I love dancing. Am I good at it? Not so much, but I'm getting better with every Zumba class I take. I take 3 classes a week now and here are some reasons why I fell in love with Zumba:

1. It burns a TON of calories.

Zumba classes are 60 minutes long and you burn an average of 400-600 calories each class!

2. If you love music, it is a perfect workout.

I LOVE music and since I started Zumba, I am always blasting the Spanish radio station in my car.

3. You don't have to be a professional dancer.

I took some dance classes in high school but I am nowhere near being an awesome dancer. I mess up, trip and forget steps all the time during class but as long as you're moving and having fun, you are burning calories!

4. You learn so much about dance around the world.

Zumba is built upon four styles of music: salsa, meringue, rumba, and reggaeton. My instructors also bring in some Bollywood and belly dancing from time to time.

5. Zumba instructors are cool people.

Get to know your instructors! One of my instructors has a full-time job and teaches Zumba six days a week! Zumba helped her with weight loss journey and was the key to overcoming an eating disorder.

6. Dancing is great for people struggling with mental illness.

It is a great way to relieve stress and cope with anxiety. Any workout is great for your mental health and helps your brain refocus as well as distract from any negative thoughts.

7. It's a full body workout.

It combines calorie and fat burning with an aerobic interval workout. You work your legs, arms, abs and it helps with flexibility.

8. It helps with body image.

Zumba really helps you learn to love your body. Dancing your heart out while shaking and shimmying makes you feel confident. After a couple weeks of classes, you will really start to see your muscles become more toned.

9. It is a party.

The music is blasting and you can't stop smiling while dancing like you have never danced before. You make so many great friends and connections with instructors and other Zumba lovers.

10. Enrique Iglesias

This one is self-explanatory.

I hope this encourages you to get out and dance! There are 200,000 locations to try out a Zumba class and it is never too late to pick up dancing!