Zumba

The Zumba is a complete fitness program, combining all the elements of fitness: cardio and muscle preparation, balance and flexibility. The choreographies are mainly inspired by Latin dances (salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton, soca, samba, tango, flamenco ...), but also of various styles such as belly dance or Quebradita. According to the website of Zumba Fitness LLC, more than 15 million people would participate weekly in a Zumba class; these courses would be provided in approximately 200,000 locations in 180 countries.

Zumba was invented by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in the 1990s. He says he invented this concept one day when, having forgotten the music he usually used for his aerobics class, he had to improvise with the music he had on hand, Latin music> . In 2001, Alberto left his native Colombia to settle in Miami and bring the concept of Zumba. One of her students introduces her son, Alberto Perlman, who will become CEO of Zumba, and a childhood friend of the latter, Alberto Aghion, who will become president of the company. Together, they produce a demo tape that will sell the concept to the American company Fitness Quest. The program will be sold by infomercial as early as 2002>.

The partners shared the roles: Alberto Perez is the public face of Zumba, but claims to have nothing of a businessman. Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion deal in particular with the commercial aspects>. In 2005, the Zumba Academy was founded to supervise the training of Zumba instructors.

The Zumba brand has been registered in the United States and other countries by Zumba Fitness, LLC.