Zulurobics is the perfect remedy to relieve your fitness blues, says the workout's creator, Temi Stallings. ‘Our vision is to make everyone fitness warriors with a fierce body and attitude towards a healthier lifestyle. Zulurobics caters to anyone interested in health, African culture, dance and most of all, fun.’
While you might associate African dance with tourist entertainment instead of health benefits, Zulurobics actually requires intense cardio endurance, she explains. Once you experience this vigorous workout, you'll realise how effective African dance can be in giving you a toned body.
‘With all the hype about Africa and the World Cup, I think this form of exercise could really take off worldwide,’ says Zone Fitness personal trainer, Candice Hemp. It can benefit you both physically and psychologically, she adds.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
‘From a physical aspect, ’ says Hemp, ‘it will improve cardio vascular fitness, which increases fat burning enzymes and decreases body fat.’ (Read: weight loss!) ‘It will also increase muscle mass, and tone and firm the body for an all-round workout.’
With a focus on rhythmic African dance movements, says Stallings, Zulurobics is made up of traditional Indlamu Zulu dance, gumboot dancing, the Jive, West African dance, Cumbia, Kwela and Capoeira. ‘Traditional dance plays a vital role in African culture. It is a way of storytelling passed down from generations.’ The Indlamu Zulu dance, for example, tells the story of a warrior preparing for battle, she explains. ‘Their leader, Shaka Zulu trained his warriors to imitate the leopard and this dance mimics the leopard’s strength and stealth.’
ON A MENTAL NOTE
There are also psychological benefits of Zulurobics, says Hemp. And because it adds fun to training, it can improve your mood, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, and relieve stress. Stallings believes it's because of the emotional enjoyment you'll experience when you hear African music and drum beats.
SIGN ME UP!
To get a feel of how Zulurobics works, watch this video.
If you’re keen to try out Zulurobics, classes are held every Monday at 6pm at 68B Wale Street in Cape Town. Contact Temi Stallings on 021 433 0829/084 869 6699, e-mail
info@zulurobics.co.za or visit
Zulurobics for more information. If you don't live in Cape Town, you can purchase the Zulurobics DVD (R149, 95) from the website. For every DVD sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the
We Count Foundation, which benefits underprivileged children in Africa.