Zumba was created in the 1990s by dancer and choreographer Beto Pérez, an aerobics instructor in Cali, Colombia.

[12][13][14][15][16] There are eleven types of classes, for different ages and levels of exertion:[17][18] Zumba is intended as a total-body cardio and aerobic workout, which provides calorie consumption.

[38] In 2007, the company launched a clothing line called Zumba Wear;[39][40] as of 2012, official apparel sales amounted to $10-million per year.

In 2010, Zumba released its first fitness video game—Zumba Fitness—on 30 November 2010 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (on Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3),[17] selling 3 million copies by August 2011.

[42] In October 2012, Zumba Fitness Core was released for the Wii and Xbox 360, including new features such as nutrition tips and the ability to set personal goals.

[43] Zumba Fitness: World Party was released on 5 November 2013, featuring a new "World Tour" mode that unlocks songs from seven global destinations as a player progresses, as well as authentic customs, local rhythms and native dance styles.

[46] In 2013, the Haredi settlement of Beitar Illit banned all-female participants or female teachers in the activity.