A 30-Minute Beginner Zumba Routine You Can Do At Home

Sarah Long
·4 min read

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While group exercise classes can be a fun and easy way to make working out a bit lit less of a slog, most of us would probably much rather sweat and dance our butts off without twenty other people watching. Plus, being able to give an hour plus to a new workout (all while dealing with cheerful fitness instructors and small talk with new acquaintances) takes up a lot of time that not every busy mama can manage without being 100 percent sure she loves it. Especially if you’re just getting into a new type of movement and an aren’t sure if you’re all-in just yet, you want the chance to introduce yourself slowly to the activity of your choice. The solution? YouTube, of course.

Although there are tons of different types of workouts on Youtube, we especially love the Zumba routines. They can be full half-hour long routines or just quick bursts so you can mix and match your favorite songs, instructors or types of dance. They’re just as great of a workout as they are at the dance studio but you can do them based on your own schedule.

Most Zumba centers around four different types of dance: cumbia, merengue, reggaeton and salsa. We’ve put together a fun, blood-pumpin’ workout that clocks in at just under 25 minutes. A quick routine can get your heart rate up and work on various parts of your body all at the same time, which is the key to effective exercise.

Side note: We tried to keep our routine at a beginners level, but the steps can still be tricky to get down at first. Don’t give up! A couple of times through the routine and you’ll be bouncing through it, no problem.

Warmup

According to Sports Medicine Information, a good warmup is an essential part of your routine that loosens joints and increases blood flow to your muscles — which helps prevent injuries. Don’t skip out on it.

Cumbia

Cumbia music has become a hugely popular genre all over Latin America. It’s definitely a fun and funky part of every Zumba routine.

Merengue

When you hear merengue, you usually think of ballroom — but that doesn’t mean the style can’t translate perfectly into a Zumba routine. This merengue set will definitely get your heart pumping.

Reggaeton

Compared to the other musical genres that comprise most Zumba routines, reggaeton is fairly new — but it’s totally taken over the pop world. It’s influenced everyone from No Doubt to Daddy Yankee, and it’s a blast to dance to.

Salsa

You can’t deny it: Salsa is pure fun. It revolves around one basic step and hip motion that can be altered from dancing in place to moving across the floor. It’s all about the hips and what you do with your hands.

The moves in this salsa video seem a bit fast at first, but stick with it and keep moving.

Cool down

Don’t drop to the floor just yet. Before you end your workout, make sure you do a proper cool down to avoid dizziness and extra-sore muscles. Plus, cool downs feel more like fun, crazy interpretive dance. So, why not?

Do it your own way

Once you think you’ve mastered the basics, don’t feel like you have to stick to the videos. Find a good, inspiring and body-moving playlist and try it on your own. Try songs like this to get you started.

  • “Despacito” (remix) — Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber

  • “Shape of You” (Latin remix) — Ed Sheeran ft. Zion and Lennox

  • “It Ain’t Me” — Kygo and Selena Gomez

  • “Sexy Body” — Pitbull ft. Jennifer Lopez

  • “Something Just Like This” — The Chainsmokers and Coldplay

  • “Limbo” — Daddy Yankee

  • “Sexy and I Know It” — LMFAO

  • “Eyes Like Yours” — Shakira

  • “La Excelencia” — Salsa Dura

  • “Show Me How You Burlesque” — Christina Aguilera

  • “Zumba” — Don Omar

  • “Starships” — Nicki Minaj

  • “All Around the World” — Paulina Rubio

  • “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)” — Fergie

  • “Pause” — Pitbull

  • “Hold It Against Me” — Britney Spears

  • “S&M” — Rihanna

  • “Zamba Zumba” — Zumba Fitness

  • “I Wan’na Be Like You” — Robbie Williams (ft. Olly Murs)

  • “Oh My God” — Ida Maria

  • “The Wedding Samba” — Edmundo Ros

Pick the ones that make you want to move the most and get to shakin’ those hips!

Originally published December 2015. Updated January 2020.

Looking for the best post-zumba cool down? Try a few of our favorite yoga videos:

Launch Gallery: 15 Free Online Yoga Videos for At-Home Practice

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