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?

[manicinsomniac]

I wrote a very harsh opinion about Zumba further up this thread.

That was a month ago. I happened to try one more Zumba class last week as it was the only class I could make that day. There was a cover instructor from another town and she was absolutely awesome. Around 18 years old at a guess and a very good dancer. She was enthusiastic, didn't stop and made the routines decently difficult.

So I apologise for my previous comment. There are good instructors out there who can make it a reasonable work out.

The comment about instructors not needing to be experienced or proficient dancers explains a lot about the variation in quality, difficulty and benefit of the classes.

[BilboBloggins]

It's shit - I've broken more of a sweat putting the bins out.

The steps are too complicated for me, so I feel like I can't put enough into it to call it a work out because I'm always playing catch up.

Body Pump I absolutely LOVE though!

[PuppyMonkey]

I've started going and think it's quite a laugh, but I have been by everyone around me sweating absolute buckets and looking like they've run three marathons within 20 minutes, while I'm there never having even midly perspired. You can tell they're all thinking "she's not doing it right." But I bloody am.

There are about 500 people crammed into our sports hall.

No idea what boggling is.

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

What were you expecing then, a fanfare???

Zumba is massively different depending on the instructor, same as any exercise class...it can be good or shit!!

I go, I dont love it but it's good exercise......I prefer other stuff such as pole fitness and spinning but as they say, variety is the spice of life!

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

...oh yeah, forgot to say - Zumba is just a passing fad....and the instructors know this - it's a cash cow at the moment hence they are jam packing em in the local church halls....they wont be there in 10 years time thats for sure.

I am an old school aerobics instructor who has been in her local church hall for 10 years now........people always come back to old fashioned aerobics once the boredom of the latest fad kicks in!

[redexpat]

Ok zumba instructor on the thread now!

If you are not breaking a sweat, it's because you are not putting enough into the movements. You have to make them bigger, take bigger steps, punch harder, wiggle your hips more, kick higher. I can't do that for you.

If you don't like one class then try another. No instructors are the same, rather like yoga teachers in my experience. If it isn't for you then it isn't for you. I would never dream of going to aerobics, or running, or playing badminton. Each to his or her own.

[PuppyMonkey]

No, I jump like a complete mad woman from the start and I kick high and do all the arm waving and thrusting and everything. Honest I do.

[Insomnia11]

It's a no brainer for me, I've done aerobics and salsa in the past, and latin and ballroom dancing so I'm sure I'd like a good class of Zumba, just haven't got round to joining one yet. I do have the Wii game though which is lots of fun. I sweat more than when I run, seriously.

[CornflowerB]

Absolutely agree that it is down to the teacher. I have a fab, very motivational teacher and we do it with weights [smug] and certainly break a sweat. I've lost weight and toned up my upper body and legs without too much effort I think, because it is enjoyable you kind of forget you are exercising.
OK, so it might be a bit cheesy, but who cares - it is a hell of a lot more fun than a treadmill...

[BeauBelles]

DOES IT TONE YOU UP??

I have wonderful cellulite, would it honestly be worth my going or will i remain as wobbly as before but a few quid more skint?

[tanukiton]

Zumba-Whoop whoop :)
I do have a great teacher and sweat lots. I do 3 hours swimming, 1 pilates, 3 yoga classes and 1 zumba a week. So think of myself as reasonably fit.

We have a ballet teacher in our class (she sweats too). The trick is to keep your arms high and ' jump' the steps.

BUT i love dance. I wish there where hip hop classes at my gym.

[tallulahxhunny]

I bought the Zumba for the Wii because of all the hype about this latest craze... I hate it, its lying in the corner after being used just once. Its too hard :(

[zumbatastic]

I'm an instructor so am going to be a bit biased here, but the whole point of Zumba is it's meant to be easy to follow and fun, as well as giving you a good workout. Whether you like it or not can be down to the personal style of the teacher - in the past I have attended a lot of local classes and some were hard work and good fun, some were 'heart attack zumba' and others less intense, and some were simply awful (IMHO)! As with anything it's horses for courses - my friend is an amazing runner and tried to get me into running. It was hellish and I hated every second. I dragged her along to a Zumba class and she was relatively unimpressed. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. If you have tried it and didn't like it, try another class just in case you prefer another instructor's style, or just move on. Put the kettle on and have a biscuit.

