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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

not to get the appeal of Zumba?

84 replies

manicinsomniac · 04/04/2011 14:06

I feel like a complete freak. Everyone I know loves Zumba, goes on about how great it is, how much fun, what an amazing workout etc. I was so excited when I saw it advertised at the gym. I like the Les Mills Body Jam but thought this seemed better, if anything.

When I tried it I found it so dull and slow moving. When the woman said we were going to start to cool down I looked around and nobody even appeared out of breath let alone seemed to have borken a sweat. I know I hadn't. Yet they still said they enjoyed it and had got some good exercise.

Any positive Zumba experiences out there? I go to a gym with a lot of high impact classes so I did wonder if they were intentionally keeping Zumba easy and that it might be a lot better elsewhere. I half thought about trying another class in the village where I live but I pay £50 a month to be a gym member so only really want to do their classes.

OP posts:

bobblehat · 04/04/2011 14:34

It probably depends on the instrutor. At the one I go to there's loads of jumping about but she does do different levels so you could take it really easy if you wanted. The age range where I go is everything from early twenties to seventies so you go at your level.

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 04/04/2011 14:36

Iwantscallops - sounds like you gym instructor doesnt want anyone of you buggering off to the dark side, lo.......I am an instructor and I would never say that (not a zumba instructor though god forbid)

Iwantscallops · 04/04/2011 14:37

To be honest, I have known the instructor for quite some time and she kind of said it in confidence. I can't help but agree that it's not that strenuous, and like I said, I have been to a few different classes with different instructors. I must add, I know overweight people that are very fit and slim people that are not, so don't agree with her views on that.

Mysweetprince, I thought Zumba was latin-inspired dance, originating in Latin America. Bollywood sounds great and if it is working for you both, fantastic.

It's just not my cup of tea. I prefer spinning, bodyblast or step myself - then I really feel I have had a workout.

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 04/04/2011 14:38

I had to do it for about 6 sessions before I actually started to enjoy it. I do it coz its a bit different but I do prefer spinning/pole fitness, just think all that wiggling must be good for my arse, lol

Meglet · 04/04/2011 14:39

I like it.

But last time I went I spent most of the time at the woman in front of me as I couldn't decide if her 'perfect' boobs were real or fake.

Ragwort · 04/04/2011 14:42

I don't like it either - hate all that hip waving / dancey stuff but I am very old fashioned and like traditional aerobic classes .

Pixieonthemoor · 04/04/2011 14:44

I really adore zumba but I agree with other posters - I think it is fairly variable out there, ranging from v gentle to full on. In my class you can really go for it and be energetic and end up out of breath and sweating or you can take it easy. I have lost weight esp around the hips and thighs and regained definition around my waist plus become much much fitter. Try shopping around for one that gives you more of a work out. It can be SO much fun and with some great music too!

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 04/04/2011 14:44

the instructor can make or break!!

lynniep · 04/04/2011 14:46

I get the appeal, but I personally dont like it. I've tried two instructors, and both times I found it kind of disjointed dull and I certainly didnt break a sweat. Most of the people I know really enjoy it. I prefer salsacise which is quite energetic and more 'intuative' imo - probably because I've done dancing in the past. I love body combat too for the pure frenziedness of it. I'm a sweaty mess by the end of that, and boy I ache the day after.

stillfeel18inside · 04/04/2011 14:46

I found it impossible to follow - just couldn't do the right hippy movements - so didn't feel I got much exercise out of it = wouldn't go again. Do step!

Niceguy2 · 04/04/2011 14:49

Are you a "fattie" then Niceguy?

Not really. Like most I could probably do with losing a little bit but I've long realised that in order to do it, I'd have to change what I eat and I like what I eat! lol

I do go training 2-3 times a week to BMF and thats definitely not a "little something". I recommend it to anyone who wants to get fit & lose weight. Interestingly there seems to be more women at our classes than men.

Original poster

manicinsomniac · 04/04/2011 14:56

desperateforinnerthighs - 700 calories?? Seriously?! Wow, that's impressive.

Have to admit to finding it hard to believe some of the huge calire burn figures you read for exercise classes. I've seen Body step listed as 400-800, Body jam as 500, Body Pump as 400, Body attack as 800 and even Body balance as 300.

