Crossroads Fitness Blog

You don’t have to look very hard to see that pink is in the air.  Walk into any store and you’ll find everything from pink cupcakes to pink-colored hair spray cans. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Zumba Party in Pink charity events are just one of those amazing events in our community that not only raise money, but also offers a fun way to exercise.

Party in Pink Zumbathons have partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure. This event started in 2010 and has raised more than $3 million for groundbreaking research, community health outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 30 countries.   “Regular exercise is associated with reduced breast cancer risk, so we’ve been delighted to benefit from Zumba Fitness’ popular and fun Party in Pink campaign,” said Chandini Porteus, chief mission officer for Susan G. Komen. So, if you think that attending these events doesn’t really matter — think again.

Why Zumba? There are more benefits than just raising money. Zumba is a fitness program that combines Latin-inspired music with dance moves. Zumba routines incorporate moderate aerobic activity, interval training and resistance training all in one class.  Another plus with Zumba is that it’s fun, so you’re more likely to do it regularly.  Because of the aerobic activity, you’re strengthening your heart and burning calories. We all love that.  

You don’t have to be a trained dancer to reap the benefits.  Men, women and children of all ages and levels of experience can join in. There are a variety of Zumba class formats.  For example, Zumba Gold is a lower-intensity class aimed towards the older, active adult, emphasizing range of motion and balance. Zumba Kids is a class for children that introduces a healthy lifestyle, builds self-esteem and teaches coordination, all while having a great time!

There are other benefits of Zumba that might not be as transparent. Zumba programs have impacted millions of people’s lives in positive ways. Participating in these classes helps build self-confidence. It’s heartwarming the Zumba builds relationships among the participants and their instructors. Crossroads Fitness has been hosting Party in Pink Zumbathons since the beginning.  This month was the fifth year in a row, and the event keeps gaining momentum.  

As with many forms of cancer, learning the preventative measurements before it strikes can have life-saving results. Exercise, nutrition and a positive attitude are all ways to be healthy.  Learning about your body and how it moves and feels is one way to keep an eye on your health.  When things don’t seem right, don’t hesitate to check it out. No one knows your body better than you do. Routine testing, such as mammograms, can help to detect problems early.  

There are many charity events that help to raise money and awareness for cancer and other diseases.  It makes your heart feel good to know you can join in and be part of the solution.   Attending one of these events brings participants to shed a few tears, be silly and laugh as well as burn calories.