Conventional fitness and toning exercises include weights, stretching, resistance training, and cardio. Zumba provides a dance workout and typically involves a Latin-inspired dance workout featuring salsa, flamenco, and merengue music. The classes feature 60-minute high-energy sessions, focusing on moving to the music, even for those not good at dancing. The primary purpose is to melt body fat, improve flexibility, and strengthen the body's core.

Compared to other fitness programs, Zumba is classified as medium intensity. High-intensity workouts include weightlifting, cycling, rowing, and pushups, while low-intensity workouts include walking, slow jogging, and swimming. As an interval workout rather than short and intense bursts of activity, Zumba classes interchange between high and low-intensity dancing meant to boost your cardio endurance.

Pre-selected dance moves focus on the midsection and hip area. Then, steps and lunges tone the quads, glutes, hamstrings, and thigh areas. For extra cardio and more results, Zumba Toning and Zumba Steps incorporate supplementary aids such as light weights. However, standard Zumba does not focus on the back or building muscle.