Zumba. Does it work?

butterbritt88
butterbritt88 Posts: 4 Member
edited September 22 in Fitness and Exercise
Got up this morning to get ready for work and saw a Zumba ad on tv. I know a few friends who have tried it and said they had a blast with it but I havent heard whether it works or not? Has anyone else tried it? And if so what kind of results did you get? :smile:

Replies

  • thenebean9
    thenebean9 Posts: 216
    I've been doing Zumba 2-3 days a week (and sometimes more!) in addition to eating better and running and I've lost nearly 50lbs! It's a fun workout that can burn a good amount of calories! I highly recommend it :)
  • KPaden1221
    KPaden1221 Posts: 433
    i usually do it 3-4 times a week.. and i've lost 20 lbs in just a little over a month.. along with eating better.. (but i gained like 11 backs due to honeymoon and etc) but i lost 2 more lbs this week.. and i've only gone twice... it's GREAT!!
  • groucherella
    groucherella Posts: 207
    A friend of mine started in January and looks wonderful and says she feels wonderful. She absolutely loves it! I enjoy it as well, but just started!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    What do you mean by "works"? It's exercise. All exercise "works."
  • dezi718
    dezi718 Posts: 118 Member
    Yes, Yes, Yes!! It works wonders if you do it often and do it right! If you really get into the dance moves, it gives you an awesome work out! My friend started doing it in a gym class here where I work and she loved it so much, she is now an instructor and bought her 1st bikini ever this summer!
  • NutritionDivaRD
    NutritionDivaRD Posts: 467 Member
    I tried Zumba this summer! I found that it was an outstanding cardio workout. And it was FUN! I had to drop my gym membership due to financial reasons but if I were still a member I'd still be going to Zumba! Give it a try!
  • deshaine
    deshaine Posts: 195
    What do you mean by "works"? It's exercise. All exercise "works."

    This is the response I give when people ask me about hula hooping... :laugh:

    Zumba is more fun than cleaning, and can burn more cals per hour, but either way, you're moving... and moving is better than sitting.

    So do what you think is fun... I choose Zumba over cleaning any day...
  • MonicaS29
    MonicaS29 Posts: 21
    Any cardio is going to "work" as long as it is continuous and keeps your heart rate up in the 130-150 range for at least 30 mins. I take Zumba 4-5x/week and I love it. You get a guaranteed 55-60 min cardio workout and it is fun b/c it incorporates a lot of different dance-style moves and the hour seems to just fly by...plus the music rocks!. I burn about 800 cals an hour doing it and I've lost 30 lbs over the past 6 months that I have been doing it this often (along with better eating and drinking habits). I think it would be more but I also have been weight training so I've added a lot of muscle and leaned out more than anything so far. If anything, give it a try and see if you like it!
  • carrie145
    carrie145 Posts: 297
    I've been wanting to try it. I peeked in on the class at my gym last night as I was leaving. I have been telling myself that I wouldn't be able to do it, but after watching them last night I think I can. I'm going to give it a try.
  • NeuroticVirgo
    NeuroticVirgo Posts: 3,671 Member
    Its a good Cardio work out from everyone I know who does it, I'm starting it tonight...so wish me luck that I don't fall on my face. haha (not gifted in the rhythm department) I don't think Zumba would work alone, but thats just me, I plan to mix it with other things later, like the P90x, or just some strength training at the gym. BUT for now....I'm adding things in 1 thing at a time. lol
  • amscobra
    amscobra Posts: 73
    I have gone to some classes and see some women only giving it half the effort. for then, NO it won't work. But if you give it 100% just as any exercise then yes, it works.
  • dtcauley4
    dtcauley4 Posts: 110 Member
    I started Zumba once a week and lost 10 lbs in my first month. Now I am addicted and I go 3-5 times a week! I love it!!
  • amandalc980
    amandalc980 Posts: 383 Member
    I started Zumba once a week and lost 10 lbs in my first month. Now I am addicted and I go 3-5 times a week! I love it!!

