What is the Difference Between Zumba and Aerobics

The main difference between Zumba and aerobics is that Zumba refers to a mode of workout that incorporates aerobics with Latin dance movements, whereas aerobics is basically a planned workout on every part of your body individually.

In brief, Zumba is a favorable choice for dancing lovers, whereas aerobics addresses your needs regarding building up muscles and muscle training. Both Zumba and aerobics are effective workouts that help you to shed a lot of calories (600-800 calories per hour).

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Zumba 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Aerobics
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Zumba and Aerobics
     – Outline of Association
4. Difference Between Zumba and Aerobics
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Aerobics, Zumba

What is Zumba

Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance workout. Zumba is a quite popular group exercise class especially among the middle-aged. However, if you think that you cannot follow a Zumba class because you are not a great dancer, your idea is wrong. Zumba classes focus more on moving to music, allowing you to have a good time rather than emphasizing maintaining the rhythm.

There are different kinds of Zumba classes varying from Aqua Zumba workouts to Zumba Toning, where you can do weight training for extra calorie burning and strengthening your muscles. Most significantly, children’s Zumba classes have become a popular trend these days as they guide children towards exercising through entertainment.

Working out in the Zumba class for about 1 hour allows you to shed about 369 calories, which is more than the amount of calories you would burn engaged in step aerobics. In brief, following Zumba workouts allows you to receive an excellent cardio workout, shed your non-essential body fat, improve your body flexibility and strengthen your muscles and core.

What is Aerobics

Aerobics refers to any cardiovascular exercise conditioning such as aerobics classes, dancing, brisk walking, running, cycling, swimming, cardio machines, spinning, kickboxing, hiking or cross country skiing, etc. As the term “aerobic” itself suggests, aerobic exercises usually deal “with oxygen.” Therefore when you are engaged in an aerobic exercise, your heart rate and breathing naturally rise up, allowing you to maintain the healthiness and the fitness of your lungs, heart and circulatory system.

Unlike anaerobic exercises such as weightlifting or sprinting, which are performed at maximum effort for a short time, you perform aerobic exercises for a sustained period of time. However, aerobic exercises can turn into anaerobic exercises if they are performed at a level of high intensity. In brief, the nature of an aerobic exercise plan should be usually practical, realistic and simple. The exercising equipment such as cardio machines can be used in performing aerobics, but the machinery is not essential to perform a successful aerobic workout.

Similarities Between Zumba and Aerobics

1. Zumba is also an aerobic activity that is recommended for most healthy adults.
2. Both Zumba and aerobics involve health benefits: burning calories, improving flexibility and cardiac health.

Difference Between Zumba and Aerobics

Definition

Zumba refers to a mode of workout which involves aerobics with Latin dance movements which ultimately leads to strength exercises. Aerobics is basically a planned workout on every part of your body individually, ultimately giving you extra strength and muscles.

Health Benefits

Zumba workouts let you get an excellent cardio workout, burn the non-essential body fat, improve your body flexibility and strengthen your muscles and core while aerobic exercises improve your heart rate and breathing naturally, ensuring healthiness and fitness of your lungs, heart and circulatory system.

Conclusion

In brief, the main difference between Zumba and aerobics is that Zumba is a mode of aerobic workout which involves Latin dance movements, while aerobics is basically a  planned workout on every part of your body individually. However, both Zumba and aerobics may have lots of benefits on your cardio, circulatory and pulmonary health.

Reference:

1. Chertoff, Jane. “Aerobic Exercise Examples: At Home, at the Gym, Benefits, and Mor.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 29 May 2020.
2. “7 Health Benefits of Zumba.” Piedmont Healthcare.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Group of Women Doing Exercise Inside The Building” By Andrea Piacquadio (CC0) via Pexels
2. “Women Having Exercise Using Dumbbells” By Andrea Piacquadio (CC0) via Pexels