What Muscles Do You Work When Doing Zumba? Which Body Parts Get the Most Benefit?

Zumba for fitness and strength building

What muscles are we training when doing Zumba?

Depending on the sport you practice, certain areas of the body will be solicited more than others, but what about when you do a Zumba session? Will Zumba help you tone and refine your figure? Below is a list of the muscles and muscle groups strengthened and sculpted by Zumba!

Upper limbs (shoulders, arms and forearms)

• Biceps: These muscles on the front of the upper arm are surrounded by two joints (scapulohumeral, elbow). The biceps comprise two muscles (long biceps and short biceps) that help flex and rotate the arms.
• The triceps : Located on the inner side of the arm, they comprise three muscles ( vastus lateralis, vastus internus and long head of triceps) which complement the flexor role of the biceps brachii. The triceps allow forearm extension.

Trunk and pelvis (Chest, stomach and back)

• Abdominals : These are made up of several layers of muscle(rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, transverse), whose function is to flex and rotate the trunk.

Lower limbs (glutes, thighs and calves)

• Quadriceps: Located at the front of the thigh, the quadriceps is made up of 4 muscles (vastus femoris or rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius). These muscles facilitate flexion of the thigh over the hip, as well as extension of the leg over the thigh.
• Hamstring muscles: Located on the back of the thigh, there are four hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semitendinosus). They ensure leg flexion and thigh extension.
• Calf muscles: also known as the sural triceps, the calf muscles comprise 3 muscle fascicles, including the soleus and gastrocnemius. These muscles help extend the foot down the leg

Zumba is a complete and effective sport that trains the whole body. Thanks to alternating long and fast rhythms, this discipline helps to maintain breath and stamina, while allowing you to sculpt your figure in a joyful, good-humored way.