Summer may be over but things are definitely hotting up at Virgin Active, the UK’s most innovative and exciting health club brand, thanks to Zumba® – the hotly tipped fitness dance class to arrive from the US. Launching in the brand new Virgin Active Classic Twickenham from Oct 1st, the Columbian born class is sure to get members really moving.

Already the fastest growing fitness based dance craze in the USA, Zumba® is an aerobic work-out which combines steps from Latin dance. Fusing Merengue, Salsa, Mambo, Samba, Bacheta, Reggaeton, Cumbia and hip hop moves with an infectious Latin soundtrack and some keep-fit steps, it’s guaranteed to get temperatures rising...

All Zumba® routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms, and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt the body while burning fat at the same time.

Says Carl McCartney, National Group Exercise Manager for Virgin Active,
"We are thrilled to be launching Zumba® in our clubs. The classes are great fun in that members will be taught easy-to-learn steps in a great environment. The routines are designed not only to get the heart rate up, but to ensure an all over workout that members can really enjoy. Members will leave the class feel energised, uplifted and certainly in time, fitter and more toned".

Zumba® is the brainchild of South American celebrity fitness trainer "Beto" Perez. He developed the revolutionary concept in 1999, when he was challenged to teach an aerobics class to non-traditional aerobics music. He taught a routine to a fusion of Latin sounds and Zumba® was born.

Zumba will launch in Virgin Active Classic Twickenham, and will roll out nationally in January 2010.