Zumba Skeptic

Ok, that video is a hot mess. Hahaha...If you use the DVDs or have an excellent instructor Zumba is a fabulous workout and lots of fun. Calorie burn obviously is going to vary from person to person, depending on weight, height, intensity, etc...

Zumba has been great for my obliques and waist. I love it.

I was a proud member of the skinny fat brigade for years, as long as I looked good in my clothes exercise wasn't an option. Joining MFP has changed that. I think zumba works for those of us that aren't naturally athletic , I look / feel like an awkward giraffe when I run, can't punch/ kickbox/ spin/ taebo to save my life :sad: but zumba I CAN do (with a lot of practice and persistence!) and I feel wonderful, alive and sexy while I'm doing it!

My sister bought me the zumba dvd set and now I'm addicted, I work out in the privacy of my home (mainly weights, stability ball and now zumba) It's given me confidence, I give my workout all that I've got and for the first time in my life I'm sweating from physical exertion (grew up being told that ladies don't sweat they glow and don't run but sashay!!) Zumba has done amazing things to my figure as well, it's given my waist definition. Also my husband has taken to sneaking in to watch.:blushing:

Do what makes you happy, I really wish I was a bad a** but I'm not, I imagine if I were I'd pobably look at zumba the way you do.

Do people really use the word "spastic" like that still? Sigh.

This.

I love Zumba! And I think to get the real atmosphere and feel you'd need to go to a class.

What's so great about it is that you don't even realise you're working out because you're having too much fan.

Give it a go before canning it

The instructor, music and environment all make a huge difference. I've gone to quite a few classes and while most have been fairly enjoyable, my favourite instructor is so passionate about her routines and music it's just infectious, and we all have an absolute blast!

^ This! Every instructor has freedom to what they want; they can pick their own music and own moves, so some instructors I love, some are eh. I am a Zumba fanatic and actually can teach it too (though I haven't yet). To me, it doesn't feel like exercise so I just love doing it. It goes by so fast and I love getting better at dancing! But it is basically only cardio so that is something to keep in mind. Another thing I really like is that it is very welcoming, you do not have to be a good dancer to get a good workout and have fun at a Zumba class.

I do Zumba because to me it's fun and burns calories. I started because of a bad right ankle. Aside from lifting weights 2-3x a week, I also walk, jog, swim, ride an exercise bike, and do RIPPED classes for my cardio. I used to jog 4-5x a week but because of my bad ankle, I can't jog as much, and only jog 2x a week now. Zumba is easy on my bad ankle and going by my Polar HRM, I average anywhere from 800-1200 calories per hour. Yes, I look like a spaz and it probably doesn't help being a 6'3, 300+ lb man in a class of 20-30 females. Do people point, stare, and laugh? Yes, I've noticed, but I don't care.

Good for you! I have a few videos at home but I am so nervous about going to the classes.. I guess it's time to sign up.. I'm just afraid I'll end up looking like I'm trying to play twister instead of Zumba. lol I have a polar Hrm as well and *hopefully* I'll see similar numbers Keep doing what you love

You're watching the wrong people doing Zumba. Look at the originals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AXidatDerg
This is the dvd I do this week, so much fun. And yes, you NEED the music

Do people really use the word "spastic" like that still? Sigh.

This.

And from me. We'll assume that you are from the US where I understand calling someone 'spastic' to be acceptable, but it isn't in the UK and I don't expect you will get many comments regarding Zumba from here. Most people in the UK won't have got past your wording to understand the point of the post.

Sorry, what was your point again? That you don't like Zumba?

Zumba classes vary by gym and instructor. In my gym we have two very energetic instructors. The more senior one has instructors from other gyms attend her class, usually lasts an hour and a half and is VERY energetic.

There is a wide mix of abilities in the classes I've attended, as it takes awhile. I've been taking Zumba for a few months, have the shoes and the shirt but still get lost sometimes.

Here's my blog post on Zumba:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/JanieJack/view/why-i-don-t-mind-being-the-fatty-in-zumba-450452

Okay sorry for offending any of you or MANY of you I should say, but I only post this question so someone can correct me cause I'm sure you are not all into what looks to me like glorified aerobics.

I've seen good latin dancing, and good aerobics classes but this looks like neither and this was the 3rd video I found. So please show me some good video of this thing you are all loving so much? Otherwise I can only think that the appeal is that it's done to very very good music? Played it without sound so I don't know that's all I can think, it just looks odd.

I don't want to look like this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5ksfpQSrg0

Funny how the one person who "should" have rythm is the only one who doesn't?


IDK. It just does NOT look like something I want to be doing. (only interested because it seems to burn lots of cals. and lot's of my "friends" list do it and they don't seem like spaz's?)

It depends on the instructor. Most classes are about 70% latin and the rest is up to the instructor. (there are so many types of latin dance...so many different cultural influences) I lost 49lbs AND toned up while doing Zumba three times per week two years ago. With that being said, I put my all into it and definitely felt the burn. There were body resistance moves thrown in along with great core building moves. A good instructor knows how to build the intensity and then bring you back to cool down properly, so you get maximum burn. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Also...you are with a bunch of your friends..great music....leaving it all out on the floor. Some of my good friends who are also instructors are from Panama...and trust me...the latin influence is there. It's all about proper technique. There is also Zumba toning which incorporate toning sticks of various weights. If an individual isn't getting anything out of their Zumba class....they either aren't doing it properly or they aren't putting anything into it. Zumba may not be for everyone...but it sure gave me some awesome results!