Rachel Evans
Born and bred in Norwich I’m now in my 50’s and have three amazing grown up children. Through my passion for Zumba I have never felt fitter or happier in my own skin. I have been crazy about group fitness classes ever since I started out as a student 30 years ago. I went from Front Row Diva to a qualified fitness instructor at the age of 40, it’s definitely a case of if you believe it, you can achieve it.
Zumba is an such an amazing format as classes have a party style atmosphere which allows participants the freedom to let go and really enjoy ‘exercise in disguise’. Even though Zumba is so much fun make no mistake Zumba is also great for fitness. We truly work out in class and before you know it the hour has just flown by. You will leave class sweaty, happy, confident and best of all on an endorphin fuelled feel good High!
Come to a Zumba class with Team Rachel and give yourself one hour off from the stresses and worries of every day life. Make new friends, dance to uplifting music and all this whilst improving your fitness level. Now what more could you possibly want from an exercise class?
What is Zumba
Zumba was created 20 years ago in Columbia by choreographer Beto Perez. Legend has it that Beto turned up to teach a fitness class one day, forgetting his music and in a panic he grabbed a Latin cassette from his car and improvised throughout the class. People loved that session so much that he decided to create a fitness class that incorporated latin rhythms such as salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggaeton alongside pop and other world music. Et voilá Zumba was born.
I love the Latin rhythms but you will also find many styles of music on my playlists from Bhangra to Beyoncé and soca to Stevie Wonder, pretty much anything goes as long as it motivates us to rock out and burn those calories!
My Zumba Philosophy
I believe everyone can Zumba. Classes are all about having fun, enjoying great music and moving your body. There are no right or wrong steps in any Zumba class, as long as you’re dancing and having a good time you will get fitter.
My personality is effervescent and I always lead with energy and encouragement. There is absolutely no need to be nervous when walking into any of my classes for the first time. My students are incredibly welcoming and friendly so in no time at all you’ll have a room full of new Zumba friends!
Exercise really doesn’t have to be a chore. Try classes with Team Rachel and before long you will feel fitter, happier and you may even become a Zumba addict!
Zumba Gold
Perfect For
Active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity.
Also suitable for beginners, those returning to exercise or starting out in their journey to fitness. Plus those recovering from illness or injury (with medical consent). Gold is suitable for EVERYONE!
How It Works
The design of the class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba Gold choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to party everyone is welcome!
Benefits
There are so many benefits to joining a Zumba Gold class:
Improved muscular strength and endurance.
Improved cardiovascular system.
Improved range of motion.
Improved posture.
Reduces depression, stress and anxiety.
Opportunity to meet new people.
Enhanced quality of life.
Zumba Gold Toning
Perfect For
Tailored for active older adults who want to focus on muscle conditioning and light weight activity.
How It Works
Zumba Gold Toning blends the Zumba party you love at a slower pace with a redefining total body workout using Zumba Toning Sticks to shake up those muscles!
Benefits
Low to moderate intensity strength training exercises are essential to prevent a dramatic reduction in muscle mass, muscle strength, atrophy and sarcopenia (loss of skeletal muscle mass). Walk in ready to have a blast and tone up, leave exhilarated and empowered!
Zumba Fitness
Everybody and every body! Each Zumba class is designed to bring people in a fun party like atmosphere.
How It Works
We take the “work” out of workout, by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. Once the Latin, World rhythms and pop tunes take over, you’ll see why Zumba Fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise. Super effective? Check. Super fun? Check and check.
Benefits
A total workout, combining all elements of fitness – cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility, boosted energy and a serious dose of awesome each time you leave class.
Awards and Achievements
2011 Zumba Instructor Training
2012 level 2 Exercise to Music (ETM)
2016 South Norfolk Council’s Charity Fundraiser of the Year.
2016 The Zumba Love Award
I was asked to fly out to Zincon (Zumba Instructor Convention) in Orlando where I was presented with the Award by the CEO of Zumba Alberto Perlman in front of 7000 instructors. The Award was given for charity fundraising and breast cancer awareness flash mobs.
2017 Zumba Gold Breast Cancer Awareness Flash Mob
I choreographed a powerful song for this flash mob and several hundred instructors from all over the world joined in this ‘flash’.
2018 Presenter at Zincon, Orlando
In April 2018 I was FaceTimed by the creator of the Zumba Gold programme, Joy Prouty. She offered me the opportunity of a lifetime to create and deliver a brand new session at Zumba Convention in Orlando in the July. I worked for 3 months in secret and I delivered the first ever Zumba Gold Jam Session to 120 Zumba instructors from all over the globe!
2020 Norfolk Day Hero Award
I was honoured to have been nominated by a student for this award. During the lockdowns I ran a comprehensive programme of Zoom Zumba classes to keep Team Rachel healthy, active and connected.
2021 Muddy Stilettos Award
Best Fitness Instructor Norfolk
2021 National Community Fitness Awards
Fitness Instructor East (including London)
This was a huge honour voted for partly by the public 20% and 80% by eminent judges from the wider fitness community.
TO BE CONTINUED ………
