Zumba

As a newly certified Zumba instructor I am a bit partial to the class and the benefits that Zumba provides. I have lost so far 110lbs through Zumba and have about 50lbs more to go. I became certified because I had an amazing instructor that inspired me and encouraged me to push it, so I in turn want to inspire others as well.

I bought a HRM to see exactly how many calories I am burning in my classes and I average about 778 to 850 calories in one hour based on how intense my classes are for that day. I leave my classes completely drenched and feeling amazing. Mind you I am still over 200lbs. But it isn't the size that matters it is the effort you put in that burns the calories.

I would say if your not sweating when you leave then the instructor is not doing their job! It is a proven fact that the class only gives about 50% of the effort the instructor puts into the workout. So as an intructor you have to be passionate and super energetic so your class picks up on that and gets a great workout.

Hope this helped!

during a 50 minute class, i usually burn at least 600 calories according to my HRM when i wear it. I am drenched in sweat by the time i'm done too, so yours sounds like a less effective class. It also depends on the person, some people get really low burns, and apparently mine are higher.

Adding my agreement- my HRM puts me at 480-600/hr, and that all depends on the class, instructor, songs, and how much I give it. If I know the songs/routines more, I can focus on really pushing it- jumping instead of tapping, fully incorporating arms, etc.

Finding a style/instructor that works for you is key, too. When I first started taking live classes, they were only okay. 400-450/cals, didn't love the choreography, not really high-energy. Found some different classes that I really like, and I burn 100+ more cals each time. I only go once a week, but know there's classes other days I'm itching to get to!

I bought a HRM because it seems like MFP has a really high estimation of calories burned. I really do think it depends on your instructor and how much you put into it. My instructor now does A LOT of jumping around and when I can keep up I burn more calories. Some days I have to do a modification where I mimic the steps but not jump so much since it hurts my feet. Some instructors pay more attention to teaching dance moves slowly and that just doesn't feel like a cardio workout.

As a Zumba instructor I can tell you the over 500 kcal burning is guaranteed for participants. If you are not soaking wet by the end of the session please run away. The instructor which doesn't make you sweat is not a good instructor. Go and find a good one.

But I agree that no result if you do not give everything into it and also you have to know the routine to be able to give the maximum into the movement.!

Good luck!

I weigh 120 pounds ( give or take 5 depending on the time of month) MFP counts 478 calories for an hour of Zumba for me.
I love our instructor at the gym. She really enjoys teaching the class which makes it more fun.