I recently was introduced to Zumba by OESHer, Ann Mangino, a Zumba expert and enthusiast who does Zumba as her go-to everyday workout.
Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance fitness program created by dancer Alberto Perez in Colombia during the 1990s who took it to the United States in the 2000’s where it has become very popular just these last two years. It involves dance and aerobic elements. Unlike a typical dance class where counts are used, Zumba involves following the music with repetitive movements. Zumba’s choreography incorporates hip-hop, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, martial arts, and some belly dance moves.
Ann wanted to share her personal experience with wearing OESH.
___________________________________________________________
OESH: The Best Zumba Shoe
by Ann Mangino
I’ve been going to Zumba since the craze began, having had six different instructors with all different styles. But the one thing that is consistent since owning my OESH shoes for the last six months is that now I don’t have feet pain. I’ve had severe plantar fasciitis in both heels and knee pain for nine years. But with OESH, not only can I do Zumba, I can do it ‘con todo mi cuerpo’ and have lost 32 pounds since wearing them. In class, everyone asks where I got my Zumba shoes because my OESH (I have the Black Classics) look similar to the shoes that our instructors wear. They enhance my Salsa steps… they give me a little spring with our bounce steps. And it’s as if they were especially made for the Merengue and Samba steps. They make me feel very secure doing the side steps whereas in my older shoes I found that movement difficult.
So if I have any advice for my fellow Zumba dancers, try OESH. You’ll love them. They’re cool for the younger dancers and a godsend for the over 40 crowd. They’re great for the beginner and lower impact dancers but even better for the advanced participants. For me, they have kept me moving, dancing, and having fun…without pain.
I’ll be a Zumba certified instructor next month and I’m recommending OESH to all my students.
___________________________________________________________
I watched videos of several Zumba styles and tried my hand at dancing along. From a biomechanical standpoint, I understand why Ann has found OESH to be the ideal shoe for Zumba. The sole compresses and releases in perfect tune with the quick foot movements from front to back and side-to-side. The absence of a cushioned impact ensures excellent feedback as to the position of the foot providing excellent foot / ankle stability. I can attest Ann’s viewpoint from both a biomechanical and physician standpoint: OESH is a stellar shoe for Zumba.
