Hundreds of followers are bumping and grinding in gyms, studios and rugby clubrooms every night of the week and are seeing the benefits of the interval training-based classes.
By moving from high to low intensity throughout the workout, more fat is burned and aerobic capacity is increased.
The Zumba formula is based on moves from salsa, samba, merengue, flamenco, hip-hop and belly dancing and, if you believe the infomercials, is more like a dance party than a workout.
While sceptical about the party part, it sounded fun to me and I headed to the Salsa Moves NZ studio in Dunedin for a class.
Gearing up for it, I could not get thoughts of Dirty Dancing out of my head, and visions of my unco-ordinated self grooving away in front of others filled me with trepidation.
"If you listen to the music you will know what is coming."
The classes allow participants to burn calories, build, tone and sculpt lean muscle, improve stamina and endurance levels while boosting heart-rates.
On top of that, balance, posture, and core strength are improved and co-ordination and mental agility are challenged.
Class regular Justine Neill said she was "absolutely hooked" after her first class in March.
"The first time I came I had sore knees and I was out of breath, and now I just fly around the room," she said.
"I can't stop smiling from the time I arrive to the time I leave."
The workout was "energising", did not feel an hour long, and motivated her to continue exercising, even in winter.
I spoke to her before class and her enthusiasm got me pumped to give it a whirl.
When I saw the fairy lights and people handing out glow-bands, I knew it was going to be an experience.
Bang on start time, the class of about 45 formed lines across the studio ready for the warm-up.
Standing beside a man who was clearly having his first Zumba experience, I did not feel so bad about my somewhat wayward limbs.
With my feet warmed up and a smile spreading across my face, we launched into the first song and I threw myself into all the moves.
The hour-long class was packed full of hip shaking, shimmying, bum gyrating, arm flailing, hand clapping and spins, and it was fantastic.
All inhibitions were thrown out the window when Kate and fellow instructor Alfonso Rios shook what their mothers gave them, and we all shook back.
For each song, the lines shuffled around so everyone was given the chance to view the instructors at close range, and we were encouraged to "take a trip to the bar during the party" to top up on essential water.
As the bodies warmed up, so did the vocal cords - there was much cheering and whooping, and singing by those experienced folk who knew the words.
While I frequently lost my way, I felt no embarrassment, as I knew everyone else was concentrating on themselves.
I can also assure you the moves are not hard. For the one step combination that was beyond me, I felt good enough just flinging my feet around.
By the end of it, I was even singing, and the smile never left my face.
Bursting out into the cold night air with the group of sweaty bodies, I felt the buzz the infomercials want you to believe; the buzz that brings people back for more.
WHERE DID IT COME FROM?
• The Latin-inspired dance-fitness phenomenon started in Colombia in the mid-1990s after creator Beto Perez forgot aerobics music for one of his classes and used tapes of his favourite Latin salsa and merengue music instead.
• Over the past 10 years, he built his Zumba empire. The registered brand now includes a DVD and CD collection and thousands of official trainers all over the world.
• Classes started in Dunedin late last year and have been growing in popularity ever since.
Cost
• Salsa Moves: $10 for a casual class or $80 for a 10-class concession card.
• The Salsa Moves instructors hold classes during the week at their studio and also at Sacred Heart Hall. Check their website for a timetable, www.salsamoves.co.nz
• Other classes are offered in a range of Dunedin gyms and clubs. Visit http://search.zumba.com/classes/internationalresults for times and venues.
Coming soon
• Aqua Zumba: a slower-paced, water-based workout designed for those with less mobility or joint problems.
• Zumbatomic: a class for children under 12.