Zumba has become increasingly popular because it is one of most fun yet effective workout routines.

This Latin-inspired workout from Colombian celebrity fitness trainer Alberto "Beto" Perez is not your regular aerobics. It integrates the fun of dancing with keeping one's self fit.

In fact, WebMD describes it as an activity that "feels more like a dance party than a workout," as it entails grooving to the beat of Latin American music such as flamenco, salsa, and merengue. It is based on Beto Perez's Colombian culture during the 1990s.

Aside from the priceless enjoyment you can achieve, Zumba also has many health benefits that you should know about.

Weightloss

Ask a Zumba dancer why he or she enrolled in the program, and you will definitely get this answer: "to lose weight."

His or her faith is not misplaced in the fitness program. All Womens Talk author Corina Dondas deemed weightloss as "the most important benefits of Zumba."

"This extremely fun workout incorporates a lot of routines that will improve your cardiovascular system, which is extremely helpful in your fight to lose that unwanted weight," she wrote.

Furthermore, WebMD medical consultant Dr. Melinda Ratini believes that Zumba is a great weightloss program for those who have chronic medical conditions like diabetes.

It also burns those extra calories gained from that extra slice of cake, reduce one's blood pressure from consuming that medium rare steak and even help those who have heart ailments get back to being fit.

Body Toning

Aside from being "perfect" on the inside, many people turn to Zumba to get the toned body they have always dreamed of.

Since Zumba dancing is fun, those who practice it do not realize that they are doing specific moves that actually aim to tone their muscles, particularly in the legs, core, and the ones in your buns.

It also enhances one's flexibility, thereby extending the use of every part of the body.

Stress Relief

Like any other fun activity, Zumba can become an effective way of relieving stress, since it is fun.

In fact, Dondas testified to the stress relieving effects of this dance workout, even dubbing it to be "better than therapy."

"The upbeat moves specific to this type of workout favor the release of those mood improving endorphins, and by joining a Zumba class, you'll surely be able to feel your worries melt away as you lose yourself in the music," she wrote.

Plus, it is also a great opportunity to meet new friends.

So if you want that curvy and healthy body, but are too lazy to hit the gym, try Zumba -- you will surely get those toned muscles in no time.