How did Zumba start?

Zumba originated from an impromptu solution by Beto Perez, a dancer and aerobics instructor from Cali, Colombia. In the 1990s, Perez arrived at his aerobics class only to realize he had forgotten his usual workout music. He improvised with a cassette of Latin music he had, which included cumbia, merengue, and salsa. To his surprise, the class loved it. This inspired Perez to develop this new type of workout, which combined aerobics with dance, making exercise fun and engaging 1 2.

Perez's classes gained immense popularity in Colombia, leading him to pursue opportunities in the U.S., specifically Miami. After facing several rejections, his persistence paid off when an audition unexpectedly turned into an impromptu class that drew a crowd, impressing the health club manager and launching his career in America 1.

Together with his business partners, Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion, Perez expanded Zumba into a global fitness brand. They leveraged infomercials and established the Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN) in 2006, which provided instructors with music, choreography, and marketing support. This subscription model contributed significantly to Zumba's growth 3 4.

Collaborations with music artists like Pitbull, Daddy Yankee, and others further boosted Zumba's popularity by integrating contemporary music into its sessions, making it a worldwide sensation enjoyed by millions 4.