Combining aerobics and Latin dance, Zumba has many moving to the beat. The YMCA, an organization known for promoting health and positive activities among youth and families, is attempting to be recognized for a Guinness Book of World Records for the largest Zumba gathering to date, in a New Year's day "Zumbathon"
Shalen Scheltgen, YMCA North Branch, Group Exercise Coordinator, said "It's cardio-based, so you get lots of heart-pumping, fat burning action."
Zumba came from Colombia in then Mid 1990s but has only recently really sparked a ton of interest globally.
Over 10 million people participate in Zumba, in more than 90,000 classes and locations in more than 110 countries.
Tama Fairleigh, Zumba participant, said "It's so much fun, that 45 minutes to an hour goes by, and you don't even realize it, and you're just sweating, and it's the most fun I've had in years."
Each class at the YMCA has about 100 participants, so in order to make the new year a little more exciting, they decided to try and assemble 1,111 people to dance their way into a new world record.
Scheltgen said "We always go together on New Year's Day, and try to come up with a big event to kind of kick off the year in a good way, like people trying to change their life in a good way, looking for something fun, and social activities that are also healthy."
So far, the largest Zumba class on record was held in the U.K. and had approximately 836 people, although this is not yet confirmed.
One class attendee, Rashell Lozada, says "It gets packed on a regular night. When it's a huge event, I think it could definitely happen."
Scheltgen said "Being able to share that with the rest of the city, and the rest of the world, would be an awesome opportunity."
If you would like more information on the New Year's Day Zumbathon, click this link: http://www.wichitaymca.org/index.php?_p_=672
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