Zumba or not to Zumba.. that is the question...

BeautyMaven13

I'm brand spanking new to MFP and I recently borrowed Zumba from a friend ( which she never used). What does everyone think about out it ? Have you tried it? Did you see results? I figure I start slow since I'm in no shape to try insanity or p90x ( I would drop dead). Thanks guys !!:flowerforyou:

celtbell3

I LOVE ZUMBA! Been doing it for three years, along with everything else. It's a great way to have fun while working out. You can go at your own pace and work up! Everyone who tries zumba loves it!

Hollyhobby22

i just started it and i love it. i don't feel like i am grinding through a workout i don't want to do i get up wanting to work out.

melindasuefritz

never done it but would love to

FlamencoGal

Love Zumba!!!!! It is more fun in a class, but at home will work for you, too!!!

Time2Commit

I didn't like zumba because I am very uncoordinated and clumsy. I couldn't follow or remember any of the moves and wasn't getting a workout because of it. If you are dancier, it is definitely for you. If you are like me and trip over your 2 feet all the time, you could try turbo jam. It is more cardio with punches, very very easy dance moves and both high and low impact moves as well. It's a lot more easier to follow if you have 2 left feet lol.

ctinawilson

Zumba is incredible if you find the right teacher... I was completely against it (not a fan of 'expressing myself' in public), and got dragged along kicking and screaming (quietly as not to express myself too publicly) to a class with a friend. Well, all I can say is thanks goodness someone made me do it. It is the most fun you can have with your clothes on! If the teacher has personality, and knows how to teach, i.e. to a complete novice, making sure you can follow the steps and not going overboard too quickly, then it is such a great workout and so enjoyable.

The more you go, the better you know the moves, and therefore the better the workout. I can absolutely say I have the best fun at Zumba - I now go around 3 times a week and am planning to buy the DVDs...

And yes, I'm still against being outwardly expressive, but I stand at the back and flail about like a complete idiot, putting my entire body into every move, and its actually not that embarrassing, when you know everyone else is doing the same

I would certainly recommend getting to a class, the live element gives you more of a buzz.

I tend to burn around 500-600 calories per class, and I would say they are 'Moderate' to 'Intense'.

Have fun!

BeautyMaven13

Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions. I will also look into turbo jam. Thanks guys and good luck ! :happy:

Lyerin

I love Zumba. I grin like a crazy person the whole time I'm doing it because it is so much fun. The instructor definitely makes a difference. Now that I know who my "favorites" are at my gym, I go regularly 3 x a week. I have a great time dancing, and I am drenched in sweat by the end of the workout.

mrdexter1

zumba !

Didnt realise i d done it but it but then i dare say 4 hours on a dance and trance club dance floor is more than most of you "zumba" converts ever do !!!

They ll be calling line dancing "Tumba" next !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Delicate

Try it, then if you like it keep it up, if you dont, find something else.

I used to love zumba but it came head to head with my thai boxing, and thai boxing won

NoelleS85

I think it is one of those things you have to try to see if you love it (with anything else I guess). It is not for everyone. I, for example, dislike it. I am not a fan of "workouts" that don't get my heart rate up high enough. It is too "soft" for me, it gets boring - but on the other hand I understand when people hate the bootcamp-style workouts that I love. Try it and see if it is for you

waford

You just can's beat it for cardio. I attend a class faithfully 2X per week. The key is having a great instructor who will make the class fun!. Keep searching until you find the right one for you, then you will grow to not wanting to miss it.

JenMc14

I've never done Zumba, but I've taken a Hip Hop cardio class and loved it. If you like it and will do it consistently, I think it's great. I'm a firm believer in finding an exercise you love and doing it, especially when just starting out. Once you build a fitness base, you can try other, more challenging things if you want.

amann1976

to quote my boot camp instructor " if you want easy then go take zumba"

Lyerin

I think it is one of those things you have to try to see if you love it (with anything else I guess). It is not for everyone. I, for example, dislike it. I am not a fan of "workouts" that don't get my heart rate up high enough. It is too "soft" for me, it gets boring - but on the other hand I understand when people hate the bootcamp-style workouts that I love. Try it and see if it is for you

Definitely true that you need to find what works for you. I find that Zumba gets my heart rate up nicely. However, I also do a bootcamp workout 4 x a week and love that too. As with anything, your mileage may vary.

jweluv

I tried Zumba and was unable to keep up, at the same time as long as your moving it shouldn't matter if you are doing it perfect. I will say I just prefer Walk Away the Pounds or something similar right now. I will try my Zumba again after I lose another 30 lbs or so and hope that I can stick with it then.

nilbogger

I enjoy it despite being a pretty awkward human being.

chanel1twenty

I'm brand spanking new to MFP and I recently borrowed Zumba from a friend ( which she never used). What does everyone think about out it ? Have you tried it? Did you see results? I figure I start slow since I'm in no shape to try insanity or p90x ( I would drop dead). Thanks guys !!:flowerforyou:

ZUMBA is always the answer!! I do it a minimum of 4 days per week, and doing only that and a reduced calorie diet lost me 12lbs in May.

