To think zumba isn't in fact the best! thing! ever!

[ShushBaby]

I mean, it's relatively fun, as exercise classes go. The bogling, for example, I quite enjoyed. But before I went for the first time last night, I was expecting some sort of exercise epiphany. People are practically evangelical about it.
But for me it was, well, an aerobics class. A big one.

And the 'ditch the workout, join the party' tagline? I'm not sure it felt like a party- more an excuse to get as many people as poss into a gym, and therefore as much cash as poss.

I'll go again. But I was really expecting a lot. And it was just... fine.

Am I missing something?

[chipsandpeas]

i have a great instructor she gets everyone going, went to a different class and the instructor seemed as if she couldnt be arsed, its partly cos of her i keep going plus its the only real exercise i enjoy doing so happy to carry on doing it

[AlanMoore]

Totally agree it depends on the teacher. Local one is ace, she's got 20odd years as a fitness instructor so she knows what she's doing. I really enjoyed it and I hate salsa and whooping.

[CinnamonAddict]

Oh, and I don't do 45min classes, only one hour. Everything else didn't do it for me.

[CinnamonAddict]

my -> me

[CinnamonAddict]

I don't care if it is a fad or passé, I like it.

It was the first exercise I really liked and I lost loads of weights with Zumba (from15 to 10st), by doing it 5 times a week. It definitely toned my, I didn't have any loose skin issues.
It heavily depends on the instructor, I did go to some classes where I thought it was a bit of a joke, not a workout.
After a while I found my classes and have been going for a long time. Always the same crowd, we go out for drinks occasionally and it is always a good workout (after 45mins I'm on the verge of collapse, and I'm quite fit). Took my SIL, also very fit, she could see where I burned my calories
Some of the classes are full of grannies, so what? As long as the instructor is good and I have enough space to move, the music is good, I don't care who is sweating next to me.

[SquinkiesRule]

Zumba gold is the lowest impact class. suitable for those who haven't exercised in a long time or who have had injuries.
We do higher impact and really get sweaty

We don't Whoop and cheer, but then the music is so loud you wouldn't hear the crazies doing it.

[melliebobs]

Zumba is so passé. It's all about Bokwa and Metafit at my gym. And I haven't done any of them

[SquinkiesRule]

adverbial It was step classes when I was young. Do they still do those?

Yes that one is still going, I tried it once last year, scared the crap out of me, I fell off a couple of times, I have more chance of injury in that one.
Never really wanted to try pole fitness, but then I associate that with stripper poles so didn't even want to go there.
Our instructor isn't all up herself and loving her self in the mirror, she wears a mike when there's a lot of new people and does give instruction as she goes, she will also go over moves for new songs/people as needed.
Her studio is small so 20 people is about as many as she sees each day.
I always get drawn in by old threads too!

[VeganCow]

is a class that does not look like the forced ridiculous high energy clapping and wooping silliness I have usually seen associated with Zumba.

[FrenchRuby]

adverbial I've not seen past threads but pole fitness is an awesome way to build up strength. I go to a class that focuses on holds and strength rather than the dance side of it (as mentioned before, I have no coordination haha!)

[exoticfruits]

I always get fooled into old threads.

[exoticfruits]

Zumba is for all- suitable for all levels of fitness.

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

Eliot - erm no, Zumba is not for the unfit....it can be quite cardio and can be a good work out if you have a good instructor and like that sort of thing :)

[Trills]

[EliotNess]

zumba is exercise for the chronically unfit isnt it?

Like when someone called aqua aerobics " fat splash"

I didnt laugh at all

[adverbial]

Snigger at pole dancing fitness

[adverbial]

It's just a faddy aerobics class. It was step classes when I was young. Do they still do those?

[shewhowines]

wands

The best ones don't need to call out instructions. They let you know what is coming up by hand signals.

[shewhowines]

I thought it was only ok to begin with but once you are familiar with the moves and really relax into it, it is great. I'm a total addict and for the first time in my life, actually look forward to going to the gym. Agree it does depend on the instructor though. Some are very average. The amount of sweat, varies with the instuctors too. Our two best ones really go for it.

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

French - I am a pole fitness addict.....I didn't much like zumba when I did it either :)

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

Why does this thread keep getting re-newed......it is so old!!!

[Wandawingsthe2nd]

Can a Zumba instructor confirm something for me; is it true that a proper class teacher won't give instructions? It's something I've heard but never seen in practice.

[FrenchRuby]

I tried it, hated it. I'm really uncoordinated. I do pole fitness and much prefer it.