I'm a small female though so I only log between 200 (balance) and 400 (step) calories on myfitnesspal depending on the class.

nutracheck lists 'Zumba moderate effort' as 268 calories (for my height and weight)

OP posts:

Original poster

manicinsomniac · 04/04/2011 14:56

how did I spell calorie as calire?!

OP posts:

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 04/04/2011 15:02

Yeah, thats what I heard although how true it is......no idea!! Suppose you can take it up or down.......I dont know how they get to these figures though, it's prob all a load of shite

For spin, I reckon loads burned there though...bloody love it :)

Oh and blame the keyboard

dinkystinky · 04/04/2011 15:07

I wear a heartrate monitor and easily burn through 600 cals in an hours class - more than I burn in a 45 minute combat class (though am drenched at the end of combat and not at the end of zumba) - odd huh

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 04/04/2011 15:11

Dont forget though, if you do any form of exercise that gets your heart rate really elevated even after you have finished you are still burning off calories quickly.....thats why it is good to exercise in the mornings, gets you going for the whole day.

I do a lot of pole fitness and whilst that isnt cardiovascular and so I dont really get sweaty/out of breath, it is a really good toner which also gets the metabolism going..........my upper body has really toned since I have been doing that, plus I am so much stronger now as well.

Original poster

manicinsomniac · 04/04/2011 15:14

definitely going to get a heartrate monitor when I can.

desperateforinnerthighs - spin def looks like a real workout - I don't think I could do it though. If I don't have set moves to set music then I get bored and my will power goes through the floor. I don't think I'd be mentally tough enough to get through a spin class. There's a spin class on at the same time as a bodyjam class at the gym I go to and the jam instructor is always saying 'believe it or not we're burning more calories in here than that lot over there.' I'm thinking - yeahhhh, riiiight.

OP posts:

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 04/04/2011 15:18

Manic - to be totally honest, the first few spin sessions I did I enjoyed it only after I had finished...it took about 4-5 session and then it was like "hey, I am enjoying this"...now I bloody love it.

You will be amazed what you can do on a bike - sitting, climbing, running, sprinting, press ups, loads of stuff...it IS hard, it's continuos (we dont stop at all but it is only 45 mins) and it is addictive, lol...if I had time I would spin every day! The studio is dark with flashing lights, thje music is pumping and if you get a good instructor it can be so motivational.....

Your jam instructor might betelling you fibs, I dont know

RunnerHasbeen · 04/04/2011 15:23

I wear a heart rate monitor too and the difference between instructors is huge. Find one who also teaches harder aerobics, not a dance teacher. I normally burn about 450-500 in 45 minutes (I'm a healthy weight and fit) but when she was on holiday and her replacement came in, I burned only about 300, even though I tried to make each dance as hard as possible.

WhatsWrongWithYou · 04/04/2011 17:01

Can I ask about spin classes? As someone who can barely ride a bike (and has a dodgy back as above), would a beginners' class be okay for me in theory?
I use the bikes in the gym as part of my programme, but am lazy don't particularly push myself during my sessions; the idea of following a motivational instructor and really getting something out of it appeals. But due to the dodgy back I try and avoid hurling myself around a sprung floor at the command of someone who's staring at themselves in the mirror (present company excepted).

CaveMum · 04/04/2011 17:15

Sod the aerobic style classes and join a dance class instead! As well as exercise you are learning a new skill that can be used elsewhere

[dance teacher emotcion]

Original poster

manicinsomniac · 04/04/2011 17:29

whatswrongwithyou - I'm no expert and have never entered a spin studio but I've watched it going on and it looks like all ages,abilities, shapes and sizes to me. Some look scary fit but by no means all.

Cavemum - I'd love to do dance classes, I did loads from ages 3-21 but I can't find any decent adult dance classes. A lot of places seem to assume that adult = beginner (especially tap dance which was my main thing)

OP posts:

CaveMum · 04/04/2011 18:22

manic have you tried using this site or this one

Original poster

manicinsomniac · 04/04/2011 19:10

The first one yes but never seen the second - thanks!

OP posts:

DrNortherner · 04/04/2011 19:18

Never done Zumba. I have zero coordination so will be crap at it. I always used to grapevine the wrong way at aerobics.

I took up running instead

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