One hour of good-effort-given Zumba burns 750-1,000calories. Not to mention it's an absolute blast and you don't realize you're exercising despite how sweaty you get, lol.

I'm working to become a certified trainer of Zumba, so of course I encourage it! I notice I have more stamina, definition, strength, and confidence (esp on the dance floor!)

chanel1twenty

to quote my boot camp instructor " if you want easy then go take zumba"

This is pretty ignorant, in my opinion. Obviously it's not going to compare to a boot camp, but most people don't realize that there is more than one type of Zumba. One specifically for older people, one in the water, one done completely sitting in a chair, the regular one people think of, and Zumba Tone (HARD).

It's dance, just remember that. It burns tons of calories and makes you sweat your face off. If you like workouts that don't feel like workouts, do it. It's the first thing I've ever found that I've stuck with. Love it love it.
Ever see the body of a dancer? ;p

LaurenAOK

I've gone to a few Zumba classes and I also own the Zumba game for Wii. I love it! I think it's something people of any fitness level can do, because you can go as fast or as slow as you'd like. It's just about letting loose, dancing, and having fun!

Also, it burns calories, and ANYTHING that burns calories helps you lose weight. Good luck!

Cajoke123

I've done zumba for a few years now with a great teacher, and I love it!! I also have the xbox zumba, and that's good too, but not quite as fun. I would highly suggest zumba!

dkgoetz

I love zumba - I've done it in a class and I've done the zumba game for PS3 and Wii. The class was a ton of fun! I love doing zumba at home because if I don't catch the steps, no one cares/notices (not like they did in the class either, everyone was also trying to keep up :] ) but I also find you don't have to do it RIGHT to enjoy it or get the workout in - as long as you're moving, you're burning! The music is catchy and fun and keeps me motivated - plus I get the songs stuck in my head and can't wait to dance to them again!

skinnydreams1997

is there any good zumba workouts that anyone has tried? I have been thinking about giving it a try for a while.

mariliak

for sure ZUMBA . I love dancing and still zumba always gives me the same excitment . I always wait for my zumba class like a child is waiting for christmas . I go 4 times a week , maybe 5 if I have more time . The dvds are alright but like all dvds its very easy to get bored cause its everytime the same routines and songs . In a zumba class u have an instructor new choreographies and new music everytime , plus u get to see how sexy u have become through the mirror . I also go to zumbathons and zumba events every weekend and I plan to become an instructor . I f u want my opinion zumba for me is the only exercise that is seriously fun . It feels like a latin party not like u are at a gym exxercising . But i would never suggest it for someone who cant follow moves . And like all exercises if u do it with intensity u burn a lot , if not u burn zero . so give it a try and i f u love it go to a live class with other people around . Its fun and it makes u look hot what else do u need ?

mlogantra76

I love Zumba, I started January 2nd with 25+lbs to lose and Zumba was all I did for the month of January and February! And, that with mfp, allowed me to lose weight well during that period. I then joined a gym and continue to do Zumba(I think it is the most fun) but I also supplement with classes with a higher intensity and that have interval training. I would definitely recommend it to someone who was just starting out and see if they like it. Its funny, most of the people I Zumba with, don't do the other high intensity classes and vice versa. I like the best of both worlds. i do get my heart rate up with Zumba and I do sweat. I also jump around like a crazy person on purpose to be sure i'm getting a good workout:)

mellowkate

I can't stress enough how much I love Zumba. It is not an exaggeration to say that it changed my life. I've always hated running (and exercise, in general) but my friend wouldn't shut up about Zumba classes. I went to one when I started trying to kickstart my weight loss, and I got hooked. When I'm on a treadmill, I find myself watching the seconds as they progress, but in Zumba class, an hour flies by without me even noticing - you just have so much fun!

As far as doing it in public, I've never minded going to classes. Although at first, I'll admit, I did try to find a spot that wasn't facing a mirror because I didn't want to see what I looked like. But then I saw that everyone else probably looked about as foolish as I did, but no one cared because we were all moving and sweating and having fun.

That said, if you are a little self-conscious (especially starting out), there are plenty of instructors who have put their classes up on YouTube - you should check those out.

mkakids

I love zumba! I prefer the classes to the dvds. Its a great cardio workout...I average between 500 and 800 cals per hour (depends on the instructor) per my polar hrm with chest strap.

mkakids

to quote my boot camp instructor " if you want easy then go take zumba"

Have you ever tried it? I burn more calories per hour at zumba then I do jogging on the treadmill. I use a polar hrm with chest strap to guage calories burned. Its not a lifting or "toning" class, so you still need to lift weights or do some body weight strength training, but as far as cardio workouts go, its hard to beat for calorie burn!

Panna9406

Zumba is ideal to get in shape, it's so much fun, perfect to get used to working out:). I started with zumba, but after a while I switched to something more intense.
My advice to you: definitely try it;) and you'll fall in love with it

aerochic42

i have done the XBOX 360 zumba rush and have had fun. if you feel completely lost, just focus on the arms or the feet or just march in place until you can catch up again. As it is normal ot feely goofy and awkward, i would recommend trying it a couple of times before actually deciding whether or not you like it.