Share your Zumba/Spinning success

I have two different zumba ones for the wii and I love them both. They are fun and time flies. My daughters even try to do some of it too which just makes me laugh.

Hi there.

Former Zumba/Spinning addict here.

It was a long hard road but I finally got off the wagon about 6 months ago and decided to start lifting heavy. Sometimes it's a little hard going to the gym and seeing people on their Spinning bikes. Or a girl walking into the lockers all sweaty. I think 'She probably just got out of a Zumba class'. But overall it may be hard but I'm willing to fight that battle every day.

I'm also here to help support anyone else trying to give up Zumba/Spinning. It's an uphill battle but you can do it. I'm living proof.

:flowerforyou:

Did you ever wake up in the middle of the night with the 'Zumba Sweats'? A real medical condition forcing your to either participate in spontaneous acts of Zumbaring or watch it hunched over your laptop like a dirty mind shame?

Definitely try both. They are very different, but both easily adjust to your current fitness level. I do Zumba on occassion, and get a great workout, but I LOVE spinning.

Many people are intimidated by spin classes, but I'll let you in on a secret....85% of the people in there were just like you in the beginning. The nice thing about it is that you can adjust the workout to your needs, and you won't be alone in that. Very few people walk into a spin class the first time and find it easy. I believe it took me about 5 classes to get the hang of where the tension needed to be for me to stand, and another 2-3 classes to be able to stand for a full minute. I thought my pride would have a hars time with it, but many of the other participants chimed in with similar stories.

I've come from overweight newbie to instructor to road rider, here are my tips for getting started...

Go early for your first class to get fitted to the bike, and learn the basic positions and how to adjust the tension and use the brake. Your pelvic bones will hurt after even with proper fit, but this goes away after a few classes. The other thing to realize is that the instructors job is to lead the class. They teach to the mid-line, but you can make the workout as difficult or easy as you need to. For the first few classes are more about form and learning the bike. Don't expect to be an expert. If there is something you can't do, modify it, don't give up. For example, if they are doing a standing sprint (and like me when I started), you can't do that, do it seated. If a segment is too intense, back it off for 30s, catch your breath then join back in. You'll learn your limits and then you can challenge yourself to push past your comfort zone.

Don't think of spin class as too hard. The great thing about it is you can adjust your tension and slow down if you need to. It is the best cardio burner at the gym! Definitely more than Zumba. You will be drenched in sweat afterwards. Zumba is a little lighter cardio and fun if you like dancing. It depends on your workout goals.

I LOVE Zumba! There are days when I just don't feel like working out and that's when I pop in my Zumba dvd. It's a great workout but I don't feel like I'm working out. I feel like I'm in a dance class.

Just received my one-year anniversery e-mail from my spin studio. My instructor just banned me from attending classes more than 4x a week - she says I have to cross train.

I found the dance moves in Zumba to be too complicated, but I love spin. Before I started spinning, I could barely run 2 miles. Now I can run 10 miles - yes, 10 miles - all thanks to spin.

I find spin class to be my moving meditation - I shut my eyes, go with the music, and sweat everything out. I'm invincible in spin class.

Good luck, either way!

I absolutely am addicted to Zumba. Just like with Spinning you can make the class as hard or as easy as you want. Once you get the moves down, you can adjust your workout to how hard you want to go. I have lost 80lbs doing Zumba, Elliptical, lifting and watching my diet. Was one of the easiest things I have ever done. I just wish I had started sooner.

I am now going for my Zumba instructor certification. Who knew that would happen 80lbs ago!

I started spinning when I got injured on a marathon and it has been a huge part of my success on here. My legs are rock solid, its great for abs and if you get a good instructor -its an awesome class!!

zumba makes me really happy. i feel free and like i really accomplished something! if you like to dance even a little in your room by yourself, do it.

Hi there.

Former Zumba/Spinning addict here.

It was a long hard road but I finally got off the wagon about 6 months ago and decided to start lifting heavy. Sometimes it's a little hard going to the gym and seeing people on their Spinning bikes. Or a girl walking into the lockers all sweaty. I think 'She probably just got out of a Zumba class'. But overall it may be hard but I'm willing to fight that battle every day.

I'm also here to help support anyone else trying to give up Zumba/Spinning. It's an uphill battle but you can do it. I'm living proof.

:flowerforyou:

HAHAHA You amuse me, so much I do lift heavy but I can't give up my Zumba. Even got certified this past weekend. I wont give up my Zumba, but will use my weight abilities to teach Toning and Sentao maybe in a year or two

Edited: Success story as requested. Almost 72 lbs lost, I do a lot of cross training but I'd say 1/2 of my weight loss is zumba or zumba toning class. I do hike, occasionally spin, run (first 1/2 this past Jan) I do 3-4 days a week with either power class, core class and/or zumba toning.

I have done spinning before and it's just about killed my legs each time, which is wonderful! But I just did my first Zumba class tonight and loved it!! I sweat buckets, but didn't feel like I was working out... that is until I sat down and started to feel it in my legs and abs! I say try both!

HAHAHA You amuse me, so much I do lift heavy but I can't give up my Zumba. Even got certified this past weekend. I wont give up my Zumba, but will use my weight abilities to teach Toning and Sentao maybe in a year or two

Edited: Success story as requested. Almost 72 lbs lost, I do a lot of cross training but I'd say 1/2 of my weight loss is zumba or zumba toning class. I do hike, occasionally spin, run (first 1/2 this past Jan) I do 3-4 days a week with either power class, core class and/or zumba toning.

Yay that you got licensed! Did you opt to join ZIN as well? I'm getting my toning and aqua license at convention this summer, but I won't do Sentao because I can't even look at it without thinking Jennifer Beals and Flashdance. :P Way to join the party, good for you!

Both for sure! They are both great workouts, and so fun!!