Zumba DVD and Help

I have been going to Zumba classes for almost a year and I love them! I have lost 39 pounds and I know a lot of that is because of my commitment to class. I personally have never tried the DVDs but I have heard from others that they really do enjoy them, as well as Zumba for the Wii system. My problem is that unless I physically get up and go to the gym, there is a good chance I will just not do it on my own.

I would think that whichever DVD you choose you will see benefits from. Maybe go to your local library and see what they have as well before you have to commit to buy any.

Any exercise program that you begin to use will be beneficial, whether it be Zumba, aerobics, walking, or whatever else, just make sure that you enjoy doing it. That is what will make you more prone to sticking to it and seeing the best results. Best of luck!

I bought the total body transformation last week. I was also conflicted and ended up reading TONS of reviews. I have done the sculpt and tone and got a really good at home workout! GOOD LUCK!

I have been going to Zumba for a little while now and I LOVE it. It has helped me a bunch and I have seen a difference on the scale.

I too am a gym hater, but I have both dvds. Before buying I went to several sites that sold the dvds to find out how people felt about the Zumba dvds . Also on ***tube (don’t know if I can say it here) there are clips from both dvds so you can see for yourself how the choreography is.

First off I am not a dancer, but I can pickup dance moves for the most part and have been told I move well. However, after I bought each dvd I felt like the worst dancer in the world and wanted to get my money back BOTH times. However, I stuck it out and have learned to enjoy both.

About the dvds: Both have instructional sections. However, the instructors are only teaching you the basics of the dance you are doing for each section. They don’t show you step by step instructions for each routine. I recommend viewing the step-by step dvds , I didn’t ( not even when I bought Zumba Exhilarate and should’ve known better.) As a result that led to increased frustration.

Zumba Transformation will more than likely be easier. The choreography is easier to pick up. The music has an international flare. The setting looks a lot like a basic type of workout set. The instructional video showed 2-3 different ways to do the basic choreography. It was a good introduction into Zumba for me.

Zumba Exhilerate…sigh….I thought it was harder. This was even after having done the Zumba Transformation on and off for about a year and having attended several Zumba classes. The choreography was harder, and moves at such a quicker pace. I remember having to stop many times during the 20 min workout to catch my breath. The music was international, but had a club feel to it. Even the set made you feel like you are in the club with flashing lights etc. This didn’t bother me, but has bothered other users.

Also the instructors tend to stray a little from their routines several times to show off a little bit at the end of various segments (which I was ok with.) Also, in this set the instructors do mostly voice overs, but on most of the dvds there is a “Feel it” option where there is no verbal audios just music. It took me approx. 2 weeks to go onto the “Feel it” option. Also the dvds at least 2-3 of the workouts will have instructional sections for each dvd (they are all different.) The main step by step section shows choreography from the front and the back. Again not all the choreography is broken down, just the main parts ex: how to do the samba or salsa.

As far as which dvd would be right for you, it depends on you and your ability to pick up moves and whether or not you are easily discouraged. Just remember to wear good shoes that slide a bit so you don’t mess up your knees. Choreography can be modified to suit you and your body ( I do it sometimes and still sweat.) Movement is good for you no matter how you think you look. Zumba is the type of activity that gets easier the more you do it.

For me, this week I am restarting Zumba Exhilarate and am incorporating a bit of strength training. I wish you and everybody else well on your journey. Sorry ya'll for the long post....

I do Zumba 2 on the wii. It is awesome!

I have been doing zumba 2 x's a week for over a year. I also work out 3 other days a week too with pilates and strength. I am in my very late 50's and have to say, ZUMBA is what moves my scale. My metabolism is VERY slow.
I am about to research DVD's because my class teacher has left. If anyone finds a good one, please let me know and i will do the same.

I've never tried any of the DVDs. I've just done the classes and omg do I love Zumba. It's such a great workout. I've heard the classes are better than the DVDs. There's more energy and you're less likely to slack off. However, I know the DVD sets can sometimes come with guides on how to do the different steps where the classes I went to you kind of just have to jump right in. I was also considering buying some DVDs but then I realized there was a huge collection of zumba dance workouts on youtube. I made a playlist of my favorite songs and dances and I use it as a 1 hour at home workout. I did this last night, while wearing a heart rate monitor and burned 582 calories. I weigh about 147 right now so if you weigh more you will probably burn even more calories. The great thing about Zumba is it doesn't even feel like a work out. Here is a link to the playlist I use Let me know if you like it.

You may not be able to do all the moves but just keep moving and make up your own dance if you're having trouble following along. As long as your moving you will be burning calories. Also maybe try exploring youtube and finding easier dances to start off with and create your own playlist. I know the steps can sometimes be hard to get but if you keep doing it you will catch on.

Here is a youtube clip of some zumba basics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsSrq3HBa7A&list=PL14E082C85DCFCE85&index=41&feature=plpp_video


Good Luck!


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I have zumba 1 for the wii and got the zumba DVD with the toning sticks for Christmas this year. I also do a zumba class once a week at the gym. I sweat a lot but don't tend to burn a ton of calories (but I'm also in maintenance and very few things get my heart rate up in the calorie blasting zone-running and spinning). That said, it is fun. If I had to choose between the wii and the DVD, I'd pick the Wii. The DVD's are the same routine every time so it gets boring. It's mostly for the days I can't make it to the gym to give me a few extra calories to eat! The Wii has many different levels, classes, etc and I've heard the second game is better but haven't tried it. I have lost an inch or so off my waist since I've started doing zumba and I do think it's from the twisting motions. I must say the classes are the most fun because you get the energy from everybody else and if it's a good instructor you will move.

Thank you! wii 2 it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsSrq3HBa7A&list=PL14E082C85DCFCE85&index=41&feature=plpp_video

Thank you for the link Katebirs

You're Welcome!