I've always loved dancing Zumba. Ever since I was little, any beat would make my body move without me even realizing it.
But adulthood arrived and, with it, the rush of everyday life.
Work, commitments, tiredness… and that desire to exercise in a fun way was put aside.
I even tried going to the gym a few times, but I never lasted very long. The monotony of the workouts and the obligation to follow fixed schedules always made me give up.
That's when I remembered Zumba – a mix of dance and exercise that, besides being fun, burns a lot of calories without us even noticing.
The problem? In-person classes were expensive, and I didn't want to or couldn't spend a lot.
That's when I started looking for alternatives and discovered that there are free apps to take Zumba classes at home.
I tested several and, after a few attempts, I found two incredible apps that completely changed my routine.
I'll tell you how they work and why I recommend them so much!
1. Zumba Fitness Dance
The first app I tested was Zumba Fitness Dance. It caught my attention because it has a very straightforward proposal: to offer complete classes, without having to pay anything.
I downloaded it without any great expectations, but I was surprised in the first class.
The interface is super intuitive. I chose my level (beginner, intermediate or advanced), the amount of time I wanted to exercise and, voila, I had a workout set up for me.
The best part? The lessons aren't just a sequence of random steps.
They were structured by professionals, so they make sense from start to finish, with warm-up, main choreography and cool-down at the end.
Another thing that won me over was that it had a variety of rhythms. It wasn't just reggaeton, which many people associate with Zumba.
There’s salsa, hip-hop, funk, pop and even electronic music. This makes each class different from the last – and keeps me from getting bored of the same repetitive sequence.
My experience:
The first week I did 20-minute classes three times a week. I didn't think it would make much of a difference, but I soon noticed my endurance improving.
The coolest thing was realizing that, even though I was sweating a lot, I didn't feel exhausted like I do with other activities. On the contrary, I finished each session feeling energized!
Plus, the steps are easy to follow. The app shows the moves clearly, and even when I messed up, I could quickly get back into the swing of things. No pressure, no embarrassment – just fun.
So, if you want to start dancing Zumba without any hassle, Zumba Fitness Dance is a great choice!
2. Dance Workout: Aerobic & Zumba
After using the first app for a while, I wanted to try another option to vary my workouts.
That's when I found Dance Workout: Aerobic & Zumba, an app that mixes dance with aerobic workouts.
The difference with this app is that it focuses more on the fitness side of Zumba.
Classes combine choreography with high-intensity exercises such as squats, jumps and arm movements to tone the entire body.
The cool thing is that it allows you to customize your workouts according to your goal – whether you want to lose weight, improve your endurance or just have fun.
My experience:
The first workout I did was 30 minutes long and, honestly, I thought I wouldn't be able to handle it. The first 10 minutes were just dancing, very lively and engaging.
But then the intermittent exercises began, and that's when I felt my body really working. At the end, I was exhausted – but with that good feeling of mission accomplished.
Another detail that won me over was the soundtrack.
In Dance Workout, the songs are super current and lively, making it feel like a party. This makes all the difference in keeping you motivated.
After a few weeks alternating between the two apps, I noticed incredible results: more energy, improved coordination and, of course, a much better mood.
What I learned doing Zumba at home
If there's one thing these apps have taught me, it's that exercising can be fun and pressure-free.
Unlike at the gym, where I always felt obliged to follow a strict workout, with Zumba I just press play and let my body follow the rhythm.
Plus, taking classes at home has given me a freedom I never had before. If I want to train in the morning, I can.
So if I'm really tired and want to do just 10 minutes, that's fine too. There are no rules, no pressure – just movement and well-being.
Another huge advantage is that I didn't have to spend anything. Both apps are free and offer a full experience without the need for a subscription.
Sure, they have premium versions, but I never felt the need to pay.
If you also want to move around in a light, fun and uncompromising way, I recommend trying these two apps. I found them available for download at Android and in the iOS.
Each one has its own style, but both are excellent for those who want to learn Zumba and get in shape without leaving home.
Now tell me: have you tried taking a Zumba class? If not, this could be the perfect opportunity to start!