    I plan on signing up and doing it on Saturdays each week to keep away weekend blues. Hope I become addicted like you. :)
  • chelekaz
    chelekaz Posts: 847 Member
    110% if you give it your all. I've been doing it for about 6 weeks now and go twice a week. Personally for me I think that classes are the best way to go. You have an instructor showing you the steps and the responsibility to participate. Just doing it at home (unless you are dedicated) makes it too easy to just 1/2 step it or quit out in the middle.
  • gecho
    gecho Posts: 426 Member
    yes, it is a killer workout! I tried it at my gym and i lasted only 40 mins of the hour long class and it kicked my butt 9 ways to sunday.
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    So... I got a gym membership over the weekend and have been told that Zumba (or Latin Heat, as it is called at the gym I belong to) is so much fun and is a great workout. The problem is that I am totally out of shape, have no rhythm, and don't want to kill myself in a class, but I sort of want to try it out. Are there any other out-of-shape chubby people out there who have tried it, and is it possible to just do what I am able, or do I have to keep up with everyone? I am committed to trying my best, but I have exercise-induced asthma, am still 85 pounds overweight, and probably don't have the stamina of a lot of other people...
  • NeuroticVirgo
    NeuroticVirgo Posts: 3,671 Member
    So... I got a gym membership over the weekend and have been told that Zumba (or Latin Heat, as it is called at the gym I belong to) is so much fun and is a great workout. The problem is that I am totally out of shape, have no rhythm, and don't want to kill myself in a class, but I sort of want to try it out. Are there any other out-of-shape chubby people out there who have tried it, and is it possible to just do what I am able, or do I have to keep up with everyone? I am committed to trying my best, but I have exercise-induced asthma, am still 85 pounds overweight, and probably don't have the stamina of a lot of other people...

    I'm going tonight, I'm 112lbs over weight, If I don't respond...there's a good chance I DIED during the work out. lol I'm really hoping it will be good, and like most things, I hear to still take it at your own pace, I mean try, don't just give up, but someone as overweight and out of shape as me is not going to be as good as the instructor. (who is our local dance academy instructor...so ya....REALLY good shape) I don't have asthma though, so I'm not sure about that...
  • softlyspoken68
    softlyspoken68 Posts: 78
    Today....this very evening, i'm going to try Zumba for the first time...and anything you do to move works ;)
  • nurse_jenie
    nurse_jenie Posts: 173
    I do not have the Zumba dvd's but I take the class at my gym and it is a steller workout!
  • chelekaz
    chelekaz Posts: 847 Member
    So... I got a gym membership over the weekend and have been told that Zumba (or Latin Heat, as it is called at the gym I belong to) is so much fun and is a great workout. The problem is that I am totally out of shape, have no rhythm, and don't want to kill myself in a class, but I sort of want to try it out. Are there any other out-of-shape chubby people out there who have tried it, and is it possible to just do what I am able, or do I have to keep up with everyone? I am committed to trying my best, but I have exercise-induced asthma, am still 85 pounds overweight, and probably don't have the stamina of a lot of other people...

    Absolutely you can do it. I weigh over 250 pounds and I go twice a week every week. In the beginning I couldn't do all of the moves, and some I still cannot do. But our instructor focuses on making sure that I at least keep moving if not able to do certain move. WHen I started I was the heaviest person by far in the class. Now, there are two other women who have signed up and Anita said that once they knew I was in the class they felt more comfortable.

    So... get out there and start dancing!
  • sgp329
    sgp329 Posts: 184
    So... I got a gym membership over the weekend and have been told that Zumba (or Latin Heat, as it is called at the gym I belong to) is so much fun and is a great workout. The problem is that I am totally out of shape, have no rhythm, and don't want to kill myself in a class, but I sort of want to try it out. Are there any other out-of-shape chubby people out there who have tried it, and is it possible to just do what I am able, or do I have to keep up with everyone? I am committed to trying my best, but I have exercise-induced asthma, am still 85 pounds overweight, and probably don't have the stamina of a lot of other people...

