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Zumba Latin Basic Steps for Beginners

Zumba Latin Basic Steps for Beginners — video by Zumba Play · 11:32

Video by Zumba on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Official Zumba tutorial: instructor Mauricio Camargo breaks down the four core rhythms (cumbia, merengue, salsa and reggaeton), building each step from a simple base. Ideal before trying your first class.

  • 12 min
  • Beginner
  • Moderate impact
  • No equipment
  • Latin

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 10

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Cumbia two-step: stomp, then relax so the back foot bends with a small bounce; open the arm on four. 0:36
  2. Cumbia front and back: two steps front and back on each side, add a shake, then link it to the two-step. 1:23
  3. Merengue march: march on the spot, let the upper body swing loosely side to side, then add arms. 2:58
  4. Merengue six count: a harder six-count pattern from the march, then back to marching. 3:57
  5. Merengue two-step: a simple two steps to each side, then back to the march. 4:41
  6. Merengue shuffle: single, single, stop, then single, single and a double. 5:26
  7. Salsa: start with simple taps, then step front and back; go back to the taps whenever you get lost. 6:02
  8. Salsa two-step to the side and then forward, then join it to the front-and-back step. 7:54
  9. Reggaeton: relaxed side-to-side steps with a small bounce, then the reggaeton two-step. 9:33
  10. Reggaeton single, single, double, then add the arms. 10:15

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Relax your body in the cumbia so the back foot bends with a small, easy bounce
  • March in place for merengue and let the upper body swing loosely side to side
  • Lost in the salsa? Go back to simple taps, then rejoin the front-and-back step

What it works

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Shoulders movesarm opens and arm swings
  • Lower back moveship sways and shakes in cumbia
  • Hips movescumbia and salsa steps, hip sway
  • Knees movesmarching, taps, small bounces, side steps
  • Ankles & feet movesstomps, taps, step-touches, shuffles

Easier option from the coach: Salsa: drop back to simple taps whenever a step feels hard

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Zumba; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety