Try it out at REHAB: Inclusive Zumba training for the first time
Exercise is essential for everyone - whether with or without a disability. Conny Runge from Publicare emphasises this. The sports enthusiast and wheelchair user have one goal: to make Zumba better known as an inclusive and functional upper body workout for everyone.
“The human body simply works better when it is regularly in motion,” explains Conny Runge. As one of only two licensed inclusive Zumba instructors in Germany, she has developed a programme that is specially tailored to the needs of sedentary people - whether they use a wheelchair, rollator, stool or desk.
Exercise for everyone - participation made easy
Zumba is not just a form of dance, but a complete upper body workout. It not only promotes physical health, but also brings joy and energy into everyday life. Conny is convinced: “With my inclusive training, I motivate many people to take up sport in the first place.”
Conny Runge is actively committed to getting people with disabilities interested in sport. Photo: ©connyrungezumba
Conny will be presenting her inclusive Zumba programme at the REHAB 2025. Photo: ©connyrungezumba
Zumba - more than just dance
“Anyone who can sit is invited to join in,” says Conny. Her inclusive Zumba training combines dance, music and power training, is fun and helps people - not just wheelchair users - with shoulder problems to strengthen and mobilise their upper body.
Conny knows from her own experience how important exercise is: “Sitting a lot is not healthy. My Zumba training helps to boost the metabolism, including digestion, strengthen the shoulder and back muscles and thus prevent back problems.” A strong upper body is essential for people in wheelchairs, as shoulders are often overloaded as the “motor and drive” for daily locomotion.
Together against prejudice
Conny is actively committed to getting people with disabilities interested in sport. “I want to show that sport and exercise are possible and important for everyone.” Always on the lookout for further allies in physiotherapy and sports therapy in clinics, special and rehabilitation centres, she uses her numerous appearances at events to present her training.
In 2025, for example, she will be presenting her inclusive Zumba programme at the annual conference of the upcoming DMGP (German-speaking Medical Society for Paraplegiology) in Heidelberg in May and at the REHAB - 23rd European Trade Fair for Rehabilitation, Therapy, Care and Inclusion in Karlsruhe. A tour of Germany is then planned.
Join in online - it's easy
To make it easier for anyone interested to get started, Conny also offers her classes online via her connyrungezumba channels on Facebook and Instagram. This means you can try Zumba free of charge and from the comfort of your own home and discover how much fun exercise can be. “And maybe it will become more...” hopes Conny Runge.
Join in - for more exercise, community and joie de vivre
Zumba training is more than just dance, it is a step towards better health, exercise in the community and joie de vivre.
Conny Runge has a dream: “I would be delighted if the German Wheelchair Sports Association (Deutscher Rollstuhl-Sportverband e. V.) would list Zumba as an inclusive popular sport. This would give many more people the opportunity to practise another sport in their neighbourhood.”
We look forward to seeing Conny Runge when she presents her Zumba programme at REHAB as an inclusive sports offer at the Inclusive sports complex in the dm-arena.
Be sure to take part:
At the Inclusive sports complex, interested people with and without disabilities have the opportunity to get to know and try out inclusive sports. The Inclusive sports complex provides the ideal setting for associations and their members to exchange ideas. A daily programme at the Inclusive sports complex offers something for everyone who is interested in a new or additional sport! Conny Runge shows Zumba as an inclusive sports programme at the Inclusive Sports complex, which is supported this year by the bronze sponsor “Sparkasse Karlsruhe”.
At the inclusive sports complex, interested people with and without disabilities have the opportunity to get to know and try out inclusive sports. Photo: Behrendt und Rausch / Messe Karlsruhe