Is Zumba 4 to 5 days a week enough?

cashidy

I do Zumba 3 to 5 days a week. I also usually do one core class and 2 yoga classes depending. Is this enough to tone myself and gain muscle/at least keep weight off?

I also usually run once a day for 20 minutes, sometimes I hula hoop, sometimes I swim.

annacole94

Keeping weight off will be a function of how many calories you eat.

From a health perspective, yes, you're doing pretty good. You could probably stand some more strength training. Subbing in 2-3 weights sessions (just 20 min) for some of the stuff you're doing would do it.

SuzySunshine99

That's all great exercise, but to really gain muscle, you'll need to add in some strength training with weights.
As far as keeping the weight off, that all depends on how many calories you are eating vs. how many you are burning.

bizgirl26

Zumba wont help you gain muscle . It seems you are missing an important component of strength training in your regimen. I would incorporate a weight lifting routine.

kenyonhaff

Well what are your goals?

For a lot of people this would be ideal (and for a lot of people, quite a tough goal to achieve).

I think if you are looking to have a certain "look" you may have to engage in the program that yields that result. If you're looking to look like a lean dancer, for instance, you go with Pilates, dance, and yoga. Female ballet dancers don't do much time doing weights, for example.

On the other hand, you may be going for a certain result. A person going for a personal best for a half marathon is going to do a lot of cardio, and not a lot of upper body work. Professional marathoners aren't going for aesthetics.

There are programs that are geared for a certain result. A good personal trainer can do the same.

TavistockToad

cashidy wrote: »

I do Zumba 3 to 5 days a week. I also usually do one core class and 2 yoga classes depending. Is this enough to tone myself and gain muscle/at least keep weight off?

I also usually run once a day for 20 minutes, sometimes I hula hoop, sometimes I swim.

No You won't gain muscle doing Zumba.

To lose weight you need a calorie deficit

cashidy

I want to be leaner, but have so much trouble with lifting weights and eating healthy. When I exercise I get super hungry and overeat

TavistockToad

cashidy wrote: »

I want to be leaner, but have so much trouble with lifting weights and eating healthy. When I exercise I get super hungry and overeat

So start with the calorie deficit and add in exercise after that?

You may need to look at the quality of your calories to stop you feeling hungry.

kenyonhaff

TavistockToad wrote: »

cashidy wrote: »

I do Zumba 3 to 5 days a week. I also usually do one core class and 2 yoga classes depending. Is this enough to tone myself and gain muscle/at least keep weight off?

I also usually run once a day for 20 minutes, sometimes I hula hoop, sometimes I swim.

No You won't gain muscle doing Zumba.

To lose weight you need a calorie deficit

No, will will gain muscle and tone with Zumba. You can with yoga and walking, too. Certainly not to the extent of other workouts, of course. Any weight-bearing exercise (which is pretty much everything), will leave you more muscled and toned than not doing it.

Angela_does_zumba

Hello! I'm a zumba instructor. Yes, zumba is quite a bit of cardio, but depending on the teacher and their routines, zumba can help you tone up (mainly in the core if you really place that energy there). If you take other zumba formats like zumba toning for instance, you could benefit more with strength. Not trying to sound bias on my part at all, but this is just from experience and "the science" behind zumba. lol!

However, zumba is not going to challenge the muscles as much as weight lifting, pilates, etc. It will take a while for you to find the workout program that feels right for your body. If weightlifting isn't your thing, maybe look for another program. If you're saying you're having trouble with weightlifting in terms of consistency and/or form (or whatever else) find a friend (or better, a trainer) that could help guide you.

Back to your initial question, your regimen sounds good! The fact that you're physically active and putting in work will bring changes to your body no matter. Just remember to always keep challenging yourself. That's how you will see results.

irma0502

I have been doing Zumba 3× a week and blogilates 3× a week for a month. Have lost 2 kgs and my muscles are better toned. I also find it easier to do push ups now. But I guess I will have to move on to weight training for increased bone density.