You don’t need to spend hours on reading research and listening to TED-talks of influential scientists to know that exercise is good for you. Although, if studying can motivate you to start a fitness path, then you should. But if the main reason why you are still not a fitness addict is that you haven’t found what drives you, that’s a different story. Is yoga boring and the gym too intimidating? Don’t know how to swim or water is just not your element? Why not give dance fitness a try? Based on simple dance steps, aerobics, and interval exercises, dance fitness such as Zumba and Breakletics can help you to get your fit on and release endorphins even more than a regular workout. Check out our list of the best places to have dance fitness classes in Macau and start moving to the rhythm!
Macao Fitness
Zumba, as many genius creations, was born as a result of a mistake. The man behind it is Alberto Peréz, a Colombian dance and aerobics teacher. One day he forgot to bring proper music, but luckily still had his Latin tunes with him. While his students practiced their moves to salsa and merengue, this new energetic fitness routine was born! It is almost like being at a party, but without alcohol and with a number of health benefits involved. In one hour of Zumba, you can burn between 350 and 650 calories, which is comparable to an hour of jogging.
From Colombia to Macau, Zumba has a giant fan base. One of the places you can try it out or continue practicing is Macao Fitness. Besides their top-notch power-lifting equipment, treadmills, and all kinds of Star Trac and Life Fitness machines, there are several group classes to choose from. For members, group sessions are included in the cost, there is no need to register in advance for Zumba. If you are not a member though, you can enjoy them with Macao Fitness day pass.
Zumba classes happen several times per week. Check the schedule on the Macao Fitness website that they update every month.
Macao Fitness 4/F AIA Tower, 251A–301 Avenida Comercial de Macau, Macau, +853 2875 1189, macao-fitness.com, www.instagram.com/macaofitness,
Photo credit: V Studio
V Studio
One of Macau’s most diverse studios, V Studio offers a variety of yoga classes, meditation, fitness, and Bollywood dancing. For some explosive Brazilian energy and feel-good cardio, head to Andreia’s Zumba classes. Attentive and cheerful, she makes sure her students have fun during the class. Andreia is a professional dancer who started dancing when she was 14. Her professional career began two years later and since then, she has worked as both a dancer and a teacher of Lambaerobica (a dance fitness style with Brazilian roots), country dance, and Zumba. She didn’t stop moving from that moment, finally settling in Macau in 2009 and eventually joining Dance Brazil Company.
Follow V Studio on Facebook to check the schedule that they upload weekly. They often share some videos and photos from classes and sessions on their official Instagram account, follow them and see for yourself!
V Studio Rua do Patio da Concordia, no. 19, Fabrica Wang Kai, 13/B, +853 6393 2002, www.facebook.com/vstudiomacau, www.instagram.com/vstudiomacau, www.facebook.com/vstudiomacau
Photo credit: Ksenia Kuzmina
Warrior Fitness
A gym for all kinds of fighters and warriors, Warrior Fitness is mainly focused on martial arts and fighting disciplines. However, they also offer group workout classes, yoga, pilates, and dancing.
Zumba classes can be significantly different, depending on an instructor. Luckily, at Warrior Fitness you have three to chose from. If you are new to Zumba and don’t have much dancing experience, Andreia would be a perfect teacher for you. During her classes, she would first show all the steps slowly, explaining in English at the same time. This way, when the music is on, you’d feel much more comfortable and will be able to repeat the steps with less effort. If you like Andreia’s teaching style, you can also attend her or Lambaerobica sessions which is similar to Zumba, or belly dancing.
There are two more instructors at Warrior Fitness–Mel and Norma. For merengue, reggaeton, and salsa tunes, and intense workout, try Norma’s classes. At the moment, there are four dance fitness classes per week. Make sure to follow Warrior Fitness on Facebook to see the schedule.
Warrior Fitness Macau Va Nam Bldg, Avenida Olimpica, Taipa, +853 6223 1511, warriormacau.com, www.instagram.com/warriormacau, www.facebook.com/warriormacau
Photo credit: Life Project
Life Project
What if Latin rhythms don’t make you want to move your hips like Shakira? When it comes to dancing, music taste is often important for some of us. Fortunately, there is more to dance fitness than just Zumba! Check out Breakletics at Life Project, a functional workout routine performed to hip-hop, funk, and breakbeats. In terms of training, it’s a high-intensity interval one. And the dance part is inspired by breaking. Although the Breakletics moves are easy to follow. For example, the “six-step” that comes from breakdance was taken, reworked, and combined with a plank. So b-boys and b-girls or anyone who can’t stand still to the hip-hop beats would love it!
Life Project is a 24/7 gym in Taipa with a range of group classes. Not a member? No need to worry–you can access the classes with a day pass or only group-class memberships. At the moment, Breakletics classes are on Tuesday and Thursday, at 7:00pm. To have a glimpse of what to expect from the classes and check the latest Life Project news, follow their Facebook and Instagram pages.
Life Project R/C AI 277 Jardim Hoi Wan, Estrada Almirante Magalhães Correia, Taipa, +853 6684 2299, www.lifeprojectmacau.com, www.instagram.com/lifeprojectmacau
Photo credit: Ksenia Kuzmina
JK Fitbox
A cozy stylish gym in St. Lazarus’ offers a convenient and well-equipped space for exercising, as well as a range of group activities. After lifting some weights or spinning, shake what your mama gave you with Edmond at a Zumba or Strong by Zumba class. Being an experienced dancer and performer, Edmond is also a certified Zumba trainer who loves Latin rhythms and it’s contagious. Once you hear those groovy tunes and feel Edmond’s explosive energy, you won’t be able to stop until the end of the class! The steps are easy to follow and fun to perform. Strong by Zumba is a more intense routine, check it out to burn even more calories.
If you wish to explore more dance fitness styles at JK Fitbox, there are also Pound Fit and Urban Dance sessions. Taught by Edmond, Pound Fit is a full-body workout with lightly weighted drumsticks, specifically designed for this training. Pound Fit will help you release your inner Ringo Starr and get fit at the same time. For more advanced dance steps, choose Urban Dance with Debora, a dancer, and a fitness instructor. Still relatively easy to follow, it’s intense cardio that would improve your hip-hop moves.
To be updated on the schedule and new activities, check out their Facebook page.
JK Fitbox 44 Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga, Macau, +853 2855 0192, jkfitbox.weebly.com, www.instagram.com/jkfitbox, www.facebook.com/jkfitness.mo
