We started delivering Zumba classes in January of this year as a way to share our passion for Zumba with our community in Lower Hutt, New Zealand and maybe make enough money to cover the cost of venue hire. However, COVID-19 quickly stopped our face to face classes in its tracks, and we were left unsure of what we were to do. Initially, we thought we would take our courses online and continue pricing them the same as we did before. But we felt uncomfortable asking for money until we could deliver an experience we were happy with.
Jenna and I started attending Zumba classes about nine years ago, and we were lucky enough to have a phenomenal instructor, Mark, who connected with everyone and made the Zumba experience feel like a real party. What Mark brought to his class was the same feeling that Jenna and I wanted to bring to our classes and we were not sure if we could accomplish this same feeling online. So we decided that we would work through the technology and issues of online streaming until we felt comfortable asking people to pay for our online classes. It's taken some time and effort to get the technology sorted, but we're almost there and feel that our streaming class is now at a level we were happy to present. But, we've realised that there is a far more valuable thing we can do during the COVID-19 crisis, we could continue to offer our classes for free.
New Zealand like many others around the world have impossed restrictions and lockdown orders to ’flatten the curve‘. We know that many people aren't able to work while on lockdown, which will cause financial stress in many homes, not only in New Zealand but all over the world. Jenna and I are still working fulltime from home and are so grateful that we can do that. Because of that, we're in a position to help others, and that is why our online classes are free and will stay that way as long as we can provide them. If we can help people stay active and bring some fun and music into their homes during the lockdown, then that's what we should do. When this crisis is over, and things go back to normal, whatever that new normal may look like, we hope that we can start our face to face classes again and be able to ask people to pay for those classes when we're all in a better financial situation.
Zumba is not for everyone; we realise that, and that is why we are also going to be delivering STRONG Nation, which is the new name for STRONG by Zumba. STRONG Nation is NOT DANCE. It is a workout done to music, but the music is only there to help you keep the tempo and intensity of the workout flowing. STRONG Nation uses a mixture of HIIT based programming, bodyweight exercises, core movements and martial arts elements to deliver a unique workout. I've taught other types of group fitness programmes that offered very similar elements, but I've never experienced any programme that delivered a workout in such an effective way. Below is a sample of one of the tracks that we will be delivering in our STRONG 30 class.
At the moment we're delivering Zumba classes every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 6 pm (NZST) but this might change to 5:30 pm (NZST). We're also offering a Saturday morning class at 9 am (NZST) which is a great way to start the weekend. Zumba is such a fantastic way to stay fit in your home, crank up the music and follow along as best as you can. It doesn't matter if you don't get the moves or think you have no rhythm, move the way you want.
STRONG Nation classes should be ready to go in about a week, but we're not sure as to when we should slot these in. We know that we would like to start with two classes per week and these will be STRONG 30 (30 minutes in length) classes. These could be mid or early morning classes. If you have any preferences, please leave a comment below. If you would like to know when we these classes go live sign up to our mailing list.
At the end of all our classes we do a quick Facebook Live session to connect with people and ask for feedback on what tracks people like, or not, we know that we all have our favourites. With us all being locked down in our homes at the moment it's more important now that we stay connected. It would be awesome if you could join us in one of our classes. From our homepage, you first need to sign up to get access. Add the class date and time to your calendar, so you don't forget, we offer a link to do that, and then you're ready to go.
The most important thing is that everyone stays safe, keep within your bubbles, use technology to stay connected with family, friends and community and do what you can to stay active and healthy.
