Zumba...

give it a go its addictive.....

LOVE it! Burns lots of calories too. Never tire of it.

I.

Love.

Zumba!

I absolutely love my zumba class! It took me a while to work up the courage to try it, but I'm hooked now. Great music, great energy and great workout. Actually, it's so much fun it doesn't feel like a workout.

id say give it a go!!! its very fun! but if your not used to moving it may hurt your hips a bit, it hurt mine and i had to stop. but I'd say give it a shot!!!!

I'd say it's highly highly variable.

I was very very damning about Zumba for a long time because the first two classes I tried (2 different instructors) were both a total waste of time. The choreography was very repetitive and basic and when it came to the 'cool down' nobody had even broken a sweat!

But the third class I tried several months later was awesome. The girl was young, enthusiastic and used exciting, varied choreography. It wasn't what I'd call a difficult work out but it was fun and it burned calories.

Did you know that there is no set choreography for Zumba, the instructors can choose what they do? They also don't need to be properly trained or have any real dance background, they just do a short course. So it makes sense that some are going to be excellent and some dreadful.

If you can find a good class then it's a fun workout and a good way to keep motivated. It's not massively hardcore and probably shouldn't be all you do as exercise but it's a good addition to an existing regime.

I have never tried it but there are women I work with that LOVE it and swear by the results....

I signed up for some classes near me for super cheap and am hoping to start later this week. It looks really fun, but I'm also a bit intimidated, I haven't danced in years and am much heavier than when I used to dance (not professionally but on dance squads, cheerleading, etc.). Is it hard to pick up for newbies? Also, what clothes and shoes do folks typically wear - understanding I am FAR from being comfortable in a sports bra only on top or similar attire. I hope it's fun!

Zumba is an excellent program. Like others it has its positive and negative. I would say it could not hurt to try though right. I have been doing it for about a year, and though I wasn't always keeping track of weight - it made me feel great after doing it. As pretty much everyone has stated it burns calories and is dance-based, which makes it more fun. As far as not having the "moves," they get easier with time and you would be surprised how much you can do it.

Personally - I have the DVD series and I use the Zumba Flat Abs as a concentrated ab workout every other day. But most Zumba programs are good for your core - because you are always moving the core. Try it - if nothing else you'll find you won't like it and try something else. Working out should be challenging, but it should still be something you look forward to!

I absolutely love Zumba and most weeks it's my primary form of exercise. That being said, I'm lucky enought to have a gym that only has awesome instructors. They're all super high energy and all of the classes are a great work-out. I've been to classes at other gyms that are a waste of time and don't even feel like a work-out. It helps SO much to find an amazing instructor, and if you do, stick with him or her!! I haven't tried the DVD's but I don't think I would get as great of a work-out from them because I love the energy of the classes. I generally wear capri work-out pants and a tank-top or t-shirt. You get pretty sweaty and move around a lot so definitely wear something comfortable! I wear running sneakers but a lot of people have dance sneakers instead. I'm fine in my regular ones. I'll probably start to buy the Zumba clothes once I'm closer to my goal weight because a lot of them are really cute!