Dance Fitness Shoes - Choosing a Shoe For Zumba Class

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a Zumba instructor is regarding the type of shoe to wear. Zumba is a cardio exercise class that combines both dancing and fitness moves. A regular dance shoe will not have the shock absorption for the impact of exercise, and an athletic shoe that is strictly for training may not have the lightness and movement capabilities needed for dancing.

The answer is to get a dance-fitness or dance-aerobic shoe. With the increased popularity in dance-fitness classes such as cardio salsa, hip-hop fitness and Zumba, the shoe manufacturers have come out with a great assortment of aerobic type training shoes geared to the dance-fitness enthusiast. These shoes have multi-directional support and very little tread on the sole. They are lightweight and make it easy to pivot and glide across the floor.

Dance

When choosing the right shoes for your feet, read the reviews or descriptions online. If you have a wide foot, narrow foot, or high arch, for example, there may be a brand of shoe that is better suited for you. Nike and Ryka brands have a popular selection of dance aerobic shoes to choose from.

Dance Fitness Shoes - Choosing a Shoe For Zumba Class

Adding a well-cushioned insert to the shoe will make it much more comfortable. Take out the insert that the shoe comes with and place in one that is designed specifically for cross training or aerobics. Replacing the inserts often will extend the life of the shoe itself.

Athletic shoes should be replaced every 3 to 6 months, depending on how much mileage you put on them. When you feel your knees and legs begin to ache after exercise it could mean that it is time to get a new pair of shoes.

In summary, the best shoe for a dance-fitness class is one that is lightweight, supportive and has little tread on the sole. Find one specifically made for dance-fitness or dance aerobics. When you are wearing the right shoes you will have a better exercise experience, you will stick to your exercising and you will have more fun.

Dance Fitness Shoes - Choosing a Shoe For Zumba Class

Want to see what shoes all the zumba instructors are wearing? Visit the best shoes for zumba for specific styles and brands.

S. McRee is a zumba instructor, yoga instructor and personal trainer whose purpose is to inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle.

watch mobile phone Best Offer Lufkin Cn1295Sme590 13 Milimeter 1 2

Choosing the Best Shoes For Zumba - Athletic Vs Dance

There are two types of shoes that are popular among people who are taking a zumba class: dance-sneakers and dance-aerobic shoes. Here is a description of the functionality of each type of shoe so you can make a decision on which one is the best.

Dance-sneakers are usually recognized by their split soles. There is a supportive sole on the ball of the foot and a sole that supports the heel of the foot. The middle of the shoe has no support and allows the shoe to practically bend in half. This allows great flexibility in the foot for pointing, spinning and standing on pointe. These shoes are usually very lightweight and feel very comfortable on the foot. They may have little or no arch support and some have a pivot point on the ball of the foot for better spinning. Sneakers made for dance are great for ballroom dancers who need to give their feet a break from wearing high heeled shoes. They use them for rehearsing and practice. Some dance-sneakers have a supportive box toe so that the dancer can stand on pointe. Dance-sneakers are also worn by hip-hop dancers and swing dancers who dance with the weight on the balls of the feet.

Dance

Athletic shoes or dance-fitness shoes, also referred to as dance-aerobic shoes, are made for performing a combination of dance and fitness moves. They have the support and shock absorption of a cross-trainer with the lightness of a dance shoe. They also have minimal tread on the sole of the foot for easy pivoting and gliding across the floor. Zumba is a combination of mostly latin dancing and basic fitness moves and may contain low to high impact exercises. A zumba class is often cardio intensive and the exercises may produce stress on the knees and hips. Athletic shoes or shoes made especially for dance fitness will provide the support and stability you will need for this type of aerobic class.

Choosing the Best Shoes For Zumba - Athletic Vs Dance

Choosing a shoe for zumba may be based on many things from considering the type of floor that you are dancing on to preferring a shoe with extra support or extra width. The best shoe is one that gives you a combination of support for your feet and legs along with an ease of movement across the floor.

Choosing the Best Shoes For Zumba - Athletic Vs Dance

Want to know more about zumba? Here's some of the most popular dance-aerobic shoes for zumba.

watches cell phone Best Offer Lufkin Cn1295Sme590 13 Milimeter 1 2