

In the words of Joy Prouty, “It’s a lot of cardio and you definitely get the benefit of strengthening the cardiovascular system. Because it’s also a weight-bearing exercise, that helps with the bones. Also, because we keep people moving, it helps preserve, restore, or improve range of motion. That, in turn, can help with peoples’ posture. Good posture not only helps you look better but can help make everyday activities easier to do.”

Additionally, Zumba Gold adds a much-needed element of balance training missing from regular Zumba and absent from the lives of many older adults. Balance training helps develop and restore coordination of the neuromuscular system, preventing injuries from falls all-too-common among older adults.

What are the Psychological Health Benefits of Zumba Gold?

Zumba Gold is empowering, helping you take charge of your own health and fitness in a whole new way. Zumba Gold is a “feel happy” workout that offers many mental and emotional health benefits.

Doing Zumba Gold regularly increases self-esteem and general well being, as well as enhancing quality of life and promoting more ease in performing daily activities. Participants feel more relaxed throughout the day and often report a reduction in depression, stress, and anxiety.

Zumba Gold classes are a perfect place to meet new friends and have fun with like-minded people who also prioritize health, fitness, and fun. Exercising with others is also a great way to stay motivated to stick with your fitness program.

Zumba Gold Safety Guidelines

There are a few safety guidelines to keep in mind when doing Zumba Gold. Zumba instructors have been trained to keep your safety in mind, and many have their CPR/AED certifications, but their training is not extensive. You should always advocate for yourself and monitor your own body.

• Consult your doctor before beginning Zumba Gold or any other fitness program.
• If you have joint issues or have had surgery such as a hip replacement, check with your doctor to make sure you are ready to begin exercising.
• Tell your instructor about any recent injuries or medical issues.
• Drink water before, during, and after your work out.
• Wear supportive footwear, such as running shoes or dance sneakers.
• Breathe normally, never holding your breath.
• Do the moves at your own pace and take a break when you need to.
• Focus on your posture, keeping your shoulders back and down and your back upright.
• Engage your core muscles by keeping your abdominals pulled in and up and your glutes active.

Final Thoughts

Try Zumba Gold to add a zesty new flavor to your workout! Remember that even if you are an absolute beginner, Zumba is all about having fun and no one is there to pass judgment. You don’t have to do all the moves perfectly; just move at your own pace, listen to your body, and feel the music!

You can search for Zumba Gold classes near you at http://www.zumba.com/en-US/parties/search/. Be sure to select “Zumba Gold” from the class type drop-down menu.

I wish you all the best in your quest for health and fitness!

See Also:

• Zumba Fitness Workout Guide for Beginners
• Benefits of Zumba Fitness Workouts
• Balance Exercises for Seniors

About Mae Barraclough

Mae Barraclough, B.S., NASM-CPT, NASM-CES is a certified personal trainer, corrective exercise specialist, and licensed Zumba Instructor. With her passion for health, fitness, and dance, Mae loves learning all she can and sharing her knowledge with others.