Zumba or Bokwa?

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  • aas1277
    aas1277 Posts: 67
    I really enjoy both Bokwa and Zumba. They really are two completely different workouts. Zumba has much more dance incorporated into it and different steps to each song. With Bokwa each move is a letter of the alphabet so once you learn each letter they are repeated in all different sequences in the different songs. The music is high energy and fun in both classes. My Zumba instructor recently was certified in Bokwa so now she offers both. I definitely suggest trying it out. Beware your calves will be screaming the next day....but that's a good thing!!!
  • Kimbles67
    Kimbles67 Posts: 13 Member
    Once the basic format of Bokwa is done, the instructors can add flavour to it, so its to routinely following a basic set of steps. For those looking to try it for the first time, have a look on Your tube for Bokwa at FIBO in Germany a few weeks ago.
  • jillsjourney
    jillsjourney Posts: 167 Member
    bump
  • mombacita
    mombacita Posts: 1
    I have been teaching Zumba for nearly 3 years and totally agree with many that you should try some other Zumba classes before totally turning away from Zumba. Each instructor is different and brings a different energy to the class. It takes about 2 to 3 classes before you can really start catching the moves and that will also depend on the instructor. I always tell my newcomers to 1, take it at their own pace, 2 get your movements down feet first then you can add in the arms, 3 JUST HAVE FUN!!! I started out in the back row bumping into people, tripping over my feet, going right when everyone else was going left. I laughed so much at myself that I had to go back. Zumba is taught without verbally cueing so if you go to a class with that type of instructor ( some do use microphones) then you will have to get use to her non-verbal cueing signals.

    As for Bokwa, I just received my certification in March of this year and will begin my first class next week. I love Zumba but am all about being diverse in fitness. I liked Bokwa because it was so easy to move to and after a while you just move without thinking. I sweat TONS in Bokwa.

    As for injuries, I think in any fitness format you can get injured. I am AFAA certified and always give my students modification especially for those that already have prior injuries. Hope you have found your fitness love by now ;-)
  • paulineb69
    paulineb69 Posts: 1
    Im licensed in both or I was, I let my Bokwa licence lapse. Much prefer Zumba. And metafit.
  • dancer1178
    dancer1178 Posts: 50
    I would like to add that when looking for a class make sure that the instructor is licensed or certified. Others in this thread are right, there are a lot of "fakes" out there. Zumba, especially. It's such a popular workout that people like to "hop on the train without buying the ticket". A Zumba instructor should be a licensed ZIN member or at the very least an active instructor (which would be within the first year they get licensed if not a ZIN, your license lapses after the first year if you are not ZIN). If you go on Zumba.com you can research classes in your area and check out different instructors profiles. Watch what you find on youtube, a lot of it isn't up to par. Definitely try any class more than once, no one is ever comfortable the first time. Zumba is a "follow along" workout but any good instructor will try to make you feel comfortable.
  • anna_louise90
    anna_louise90 Posts: 86 Member
    I find Bokwa more boring than Zumba, you just repeatedly spell out numbers/shapes with your moves. It felt like old people dancing, whereas Zumba there is a more frequent change in whatever you are doing.
  • bridgetrounds
    bridgetrounds Posts: 1 Member
    Bokwa is BY FAR the best dance workout I've ever had. Zumba is fun, yes, but if you are more into hip hop and want a more intense workout, Bokwa is better. I agree with everyone that it depends on your instructor, if they're not all that energetic then you won't be into it.

    If you are fortunate to have a Bokwa class near you I urge everyone to try it once. I had the funnest time of my life and I wish it were offered every week night, because I'd be there dancing my butt off!
  • MoRiv1986
    MoRiv1986 Posts: 379 Member
    Bump for Bokwa.
  • dancer1178
    dancer1178 Posts: 50
    I would love to try Bokwa but I went on their website and there doesn't seem to be a class within 50 miles of me :(
  • Lovingfit
    Lovingfit Posts: 1
    I teach Zumba and Bokwa; I have never felt as toned or as coordinated as I have teaching Zumba! I've never had so many injuries (I've been a fitness instructor for 15 years) as I have doing Bokwa! Please bear in mind, these courses are 1 day courses that involve very little, if any, anatomy and physiology training. I apologise to all the other Zumba and Bokwa instructors out there, but they give you next to zero prep to teach classes or deal with injuries. A friend of mine asked to be booked into a Bokwa Level 2 class and was allowed, AFTER she stated she had an Achilles injury and she had never tried Bokwa before. Zumba done right can give you the biggest calorie burn and the largest smile of your fitness life! Bokwa done right can also make you sweat like a trooper, but you really have to watch those ankles and calves, and try to make sure your instructor has other fitness qualifications too! It's for your own safety!
    Much love xx
    Fitness isn't a physical challenge; it's a mental one. If you think you can, YOU'RE RIGHT.
  • MissV001
    MissV001 Posts: 3
    Zumba got me back into working out and i love it!! Recently my Zumba instructor started introducing us to Bokwa and i must say it kinda sucks.. its too boring and just doesn't give you the freedom to dance your heart out like Zumba does.

    And @Lovingfit.. you are totally right about the opportunity for injury when doing Bokwa! Zumba all the way!
  • reaprice1
    reaprice1 Posts: 1
    My Zumba instructor started also teaching Bokwa once a week for a few months now. At first I thought I would like Bokwa better because I find the steps easier to do. For some reason, I have a hard time with all the pelvic movements and shimmying in Zumba. ( I still go religiously, but I think I'm probably the most awkward person in the class.) There is very little of that in Bokwa (at least in my class), but the steps are still high impact and challenging. However, I'm finding that I'm starting to get bored with Bokwa because it is SO repetitive. Plus, I think it's kind of weird that all the moves with kicks only use the right leg. Just seems kind of imbalanced to me. For this reason, Bokwa seems more of a "fad" to me than Zumba.
  • tam_a_ram_a
    tam_a_ram_a Posts: 52 Member
    I've heard a lot about injuries in Bokwa as well. I'm a Zumba instructor, so I have to admit that I'm a little biased on which one I like more. But at least with Zumba you're taught that what you do on one side, you also have to do with the other side. I've also heard people say Bokwa is nothing more than advanced aerobics. My students like Zumba because they can modify the moves to their own comfort level. I've never hurt myself with Zumba.
  • laurengracegale
    laurengracegale Posts: 5 Member
    I do both and i do prefer Zumba, Bokwa is just a bit repetitive for me and i have the same instructor for both. Both are great though and my friend who gave up on Zumba for lack of co-ordination loves Bokwa!

    Just a question when adding to MFP do you enter Bokwa as Zumba for calorie count? Does anyone do Bokwa step and have any idea what i should add that as?!
  • Bekahjoy113
    Bekahjoy113 Posts: 1 Member
    I do Bokwa 2x/week and I LOVE it!!
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