Zumba Music: My Little Guide to Zumba Songs

What is Zumba Music?

The great thing about zumba music (the music used in class) is that it can be traditional and modern. This is one of the reasons I love Zumba. When Zumba first started it was nearly all latin style music, but instructors now use other tunes including chart music and hip hop. In my opinion this is a really fantastic way to motivate and inspire people during class.

Most Zumba instructors will keep 70% of the music they use in class international rhythms (like latin style music) and mix up the other 30% with more modern zumba music, like chart music. We do tend to see a lot more chart based routines than anything else on sites like youtube and it’s a little unrepresentative. I think this is mainly to do with the intellectual property rights covering the official Zumba routines.

Types of Zumba Songs:

As you probably know, Zumba draws inspiration from a lot of different dance styles, and you’ll see the different styles of dance that Zumba uses in class. Much like aerobics or street dance, Zumba instructors also use different Zumba songs and music to help their students warm up, work out and finally cool down. Here are some of the different dance styles and types of song used in Zumba:

Belly Dance
Bollywood / Bhangra
Cha Cha
Cumbia
Flamenco
Merengue
Reggaeton
Salsa
Samba
Chart Music

Warm up Music
Cool Down Music

Further down this page I have made song recommendations for each of the different styles, so that you can download them to make your own Zumba Playlist.

Zumba Music CD’s

A lot of the zumba songs that you hear in class are taken from official CD’s compiled by Zumba Fitness. Unfortunately they are only available to Zumba instructors through their membership of the Zumba instructor network (ZIN).

Although the ZIN CD’s aren’t available to buy it is possible to download the tracks individually because the CD’s are music compilations. You can also download one of the official albums that Zumba make available to the public. They definitely worth checking out:

These Zumba Music albums are well worth getting hold of:

• Zumba Fitness Official Soundtrack
• Vibe Tribe by Zumba Fitness
• Best of Exhilarate Soundtrack
• Party Nation

‘Zumba with Gail’ is a blog that maintains an excellent list of all of the ZIN CD’s and the tracks that are on each of these CD’s; to help you track down you favourite zumba songs: http://zumbawithgaileee.blogspot.com/p/zumba-zin-songs-list.html

Make Your own Zumba Playlist

I’m a big fan of putting together my own playlists using my favourite Zumba songs. I usually download them from amazon or itunes and the pop them on my ipod. Here are some of the ones that I like.

Zumba Belly Dance Songs

Some people aren’t too keen on incorporating belly dance into their Zumba Routines, I think it definitely adds something and for me its more about the feeling and style… and of course fun!

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
Yasou Ellada	Aspacia & DJ Andy Hughes
Whenever, Wherever	Shakira
Ojitos Chiquitos (nice slow song)	Don Omar
Say Na Say Na	Robert Uhlman

Zumba Bollywood & Zumba Bhangra Songs

Bollywood and Bhangra routines have become increasing popular especially following the release of Jai Ho. They’re all inspired by the amazing bollywood film industry. Love it.

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
Boro Boro	Robert Uhlman/Arash
Jai Ho!	A.R. Rahman
The Power (Of Bhangra)	Snap
Chor Bazari	Sunidhi Chauhan
Discowale Khisko	KK, Sunidhi Chauhan, Rana Mazumder

Zumba Cha Cha Songs

Cha Cha is closely linked to Mambo. It involves three quick steps; cha cha cha or triple step as well as two slower steps on the 1 beat and 2 beat.

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
Cha Cha Heels	Rosabel Featuring Jeanie Tracy
Arrasando	Thalia
Represent, Cuba	The Latin Party Allstars
Rie Y Llora	Celia Cruz
Cuchi-Cuchi	Los Amigos Invisibles

Zumba Cumbia Songs

Cumbia is a folk dance style who’s origins lie in the costal regions of Columbia. Combia has a rhythm which is ’1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and…’. In terms of speed Cumbia is a slow / moderate dance style.

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
Gotas De Agua Dulce	Juanes
Lagartija Azul	Fonseca
Cumbia Árabe	Mariachi Tecalìtlán
Feelin' Good	Locos Por Juana
Brinca	DJ Kane
Muevelo	Cruz Martinez presenta Los Super Reyes
Fuego	A.B. Quintanilla III Y Los Kumbia Kings

Zumba Flamenco Songs

As I’m sure you know Flamenco originated from Spain, it emerged from a number of different cultures and the moves in flamenco are all about emotion. Sweeping arms, hand clapping and foot-stamping.

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
Torre De Babel	David Bisbal
Baila Morena - Flamenco	Zumba Fitness
No Me Toques Las Palmas Que Me Conozco!	Maria Isabel
Oye El Boom	David Bisbal
Volare	Gipsy Kings
La Fiesta	Zumba Fitness

Zumba Merengue Songs

Merengue is so much fun and its great with Zumba. Merengue music has a very quick tempo. I always sweat buckets, but I love to zumba to merengue.

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
La Langosta	Amarfis Y La Banda De Atakke
1,2,3 - Merengue	Grupo Merenguisimo
El Rompecinturas	La Banda del Merengue
La Dueña Del Swing	Grupo Ramirez
La Faldita	La Gran Familia

Zumba Reggaeton Songs

Reggaeton is a dance style which has been influenced by Jamaican music and initially gained popularity in Panama. One of the main instruments used is the Reggae Drum and Zumba moves include the Zumba Hit / Crumping.

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
Cuando Tu No Estas	Reggaeton Latino
Oye	Mara
Gasolina	Daddy Yankee
Krazy	Pitbull
Rompe	Daddy Yankee

Zumba Salsa Songs

Salsa is a great dance style who’s origins lie in Cuba. The basic Zumba steps are very similar to some of the other styles however during the four beats you’ll only move on the first three.

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
I Love Salsa	N-Klabe
La vida es un carnaval	Celia Cruz
La Mazucamba	Orlano De La Rosa

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
Chillando Goma	Fulanito
Corazón en Fuga	Puentes Brothers
Magalenha	Sergio Mendes
Iko Iko	The Belle Stars
Samba Groove	The Latin Rhythm

Warming up is one of the most important parts of any Zumba class and if you are practicing at home you need to make sure you incorporate a warm up routine. Warming up will allow your heart rate and core temperature to rise gradually, increase flexibility and help prevent muscle injuries. Ideally you should try to use 2-3 songs for warming up properly!

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
Club Can't Handle Me	Flo Rida
Shut It Down	Pitbull ft. Akon
Miss Sunshine	RIO
Turbina	Prophex
Check it out	Will I Am

Zumba Cool Down Music

The cool down is especially important when you have been dancing for a long time. It’s all about lowering your pulse slowly, and regaining your composure! try incorporating some stretches to help with muscle fatigue and lactic acid. The cooldown songs should be slower paced, here are a few I like:

Song Title	Artist	Amazon Download
Sabrosura	Propheta
This is Why I'm Hot	Mims
In for the Kill	La Roux
Lambada	Kaoma
Rocketeer	Far East Movement

These are just a few of the thousands of the great zumba tunes you can get, if you’ve got any suggestions, tell me below!