Zumba hugs - whoop whoop - hahahahahaha

[Lotkinsgonecurly]

Bloody hated zumba. Loads of jumping, dancing around to crap music. Ended up feeling like a bah humbug. Now boxfit is fantastic...

[begonyabampot]

zumba is over rated BUT if it gets people out doing some kind of exercise who might never bother otherwise (the girls who used to giggle and hide in the loos smoking at PE)then that can't be bad. Basically it's for people who don't like to really work out but some dance and music will help to make it more fun and more a social event than exercise. I hardly broke sweat at my class and and felt a bit icky watching some granny, perm types strutting about like strippers and trying to do that down low shakey bum thing (sure there is a term for it).

[monkeymiss]

Zumba's ok. I've enjoyed the classes I've been to, but it's not hardcore enough exercise for me.

@ a PP: yes, I think you'd still be wobbly :)

[Silvertwigs]

Apart from being able to become a Zumba instructor with only 2 days training and no previous dance/fitness experience, the unfortunate sheep (whose classes have disillusioned you) had to pay $350 + a considerable monthly fee, to get licensed and use the trademark logo and official, promotional (hyped) material without getting sued by Beto Perez. Just ask your local, respected dance or aerobics teacher to run a class using genuine Latin American music, non stop for 30 minutes, including proper anatomical warm up, stretching, strengthening and stamina increasing .... you have no one to blame but yourself if you don't sweat!

[SlackSally]

Wow, begonya, that's extremely patronising.

I do Zumba, and I do sweat (it's in a boiling room, everyone does). There is a massive difference between the way I do it and the way some others do it. I am jumping around, almost non-stop for nearly an hour. Others vaguely wave their arms around a bit.

I think the attitude of 'aw, let the fatties have their pretend exercise' is horrible. And the not very covert boasting about how terribly fit you are. Well, good for you. So are plenty of people at Zumba.

[mickeyjohn]

ACtually, it's only a one day training course, and £20 a month for the DVDs and Cds and promo stuff which is actually pretty good for what you get.......(I know, cos I am an instructor!) If it gets people who wouldn't otherwise exercise off their sofas and moving for an hour then it's gotta be good!! Doesn't matter if you don't like it, just go to a different type of class you DO like! there's plenty out there!!

[smartyparts]

I agree it's a fad and my mate who teaches it thinks the same.

But it is fun and suitable for all and it gets lots of people doing it that might not otherwise exercise. At my gym it's always packed with the bigger and or older women - all having a ball.

[madmax41]

Ladies ladies, I'm so sorry that you've had cr£p classes and can't understand what Zumba is all about, I agree that the whoop whooping is CHEESE ON TOAST!!! (I don't do it myself, makes me feel fake) But it's a great alternative for those who don't want to go to the gym. I am an instructor, a bl00dy good one, I'm as fit as a fiddle and my clients are getting there too. I choose the music that lights my fire and my girls love it, I put them through the ringer in every class and the weight is falling off of them.

You need to find an instructor you like, this is the most important thing, otherwise you won't click with the music, or anything else.

Good luck with your exercising, what ever it is that floats your boat, go for it x

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

I hate Zumba!!

Body Combat is the way forward :)

[CressidaFitass]

I zumba at home following the Hull College video on Youtube - and have the sciatica to prove it getting too old too old

[CressidaFitass]

I bought a dvd package and it was far too hard for a beginner. I just do the second and third dances on the youtube video mentioned above which is enough for me.

[choceyes]

Completely depends on the instructor and how hard you actually do the routine.

Our instructor is FAB. Her music is not cheesy, it's more R&B, reggae, club music etc than latino. Her routines are great. A bit complicated to learn so it is a challenge and yes you have to jump and move around a LOT. You can do it her away which is very intensitve (she showed us a calorie burner type thing that she had on whilst doing the class and it showed that she burnt off nearly 700 cals in the hour long class) or the lazy way like some people do, just waving arms around and walking rather than jumping.
I sweat like a pig afterwards and I'm quite a fit person. I lost a stone in weight since starting a year ago without eating any less.

But it certainly aint a party and I agree with you OP that I don't get the FB madness about it either!