Zumba or not to Zumba.. that is the question...

i just started it and i love it. i don't feel like i am grinding through a workout i don't want to do i get up wanting to work out.

Love Zumba!!!!! It is more fun in a class, but at home will work for you, too!!!

Zumba is incredible if you find the right teacher... I was completely against it (not a fan of 'expressing myself' in public), and got dragged along kicking and screaming (quietly as not to express myself too publicly) to a class with a friend. Well, all I can say is thanks goodness someone made me do it. It is the most fun you can have with your clothes on! If the teacher has personality, and knows how to teach, i.e. to a complete novice, making sure you can follow the steps and not going overboard too quickly, then it is such a great workout and so enjoyable.

The more you go, the better you know the moves, and therefore the better the workout. I can absolutely say I have the best fun at Zumba - I now go around 3 times a week and am planning to buy the DVDs...

And yes, I'm still against being outwardly expressive, but I stand at the back and flail about like a complete idiot, putting my entire body into every move, and its actually not that embarrassing, when you know everyone else is doing the same

I would certainly recommend getting to a class, the live element gives you more of a buzz.

I tend to burn around 500-600 calories per class, and I would say they are 'Moderate' to 'Intense'.

Have fun!

I love Zumba. I grin like a crazy person the whole time I'm doing it because it is so much fun. The instructor definitely makes a difference. Now that I know who my "favorites" are at my gym, I go regularly 3 x a week. I have a great time dancing, and I am drenched in sweat by the end of the workout.

Try it, then if you like it keep it up, if you dont, find something else.

I used to love zumba but it came head to head with my thai boxing, and thai boxing won

You just can's beat it for cardio. I attend a class faithfully 2X per week. The key is having a great instructor who will make the class fun!. Keep searching until you find the right one for you, then you will grow to not wanting to miss it.

to quote my boot camp instructor " if you want easy then go take zumba"

I tried Zumba and was unable to keep up, at the same time as long as your moving it shouldn't matter if you are doing it perfect. I will say I just prefer Walk Away the Pounds or something similar right now. I will try my Zumba again after I lose another 30 lbs or so and hope that I can stick with it then.

I'm brand spanking new to MFP and I recently borrowed Zumba from a friend ( which she never used). What does everyone think about out it ? Have you tried it? Did you see results? I figure I start slow since I'm in no shape to try insanity or p90x ( I would drop dead). Thanks guys !!:flowerforyou:

ZUMBA is always the answer!! I do it a minimum of 4 days per week, and doing only that and a reduced calorie diet lost me 12lbs in May.

One hour of good-effort-given Zumba burns 750-1,000calories. Not to mention it's an absolute blast and you don't realize you're exercising despite how sweaty you get, lol.

I'm working to become a certified trainer of Zumba, so of course I encourage it! I notice I have more stamina, definition, strength, and confidence (esp on the dance floor!)

I've gone to a few Zumba classes and I also own the Zumba game for Wii. I love it! I think it's something people of any fitness level can do, because you can go as fast or as slow as you'd like. It's just about letting loose, dancing, and having fun!

Also, it burns calories, and ANYTHING that burns calories helps you lose weight. Good luck!

I love zumba - I've done it in a class and I've done the zumba game for PS3 and Wii. The class was a ton of fun! I love doing zumba at home because if I don't catch the steps, no one cares/notices (not like they did in the class either, everyone was also trying to keep up :] ) but I also find you don't have to do it RIGHT to enjoy it or get the workout in - as long as you're moving, you're burning! The music is catchy and fun and keeps me motivated - plus I get the songs stuck in my head and can't wait to dance to them again!

for sure ZUMBA . I love dancing and still zumba always gives me the same excitment . I always wait for my zumba class like a child is waiting for christmas . I go 4 times a week , maybe 5 if I have more time . The dvds are alright but like all dvds its very easy to get bored cause its everytime the same routines and songs . In a zumba class u have an instructor new choreographies and new music everytime , plus u get to see how sexy u have become through the mirror . I also go to zumbathons and zumba events every weekend and I plan to become an instructor . I f u want my opinion zumba for me is the only exercise that is seriously fun . It feels like a latin party not like u are at a gym exxercising . But i would never suggest it for someone who cant follow moves . And like all exercises if u do it with intensity u burn a lot , if not u burn zero . so give it a try and i f u love it go to a live class with other people around . Its fun and it makes u look hot what else do u need ?

I can't stress enough how much I love Zumba. It is not an exaggeration to say that it changed my life. I've always hated running (and exercise, in general) but my friend wouldn't shut up about Zumba classes. I went to one when I started trying to kickstart my weight loss, and I got hooked. When I'm on a treadmill, I find myself watching the seconds as they progress, but in Zumba class, an hour flies by without me even noticing - you just have so much fun!

As far as doing it in public, I've never minded going to classes. Although at first, I'll admit, I did try to find a spot that wasn't facing a mirror because I didn't want to see what I looked like. But then I saw that everyone else probably looked about as foolish as I did, but no one cared because we were all moving and sweating and having fun.

That said, if you are a little self-conscious (especially starting out), there are plenty of instructors who have put their classes up on YouTube - you should check those out.

to quote my boot camp instructor " if you want easy then go take zumba"

Have you ever tried it? I burn more calories per hour at zumba then I do jogging on the treadmill. I use a polar hrm with chest strap to guage calories burned. Its not a lifting or "toning" class, so you still need to lift weights or do some body weight strength training, but as far as cardio workouts go, its hard to beat for calorie burn!

i have done the XBOX 360 zumba rush and have had fun. if you feel completely lost, just focus on the arms or the feet or just march in place until you can catch up again. As it is normal ot feely goofy and awkward, i would recommend trying it a couple of times before actually deciding whether or not you like it.