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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think Zumba is shit.

63 replies

inyurdreams · 27/02/2016 20:51

Just that really.
Friends have nagged me for ages to go to Zumba with them, so I finally caved and went to a class today and hated it.
It was the longest hour of my life.

And breathe

I like a dance as much as the next person, but the instructor seemed to assume that we were all experts.

OP posts:

Sallygoroundthemoon · 27/02/2016 21:49

Inyourdreams - if you did a couple of spin and circuits classes a week, that would definitely change your shape (if you watch you food intake too )

MrsMook · 27/02/2016 21:52

Clubbercise is the new big thing. Glow sticks, 90s dance music. Move over Zumba!

For results I favour circuits type classes. As you progress, you naturally push to the next stage. I've found with aerobic based routines, once your body's adapted, it stagnates at that level. It is still exercise and positive for health but not pushing change to the body.

didldidi · 27/02/2016 21:59

What is pyro?

Original poster

inyurdreams · 27/02/2016 22:05

Clubbercise sounds good, but unfortunately I live in the arse end of beyond, so anything remotely new usually reaches us 5 years later.
That's why zumba is still going strong. My fitness center is overrun with zumba classes.

Sallygoround, I've had my eye on Circuits. I might take the plunge.

OP posts:

Original poster

inyurdreams · 27/02/2016 22:07

Are circuits suitable for all ages?
I'm mid 40's but fairly fit (ish)

I don't want to join something and have them secretly thinking what's this ole gimmer person doing here!

OP posts:

Ledkr · 27/02/2016 22:09

I was going to teach clubbercise but the outlay is quite huge and it would take ages to re coup the money.its really good tho if anyone gets the chance.

mumofthemonsters808 · 27/02/2016 23:30

I meant to type piyo, apparently it's a mixture of pilates and yoga, I've not tried it but i keep hearing about it.It promotes the core strength associated with Pilates combined with the flexibility offered with yoga. I don't know if it's a fad, but around here it's the in buzz word.
Ive never done clubbercise, but I have tried circuits. I think it's something you either love or hate, There's not an age limit to it, if you're relatively fit it's worth a go.For me, it was a bit repetitive and meaningless.
I went to my first kicking boxing session last week and even though it killed me, I loved it.I must admit to feeling very uncomfortable with all the boxing geezers when I first walked in, but I really got into it and forgot they were even there, I was concentrating that much. The staff were so friendly, patient and helpful. I was not very good at it but I'm definately going back.
It's so important to find the right exercise and I truly believe there is something for everyone, regardless of size. It does also depend upon what you are wanting to achieve.Finding a class with a good instructor is then the next step, it makes one hell of a difference.

rookiemere · 27/02/2016 23:40

I tried piyo - it wasn't for me. Pilates moves needed more instruction to get any benefit, but they had to be rushed through along with some half hearted punching.
Mind you I didn't enjoy zumba at all the time I tried it. Heart rate didn't get over 100 the entire session.
I now do reasonably hard core lifting at the gym based on a program from my personal trainer. I go 3 times a week, and after being a gym/class attendee for many years and not seeing much difference, I'm now seeing a noticeable difference to my definition after 3 months. I'd see a lot more if I ate less .
Having said that, anything is better than nothing and some people seem to love ZUMBa so if it gets non exercisers to start doing some exercise then that's definitely a good thing.

LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 27/02/2016 23:47

It took me about 3 sessions to start getting the routines at Zumba, but I decided it didn't matter as long as I kept moving. I found it fun and I could keep going through the hour, so it worked for me.

I think it must vary a lot with different instructors though. We all worked up quite a sweat in my class.

cazzyg · 28/02/2016 04:40

High intensity interval classes have worked well for me and made a massive differenceQ to my fitness and shape.

I'd look for something HIIT based such as metafit

lertgush · 28/02/2016 04:52

I've done loads of different zumba classes and they're mostly quite different depending on the instructor. My favourite one is in a huge rollerskating rink with disco lights and 100+ people. They play songs from the 70s (full-on Saturday Night Fever moves) to current stuff. The moves are really simple and fun and you come out quite knackered.

tkndnv · 28/02/2016 05:51

I agree. I found I hardly broke a sweat as I was so busy trying to figure out the moves. But I really dislike exercise classes so I'm probably biased!

didldidi · 28/02/2016 08:58

Ah piyo I have heard of that! That roller skating one sounds good.

