Zumba = bulky muscles?

Zumba doesn't cause bulky muscles. I do it twice a week plus strength training and ab work and I have streamlined my body

You're good to Zumba all you want. I have what I've always called "soccer player calves" (which I admit to hating, but I'm trying to get over that) and even I'm not worried about my calves getting big on Zumba.

In an effort to save your friend, though, I might know why she said that. She's horribly misinformed, but it would make sense to someone who doesn't know. When I first tried Zumba, my calves were quite sore afterwards. She (or someone she knows, or a friend of a friend) might have experienced that same thing. The difference is that your calves are sore from lactic acid buildup, not microdamage. Lactic acid builds up during cardio when you're not getting enough oxygen to the muscles you're working, and the calves work pretty hard during Zumba just because of all the little steps. But it doesn't add up to muscle building. Microdamage is when you've stressed your muscles to the point where microscopic tears occur, and this is done with heavy lifting. That's what ends up building muscle as the tissue repairs itself. *But* as so many others have pointed out, women don't build bulky muscle naturally. So even lifting heavy doesn't usually result in looking over-muscled. Unless, of course, you're supplementing steroids or testosterone or have a huge natural surplus. Your doctor can check that for you if you're really that worried.

Yes all the top bodybuilders incorporate zumba for its muscle building efficiency

I think I would pay good money to see massively muscled men doing zumba..........

Oh my god

As far as i know, Zumba is very dangerous for women, who are not wanting to look like huge muscular men. Effects of Zumba have been classified by scientists as "similar, or in some cases superior mass builder than most steroids on the market ". If you've already made mistake, and accidently done some Zumba, avoid eating protein for next 3 weeks, to minimise bulking effects of hypetrophy-gene, activated by Zumba.Also, avoid walking, as it will have a "superset effect" on your calves, making them swole to the point where you can't put yout feet together. Hope you don't look like Arnold in his best years yet. Get well, good luck!

:drinker:

When I was dancing all the time, latin ballroom, I danced 5-6 days a week and my calves didn't get "bulky" they got cut.

lolNO

Zumba won't make you bulky. But Tae bo is a whole different story. Be veddy veddy careful with Tae bo

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/749572-can-you-lose-weight-with-tae-bo

Zumba made me what I am today!

Did that comment she made make any sense at all to you? Cause it sure doesn't to me or many others. Honestly, sometimes I just don't know where people come up with these bits o' advice. Do you know how hard some people have to work on their calf muscle just to have one sorta show? Besides having a defined calf muscle is hot. Period. Now go dance, dance, dance!

I've never done zumba.
But, I feel ya on the whole 'bulky calves' issue.
It's genetics unfortunately. I do a lot of cardio and while my legs are smaller/more toned I still have proportionately 'large' calves. It's just the way you and I are built. Still it is a bit agonizing for me, I really hate them.