I tried a 5,000-step Zumba walking workout – and the results really surprised me
When you work from home, it can be difficult to fit enough exercise into your day, but walking 10,000 steps is one way to support your physical and mental health.
You don’t even have to leave the house to increase your step count. There are plenty of walking workouts online, like Rick Bhullar’s Zumba dance-walking session below, which promises 5,000 steps in 45 minutes.
I work from home as a freelance journalist and trainer, and my schedule is jam-packed, so the chances of going for a walk during the day are pretty slim, and even less so in the evenings when I put my two young daughters to bed. So Bhullar’s workout was perfect for me. And I made some surprising discoveries.
Try Rick Bhullar’s 5000 Step Zumba Workout:
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My findings
Moving continuously for 45 minutes is a good cardio workout
In Bhullar’s beginner-friendly routine, he combines elements of Zumba, walking, and dancing. It’s a fun workout that will increase your cardiovascular fitness and endurance. You won’t stop moving your feet throughout the entire session, and according to my fitness tracker, I burned over 300 calories in just 45 minutes.
Step-based training also trains the brain
A step-by-step workout requires coordination, focus and memory as the routine builds up to a full Zumba sequence. This is a great workout for the brain and helps improve coordination and the all-important mind-muscle connection.
Dance training is so much fun that you don’t even notice the time
I get bored when I have to repeat exercises during a workout, but there was no danger of that during this workout. It starts with some basic steps that become increasingly difficult as Bhullar adds more elements and combinations to the choreography. The result is a fun, exciting and fast-paced routine. I honestly didn’t look at the clock once and the 45 minutes flew by.
I had forgotten how mood-lifting Zumba can be
I used to take a Zumba class every Monday night. Most weeks I was exhausted from work, had no motivation, and was dying to leave before I even started. But by the end of the class I had a big smile on my face and always went home feeling positive and revitalized. The same thing happened with this Zumba workout. Yes, I was still as uncoordinated as before, but boy did I feel good at the end!
If you’re feeling tired or down, I highly recommend this 5,000-step Zumba workout. It will instantly lift your spirits.
