What Am I Going to Wear?

To be able to move freely during your workout, you need to be dressed comfortably. I get asked on a daily basis what kind of clothing is best to wear to Zumba classes. There are many choices when it comes to workout shoes and clothes, so I will give my recommendations.

If you participate in high impact activities, then you know the importance of a good pair of shoes. I prefer cross-trainers for Zumba because they are designed to provide support during lateral movement. We do lots of side to side and pivoting moves during class. Running shoes are made to absorb impact from the front rather than the side, so they're not the best choice for Zumba. I also strongly discourage you from wearing toning shoes with platform-type bottoms to my class. They are meant for walking or standing, and certainly not for aerobics. It would be very easy to twist an ankle or trip over the soles and injure yourself wearing them.

Through my experience, Nike seems to be the best brand of shoes I have been able to find. I have tried Ryka's aerobic dance shoes, and even Zumba shoes, but they haven't been very durable or long-lasting. I currently have Nike Zooms, and they're awesome. I have also used Nike indoor soccer shoes and 6.0 skateboarding shoes that were great. I prefer shoes made from leather or mesh, as suede and some man-made materials don't let your feet breathe enough. I wear custom orthotics in every pair of sneakers because of the natural stress aerobics put on my body, and they keep my feet free of pain associated with impact and pronation.

Another important article of workout clothing for women is a good sports bra. A lot of the steps in Zumba are "bouncy", even some of those that aren't high impact. I like Danskin high impact pullover bras on the low end of the price spectrum, but I prefer Nike or Reebok, and Old Navy's are a good choice as well. The elasticity usually wears out in a sports bra after a few months of frequent use, so they will need to be replaced quite often.

I like to wear Zumbawear from head to toe, not only to promote my classes, but because they are specifically designed for Zumba, and are very comfortable and stylish. The cargoes are lightweight and durable, and the tops stay in place through all the reaching, bending, and twisting I do in class. Plus, they feature all the bright colors I love to wear! I always keep a supply of Zumbawear in the trunk of my car if you are interested in purchasing any.

The best way to dress to come to a Zumba class is any way that you are most comfortable. I would suggest good quality shoes and a supportive sports bra to keep you safe and free to move as you like.