Aqua Zumba® Explore Splash with Richard Gormley is a 30-minute pool workout that showcases international dance and rhythms. This video is a special collaboration between Poolfit and Zumba® that allows Poolfit subscribers to experience the magic, moves and music of Aqua Zumba®.
Aqua Zumba® debuted at the International Aquatic fitness Conference (IAFC) in 2009. I remember it all too well because I was a staff member and presenter at that conference 16 years ago. Poolfit subscribers have occasionally made content requests for Aqua Zumba®, however the fitness content is copyrighted. Richard is a colleague that I have known for years, and he is a well-known Zumba Education Specialist (ZES). I had asked him if he wanted to come in and film some regular aquatic fitness content. Instead, he reached out to Zumba Fitness, LLC and asked if he could showcase a couple of Aqua Zumba® workouts on both Poolfit and Fitmotivation. The answer was ‘yes’ and we are thrilled to be able to introduce this popular dance fitness format to subscribers.
Aqua Zumba® Explore Workout-at-a-Glance
This 30-minute dance fitness format includes three blocks of movement, and each block includes three songs. The movement is taught to the structure of the music (verse, bridge, chorus, etc.) All music used in this video has been provided by and used with permission from Zumba Fitness, LLC. It can be sourced from All Approved Music/PPC/PPLA Free and is available to members of the Zumba Instructor Network.
Below, the dance/music styles of each song are outlined.
BLOCK ONE
Song #1: Warm-up
Song #2: Cardio
Song #3: Brazilian Funk
BLOCK TWO
Song #4: ChaCha
Song #5: Dembow
Song #6: Cumbia
BLOCK THREE
Song #7: Merengue
Song #8: Flamenco/HipHop
Song #9: Cool down
Below, Richard talks more about the video and then provides some extra insights regarding the flavor of Zumba®.
Aqua Zumba® Explore Splash by Richard Gormley
Aqua Zumba is known as 'the ultimate pool party' and I agree. It is for sure the most fun format on my teaching schedule. Why? It’s fun, it's different and it's a surprisingly challenging workout.
Dance the stress away!
This format is all about moving to the music and the music is awesome. No matter what kind of day I'm having, as soon as I press play, I am transported to a happy place and I become one with the music. And I know my class members are right there with me. The variety of songs and rhythms take us on a journey around the world in every class.
Switch it up!
How many moves did we do in this short class? The answer is A LOT. I love to mix and match dance fitness moves with traditional aquatic fitness exercises to encourage people to use their brains and bodies while they move in the water. Choreography and dance fitness can be intimidating to many. I hear excuses all the time, such as “I've got two left feet,” or “I can't move like you in the water.” However, to everyone's surprise after a few weeks’ time they find themselves getting more familiar with the steps and choreography. Feeling more confident, they hum along to the music and eventually experience that “freeing and electrifying joy” that is experienced in a Zumba® class.
It's really a workout!
When we move in the water, it may not seem as strenuous as other types of exercise, but you can bet you will feel the aftereffects. One of the most satisfying moments of this whole filming process was inviting Daniele (the video student) to hit the beach after filming these videos, but him opting for a nap instead. Aquatic fitness instructors know all the benefits of water exercise, so when well executed, Aqua Zumba certainly checks all those boxes.
In conclusion, I would invite you to switch up your normal water fitness routine and try something different occasionally to make your pool workout a total blast.
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Poolfit extends a big thank you to Richard and to Zumba Fitness, LLC for sharing the fun flavor and fitness of Aqua Zumba®. If you want to know more about Zumba® and exercise opportunities using their app, check out the Zumba website. Stay tuned, Richard will be back in June with the second video of this special collaboration, a 45-minute Aqua Zumba® Pool party.
