Five Dance Workouts Invented in Miami to Get Your Groove (and Sweat) On

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It's been almost 15 years since Zumba swept the nation with its proprietary blend of hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue and mambo moves, inviting us to "ditch the workout and join the party." Today, the fitness phenomenon, headquartered in Hallandale and founded by Colombian dancer-choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez, is in 180 countries with 200,000 locations worldwide.

Today, we're feeling the echoes of Zumba as a new generation of dance fitness classes are popping (and locking?) up right here in the 305. In fact, in New York City and Washington D.C., 305 Fitness, which was founded by 25-year old Miami native and Brown University alum Sadie Kurzban, is "poised to become the next Zumba" according to New York Observer. There are no classes in Miami yet, but we're thinking it's only a matter of time.

With Ultra Music Festival celebrating its 16th birthday this year and Miami Music Week in full force (here's our party guide), we thought it was time to bring Miami's heart-pumping, hip-swaying dance workouts to light. Whether it's fist pumping in a sea of ravers or shimmying at a Zumba party, we like to think our city's got a strong foothold on dance.

Photo: Zumba

Zumba

Founded and headquartered in Miami, there are hundreds of Zumba classes to choose from every week taught by Zumba-certified instructors throughout the city. From Brickell Avenue to Calle Ocho, studios like 360 Energy in Motion, Sports Club LA and LA Fitness have Zumba on their rosters, and you can even take classes outside at Jose Marti Park.

An open-level workout combining low and high-intensity, interval-style dance moves to the beat of Latin and World music, Zumba is known as a workout in disguise. (In Zumba-speak, you're not at a "class," you're at a party). You'll burn calories, condition your muscles and enhance balance and flexibility all while getting a serious dose of endorphins and energy from the high-energy dance moves.

Photo: Powerumba Fitness

Powerumba Fitness

Powerumba Fitness is a Zumba-inspired dance workout founded in 2012 by Colombia native Martin del Villar, a professional dancer and former "Zumba Celebrity" who's traveled the world performing and teaching. It's also the name of his gym in North Miami.

Offering del Villar's proprietary Latin dance workout, the gym also specializes in group classes including body sculpting, dyna-box, yoga and Powerumba Cycling. Powerumba is offered daily and you can take classes with del Villar himself. There's even a Wednesday night class called Powerpop Dance that's definitely worth checking out.

Photo: Driely S. for Racked

Vixen Workout

Inspired by Miami's heart-pulsing nightlife scene (Bugatti by Ace Hood is a favorite of Jones's) Vixen Workout offers high-energy dance moves in a setting where women are encouraged to dress in their finest leggings and tanks, rock fierce lipstick and sport wedges in class.

The workout was founded in 2012 by Janet Jones, winner of our Hottest Trainer competition and a longtime dancer. The  #VixenArmy has since spread to New York, Hoboken, Chicago and LA. With a distinct girl power mission, these sexy dance classes are made for women only, which helps create a space where they can unabashedly be their most powerful selves.

Photo: Boss Chick Dance Workout

The Boss Chick Dance Workout

Act like a lady, dance like a boss– this is the maxim of London-born and Miami-bred 
Simone Sobers, the founder of the Boss Chick Dance Workout. A classically trained dancer who holds an MFA from NYU, Sobers founded Boss Chick in 2012.

With classes in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, New York and London, this ladies only class combines hip-hop, dancehall and reggaeton in a high-intensity, calorie-burning, twerk-fueled full body workout.

Photo: Facebook/ReggaeFit

ReggaeFit

Set to the tunes of reggae, soca, and Latin music, ReggaeFit incorporates Caribbean dance moves into an hour-long fitness class. Founded in 2012 and co-owned by Rachel Chang and Andre Senior, ReggaeFit offers classes and packages for adults, as well as kids and teens at its locations in Sunrise, Pembroke Pines, and Miami Lakes in April. It promises a full body, cardio-pumping experience in a welcoming environment with Caribbean flavor.