ToastDemon · 28/02/2016 09:01

I tried Body Jam and walked out half way through as I couldn't follow the moves, so I doubt Zumba would be for me, don't fancy it at all so you've confirmed what I think!

rookiemere · 28/02/2016 12:23

It's funny - my personal trainer is very sniffy about classes ( as you would be if you're convincing people that they need to pay ££ for your services) so now I've become fairly disdainful of them as well.

Some of the gym floor based ones are ok I think as they involve using some equipment for extra intensity, but I did Metafit for about 2 years and didn't see a damn difference to my body at all, whereas weight training is much more satisfactory ( not BodyPump though - don't get him started on Body Pump !).

ToastDemon · 28/02/2016 12:26

What did he say about Body Pump rookie? I'm curious. I used to love it but I must say I'm seeing better results now in a small group with an instructor that mixes it up a lot, like group personal training sessions effectively.

Pidapie · 28/02/2016 12:31

Haha! I love ot personally

Birdsgottafly · 28/02/2016 12:31

""Are circuits suitable for all ages?""

Inyour I was 46 and five stone overweight, last year.

I worked up to circuit training, you have to if your more than two stone overweight and in your 40's to protect your knees.

I used My Fitness Pal and lost three stone, used weights, as well and lost five stone.

There are Women (I'm assuming that you are female) that take up training at all ages and sizes.

You've got to take advice and be prepared to start carefully, but you can get to a high fitness level.

Mermaid36 · 28/02/2016 12:37

I've been doing zumba for about 6 years and I love it. But I've been in some awful classes with rubbish instructors....

My current classes are run by an ex-professional ice skater, who was on Dancing on Ice. He's a great dancer and very motivational. His routines are pretty easy to follow as well. There is a good range of ages and abilities in the classes.

I'm still doing a class a week despite being pregnant, I've just brought it down a level. I definitely did change shape going to 3 classes a week (before pregnancy)

rookiemere · 28/02/2016 12:45

Toastdemon - basically Body Pump is a bit ineffective as to see good results from weight training it's much better - and quicker - to do low reps with high weights whereas Body Pump is the opposite of that.

Also as it's a large class and everything is done fairly quickly, participants may not be using good form which is hard on your back and knees.

I've also read some studies that suggested that despite people attending Body Pump regularly there was little difference to body composition so little muscle increase and no body fat reduction.

I can see why - I use a heart rate monitor and sometimes in my weight training sessions my HR can go up to about 150, whereas with Bodypump it was generally around 90-110.

Having said that I think it's a good way into weights, it does have some toning effect and if you wanted to spend an hour at a class, then for my money it's a better investment than Zumba, piyo or the latest craze at our gym which looks like Zumba in the dark with glow sticks .

Oh also I'm still quite fat, so perhaps someone elses advice might be better.

Destinysdaughter · 28/02/2016 12:52

Am going to try Clubbercise as never heard of it before. Dancing in the dark, sounds right up my street! Thanks for this thread.

ToastDemon · 28/02/2016 12:54

Thanks rookie that's interesting. It makes sense as I thought my fitness was okay because I did a lot of pump, only to discover with the new trainer that my core strength was non-existent! And yes was only really squats that raised my heart rate during the class.

Laughing at the glow sticks thingy

unimaginativename13 · 28/02/2016 13:09

I'm doing clubbercise, some person does it as Zumba.

I find the routines really hard to follow (and I used to dance) she shows you one bit then you repeat then she breaks off into her own world.

Lots of jumping too which takes its toll on my joints.

Also I disliked the front row of groupies

Destinysdaughter · 28/02/2016 13:15

I think I'll just hang about in the back and do my own thing! ( another advantage of being in the dark...)

KatharinaRosalie · 28/02/2016 13:28

If you want to work on your core strength, I would add CXWORX class to your Bodypump. Of course weight training with a persona trainer will get better results, but a lot of people like the group element of the class.

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