Zumba Launches Great Calorie Drive

Zumba Fitness announced the launch of “The Great Calorie Drive” this week, with the initiative’s directive “Don’t just burn calories, donate them” aiming to encourage people to help fight one of the world’s greatest health risks: hunger.

Since its inception in 2001, Zumba Fitness has been used by millions of people around the world, and is now working together with United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the largest humanitarian organisation fighting hunger. 

With hunger affecting one in eight people worldwide – more than 870 million – Zumba is urging everyone to “Give the world a reason to dance” by attending Zumba classes and donating the calories burned to WFP.

‘Hunger is one of the world’s greatest solvable problems,’ said Alberto Perlman, co-founder and CEO of Zumba Fitness. ‘While many fight to burn calories, others suffer from hunger. The Zumba network is in a unique position to tip the scales in the right direction, and we expect to touch millions of lives.’

From April to June 2013, participants are encouraged to shake off their calories in Zumba classes worldwide, and Zumba will donate the equivalent of the average amount of calories burned per class (750 calories, for up to three classes) to WFP. 

During the three-month campaign, Zumba Fitness is challenging the world to donate 2.6 billion calories that will equate to 3.5 million meals (based on the typical meal size) toward hunger-relief efforts. 

To take part:

• Download the Zumba Fitness Mobile App on smartphones (iOS and Android-friendly; free of charge from the App Store™ or Google Play)
• Check in to the nearest Zumba class (once downloaded, the app will direct consumers to the nearest Zumba class)
• Shake and dance in Zumba class and burn 750 calories
• Calories automatically will be donated to WFP by Zumba Fitness

Supporters of the dance-fitness workout include Olympic medalist Louis Smith MBE and singer Jade Ewen. 

Smith said of the initiative: ‘I’m proud to be supporting the launch of The Great Calorie Drive with Zumba Fitness. Hunger is still a big issue – not only on a global level – but also in our own country. I love the unique idea of donating your calories through dance and that’s just what Zumba Fitness is doing.  Over the next three months they are donating the equivalent of 3.5 million meals to the World Food Programme, which will make a huge difference.’

Ewen added: ‘This campaign really does give the world a reason to dance! I can’t wait to hit the dance floor with Louis and shake and shimmy off 750 calories for The Great Calorie Drive. Zumba classes are such a fun way to keep fit with friends, it feels like exercise in disguise. It’s such a simple idea but if enough people check into their local Zumba class, it can make a real difference to so many people.’