I normally recommend an athletic shoe with low tread. I’ve had people come into my classes with dance shoes or regular street shoes with a low tread, but it doesn’t properly support their arch or help when doing any movements with high impact.

Here are a few specific brands you may also try that were recommended by Zumba Instructors and/or students. I’ve researched the descriptions and reviews.

Bloch Lightening Multicolor
Full-sole Bloch Lightening (Multicolor) is designed primarily for dance fitness. Features include breathable mesh upper with synthetic overlays which add structure and support yet still stay light on your feet. Toe area is reinforced and multi-layered mid sole provides bounce and shock absorption for jumps and landings. Complete with spin spot for spinning and sliding.

Nike Musique IV
Choice of lightweight mesh and synthetic leather or all synthetic uppers. Shoes have synthetic overlays for additional support with double-lasted heel and forefoot. Breathable mesh lining and cushioned foot bed plus lace-up front with a mesh-lined tongue. Phylon mid sole and enhanced radiused edges for lateral transition; medial forefoot pivot point with non-marking rubber out sole for traction.

Ryka Studio D
Ryka Studio D offers its perfect combination of cushioning and sophisticated design. Choose from all-leather or breathable mesh. This dance fitness sneaker offers unbeatable support and comfort; synthetic overlays add support. Features include padded collar and tongue, breathable mesh lining with a removable insert, internal mid sole for custom fit and feel. Forefoot and heel have Nitracel cushioning for superior comfort and arch to heel TPU shank. Durable rubber out sole with pivot point (spin spot).

Bloch Boost DRT Mesh Sneakers
The popular Boost is built on a dancer’s high arch last for built-in arch support elevation and remains one of the most popular shoes for Zumba. Sneakers are made of super lightweight materials including the lightweight mid sole that provides maximum cushioning and feature a variable lacing system for optimum arch fit, density out soles for enhanced flexibility and correct amount of slide, and pivot point that allows 360 degree movement. These popular dance fitness sneakers have cushioned heels for maximum shock absorption comfort. The uppers are a combination of synthetic mesh and suede along with the ever-popular split-sole.

Capezio Dancesneakers
Dancesneakers are almost always chosen as one of the best shoes for ZUMBA. The Dancesneaker features a soft, flexible canvas upper and terry cloth lining with padded tongue and collar. Shoes are built on a women’s last and feature a comfortable textile lining with cushioned foot bed and gilly lacing system that adjusts for best fit. Capezio Dancesneakers also have the desired split rubber out sole plus spin-spot and flat box toe for excellent grip.

Another option are Slip On Dancers. Slip-On Dancers® give you the power of adjustable traction and fix the problem of sticky shoes! They fit on regular shoes in seconds and allow your hips to move more freely.

1. Be Punctual
   • Arriving 5 – 10 minutes early allows you time to set up any necessary equipment, meet the instructor to ask questions and inform them of any limitations you may have so they can suggest alternate exercises. Being present for the warm up reduces possible injury and speeds up recovery time.
2. Listen and Focus
   • The instructor gives important information on how to perform each exercise safely and effectively.  Paying attention helps to reduce injury and maximize the effectiveness of the activity.
   • Mind focus: particularly during really challenging exercises, remember the reason why you are doing this and change your “self talk”. Tell yourself things like, “I can do this”, “I’m strong”, “I’m a finisher”, etc.
3. Avoid Distracting Activities And Electronic Devices
   • Excessive talking: having conversations in a group environment is distracting to yourself and others.  It is disrespectful to both the instructor and fellow participants. In environments where no microphone is present, an instructor will have to yell over the voice of those who are talking in addition to background music which can ruin their larynx and cause permanent vocal damage.  For fellow participants, not everyone wants to hear someone else’s conversation and may miss key details and fitness tips given.
   • Electronic Devices:  Turn cell phones, pagers, PDAs (i.e. iPhone, Blackberry) to silent mode and they should not be used in the studio. If you have an urgent matter to handle, please excuse yourself from the room and use your device outside.
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Kick It Up A Notch
   • In order to improve our wellness state, we need to stimulate our bodies differently.  Have you been using the same weights for the past 10 years? It’s time to add more resistance to your load.  Still doing push-ups on your knees?  Get on your feet!  However, never compromise form for the next level. Perfect the basic level first, then kick it up a notch!
5. Stay Hydrated
   • Don’t wait for the instructor to say water break to take one. If you wait until you’re thirsty, you are already dehydrated. So sip often throughout the class.
6. Stay For The Entire Class
   • The cool down is just as important as the warm up.  It brings your heart rate down to normalcy and ensures that your muscles are prepared for recovery and growth.  For those who are looking to gain muscle, stretching is especially important to help lengthen the muscle fibres to stimulate growth during sleep (which is when your muscles grow and strengthen)
7. Try Your Best
   • Remember it’s about YOUR wellness, not the person next to you.  Never quit, modify if you need to, but don’t give up!
8. Offer Feedback
   • Instructors want to hear from you! Both positive and constructive.  If you enjoyed something, say so! That will help them design the program to better suit the class. If you didn’t like something, explain why. Just saying you didn’t like something doesn’t help in program design.  If something caused you joint discomfort or pain, let the instructor know so they can offer alternate options.
9. Be Consistent – COME BACK!
   • To see the benefits of any program, you need to do it regularly. So be patient and keep attending the class.  At first it may seem discouraging if it’s your first time, but you’ll get better at it and soon you’ll be doing hand stand push ups before you know it!
10. Have Fun And Remember This Is “You Time”!
    • Fitness should be fun. Laugh, cry, encourage your fellow participants and be encouraged by them.  A fitness class is much like life. We struggle, but we triumph! Celebrate your accomplishment!

After reading the book, The Complete Master Cleanse by Tom Woloshyn, I embarked upon this journey. Days 1 – 3 were brutal, but I was determined. I saw things coming out of my body that you wouldn’t believe. I know – TMI. Although, most would assume I would have low energy and major food cramps due to the absence of food, the opposite was true. I stuck to the book guidelines strictly and had a minimum of 6 glasses of the lemonade mixture daily. Even with my very active role as a Fitness Professional, I still was able to teach 2 – 5 fitness classes daily while on the cleanse. Days 4 – 6, I felt more in control and less tempted. I could handle the smell of food or people eating around me, which felt great that I felt in control of my body, rather than a slave to food. By Day 10, although I was much looking forward to eating again, it wasn’t because I felt starved, but rather I just missed some of my favourite foods and spices for the mere smell, taste and texture of them. If for medical reasons, I needed to continue, I felt as though my body could have handled a longer cleanse, but it wasn’t necessary in my case.

Although weight loss was not my primary reason for doing this, I couldn’t believe how quickly I was shedding pounds and how defined my body became. Mind you, it would be safe to assume much of the first few pounds was water. However considering the fact that I started as an active healthy person at 165lbs and dropped to 150lbs by the end of the cleanse, I realized that was not just water loss. I noticed improvement in my skin, bowel movements, digestive system and more clarity of mind even days after the cleanse.

Naturally, once I resumed eating, a portion of the weight came back on due to increased calorie consumption, but surprisingly most stayed off. Therefore, leading me to conclude that much of my loss was toxins that needed to be released.

Would I recommend this cleanse? Absolutely! Not as a weight loss method, but a way to cleanse and recharge the body. I think its important that we do a cleanse at least once per year. My personal goal is to do this cleanse twice a year as I felt such great benefits.

If you have any questions on this, please do not hesitate to leave a reply or contact me at info@dionemason.com.