    For me the great thing about Zumba is you really can put your own flavor in it. Everyone can take it at their own pace and as you continue to go you can build on your basics. Get it a whirl! It is the most fun! My class has everyone from itty bitty skinnies to really large women. We are all just a shakin it and having a great time and getting a great workout!
  • kaitimae
    kaitimae Posts: 727 Member
    I tried Zumba once. It was a LOT of fun! However, I got done with the class and thought... "Well, I feel warmed up now, guess I better go do my real workout." Maybe I wasn't doing it right, haha! I would say, if it gets you moving and you enjoy it, go for it! Personally, I now go to a gym that doesn't offer classes, and I can't say I really miss it too much. I get just as much satisfaction out of hitting the elliptical or treadmill for an hour. =)
  • rlfriedrichs
    rlfriedrichs Posts: 24
    Anyone know anything about water Zumba? Zumba sounds fun but I have bad knees and can't do real Zumba. There is a facility here that has water Zumba but I can't find much out about it and if it works better than the water aerobics.
  • sarahwright01
    sarahwright01 Posts: 229 Member
    I LOVE ZUMBA! I go 2x a week. I have been losing about 1.5 to 2 pounds a week. My zumba instructor really likes the hip hop latin combination. LOTS of ab work. It is great. I have upped my ability to where I am almost doing this full impact during the class. I have also started to hit the elliptical for 20-30 minutes before class to get that extra cardio kick in.

    P.S. Chubby girls can do it too! just go for the low impact. I have 50-60 more pounds to go...i fall into this "chubby" category! LOL~!
  • 20carrots
    20carrots Posts: 279 Member
    I dance a lot and didn't find Zumba that challenging. Like someone else said, I felt warmed up but not worked out. Everyone's different though! I only went once and have been wondering if I should give it another chance...water zumba sounds awesome! I am such an old 32 yr old, I LOVE water aerobics!
  • sunnysashka
    sunnysashka Posts: 296
    YES! IT DOES WORK!
    And those who did not find it challenging should try another instructor. Every instructor is different. You just might have got not the best one.
  • sherry_80
    sherry_80 Posts: 86 Member
    I do the zumba dvd's, and i added 3 Ibs weights while i am dancing and you sweat a lot faster, and its more challenging holding the weights and dancing at the same time. I haven't tried a class, but i assume they mix it up. With the dvd. every dvd has different dances and they move faster on some.
  • AEROBICVIC
    AEROBICVIC Posts: 159 Member
    Yes Zumba works! it's an exercise and gets you moving! i've been teaching Zumba for 3 years and love it. for newbies, it's great and you will see results fast, for seasoned athletes, it's a great cardio addition to your regular workout routine. i have several playlists i use for variety so you never know what type of workout you're going to get until you come into class. i have several "regulars" that request the harder classes where i add jumping jacks, tons of squats, abs and/or weight training for the "30%" of non-zumba music format we follow. if you want to make your workouts harder in Zumba, take the classes often and learn the routines the best you can. the more you know what is coming up, the more effort you put into your workout. we dance hard in class....we are soaked when we are done. newbies wont get as much out of it because they are new to the choreography. when i take other classes, its the same for me. i don't get out as much as when i do my own choreography but it is a change up. we all need change in our regular activies. i love taking other classes, i learn new moves, don't have to concentrate on the next move and gets me out of the same old, same old. Zumba is also great social time to be around fun, motivating people who are there for the same reasons as you....get some exercise, have some laughs, relieve some stress and enjoy other people! have fun at your next Zumba class!
  • NeuroticVirgo
    NeuroticVirgo Posts: 3,671 Member
    I've only gone once, but plan to keep going. :) I can tell you, It REALLY made me break a sweat, but I made it through the whole 60 minutes...wasn't probably doing it very well...but I didn't pass out, or walk out...so I think that counts for something lol.

    There was a good mix of people there, young, old, overweight, not overweight, so it wasn't bad. I'm 265lbs, it wasn't easy, but I could do it, so that was something.
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