Zumba?

[maslex]

Just wondering if any of you go to Zumba classes? Or do you have any of their DVD's?

I've heard that these DVD's/classes are a great way to get in your exercise. I've seen a couple you tube videos of it and realized it was a lot of dance type moves. I AM NOT A DANCER IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM NOT DO I HAVE MUCH COORDINATION. So can someone who doesn't have much in the way of coordination, do this kind of stuff? Is it fun? Has any of you really lost much in weight or inches?

 

[Maridw]

I am getting ready to try this come Friday. A friend who is a dancer tried it and said that it kicked her butt.

Once I try it I will let you know. I dance, but sometimes my coordination isn't too swift. (Always have trouble with the opposition with the arms and the legs - right arm goes out when left foot goes forward etc)

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I'm not coordinated. Cheerleading was a struggle for me. I tried Zumba and had to stop because it was just too hard, not physically but because the moves were too quick and dance-like for me.

Maybe someday.

 

[marcyinPA]

I've been doing Zumba at a local gym 2x a week since January. I also sometimes squeeze in another class or two if I have time. I am NOT a dancer, never took a dance lesson, was not a cheerleader. Zumba takes some time to learn, but I LOVE IT. You can't just go once. You need to go a couple of times. Your muscles have memory, and eventually, you will pick up the steps.

The most important thing is to have fun. My instructor is awesome, and she always makes a point to tell the new people to just have fun. It doesn't matter if she goes left, and you go right. As long as you are moving and having fun. They don't call Zumba a "party" for nothing!!

And, I will attest that it IS a work out. I come home dripping wet every time. I sweat more doing Zumba than when I run. It is possible to burn upwards of 800 calories in an hour-long class.

ETA: instructors can make or break a class too. If you don't like the first one, look around for other classes. I've taken Zumba from a few different people, but there are two that I like the best, and those are the classes that I take!

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I'm a regular Zumba girl and although people will tell you "anyone can do it"...I think they are wrong.... You have to have rhythm, be coordinated and be able to dance at least a little bit. It takes going many times before you understand the steps and movements, but once you get it, it is a ton of fun.... THe first few times I went, I didn't feel like I was getting a workout at all...but its because I was concentrating so hard on the steps instead of pushing myself physically. I like the vibe of classes...so I would probably never do a video.

 

[disneydawgs4]

My DD (14) and I just started the DVD's at home this week and let me tell you, it is kicking our booty!! You definitely need rhythm and some coordination, but I do think if you keep at it, not give up and just relax and feel the music, you can get it at least well enough to get a great work out. I will say this, if you have bad knees, it is really hard due to all the bending low and twists. But, try it for a while and just have fun!

 

[ckay87]

I agree that not everyone can do it. Raising my hand here! Not only am I "not a dancer" but ....how do I explain this..... I am completely unable to "shake it." KWIM? The booty-shakin to the rhythm kind of thing? No knack for that. I can do step aerobics like a pro, so I'm not all 2 left feet, but I do lack that one little skill and Zumba is ALL about that.

Took a few classes and because I couldn't fully participate, I didn't exert myself at all. Was a real waste of time for me....so many other calorie burning exercises that are fun. You should try step, if you can. THAT kicks your butt!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I have a friend that teaches zumba in Houston. She's posted pictures on facebook. I asked her that if I moved to Houston and took her class could I look like her?? Holy crap she looks amazing.
I'm tempted to buy a DVD and try it out.

 

[jpaxton1118]

My DD (14) and I just started the DVD's at home this week and let me tell you, it is kicking our booty!! You definitely need rhythm and some coordination, but I do think if you keep at it, not give up and just relax and feel the music, you can get it at least well enough to get a great work out. I will say this, if you have bad knees, it is really hard due to all the bending low and twists. But, try it for a while and just have fun!

Where did you get the DVD? What is the name? I found one but it did not look like the type of zumba that everyone was doing.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Anybody can!!! It's a great workout and SO fun... even if you can't "shake it" or you aren't a dancer. If you are trying to do all the moves exactly right, etc., and you won't otherwise enjoy it, then it's not for you. It's okay to modify the moves, do what you can remember or get the hang of. It's okay if you kick the wrong leg or don't get the step just right. You will STILL get a good workout.

It's a fun one to go with some girlfriends - we always go and spend a good part of the class cracking up at our "attempts" to shake it! I like it.

ETA what someone said about it bothering your knees: you do have to be careful. I did it once in running shoes and it was not good - there is quite a bit of twisting and lateral motion. If possible, wear cross-training shoes (something designed for lateral movements) or do the DVD barefoot so you don't get that resistance from a running or walking shoe.

 

[tiff211]

Where did you get the DVD? What is the name? I found one but it did not look like the type of zumba that everyone was doing.

https://www.zumbafitness.com/flare/next

I think you do have to have some coordination, I danced for years, and some of the steps were tricky at 1st. Its so much fun though and you really forget you are working out. I've done the live classes and have the set of dvds

 

[ShannonRT]

I just went to my first Zumba class yesterday at the Y. Took DD14 and DH with me. We all loved it! I feel a little more coordinated than the average exerciser as I've done Jazzercise for years. DH, however, is not terribly coordinated and doesn't have much rhythm, but he still had a blast! He was such a trooper and just kept moving. And we were all drenched in sweat afterwards. I burned about 550 calories, which is around the same as Jazzercise. We'll definitely be going back.

 

[Duchie]

I bought the DVD set because it looked like fun. I'm another one with no dance experience at all, but if all those people were smiling it had to be fun, right? At first I was concentrating on learning the moves so I wasn't really getting a good workout from it. But just today I noticed that my backside was a little more sore than usual, so I think I"m finally starting to work the muscles.

It's both fun and frustrating. Then I realized that there is no way this old, fat, white woman was going to move like those young, skinny, talented girls on the DVD. I started laughing at myself and just having fun with it. I wouldn't mind finding a class nearby but the trick would be to fit it into my schedule.