Talk to me about Zumba...

[TroublesomeEx]

That's it. I'm thinking about trying it. But I'm really worried because it all looks a bit toned and fast and glossy to me!

I'm somewhat unco-ordinated and lacking in any dancing ability. Will I be able to do it? I don't care about looking a bit of a tit to begin with.

What should I wear on my feet?

I'm 5' 3 and 10 stone 12. How many calories is it likely to burn (ball park range, not exact figure obviously!)

I keep reading about how addictive it is and how people love it. Is it true?!

TIA

I went to my first yesterday. I wore trainers.
I am not very coordinated but it doesn't matter, you don't have to follow exactly. You can put as much energy as you want e.g. when you do kicks really jump and get your leg up high or just put your foot out.
There were all shapes and sizes.
I loved it and I generally get bored with exercise.
Take lots of water-I got very hot.
No idea on calories burnt.
Do what I did, go to a pay as you go class and then if you don't like it you can do it as a one off.

It is good fun - basically just alot of dancing. Take water, wear trainers and a sports bra - I generally burn around 500 cals in a 1 hour class.

Brilliant! Thanks.

It's a PAYG class I'm going to.

Looking forward to it now

I take it you're going back then ef?

500 cal an hour sounds good to me! I'm out for lunch on Friday and feel the need to earn it first!!

Yes-I aim to be a regular-especially if it is 500cals!

You get out what you put in - so really go for it!

Fab... :) Twice a week for over a year now. Rarely miss one which for me is amazing because I do get bored of things normally. Can't comment on calories or weight loss as I use it as an excuse to eat more food!!! :) but it does tone.

I started Zumba last may and have gone from a size 24 to an 18-20 without dieting. I started out doing one class a week and moved up to three but it was a bit too much to fit in with our household issues atm. I wear capezio dance trainers to make it easier to pivot.

Put it this way, in jan 2011 i weighed 15stone 6, i did zumba twice weekly alongside LBT and a quick go in the gym after each session-I now weigh 11stone 3!!

Love it soooo much, really fun, really motivating and you WANT to go(as opposed to LBT/gym can get bit boring after few months)

I cant "dance" to save my life, but Im not particulary anal about the exact moves, as long its something vaguely like the instucters doing, Im happy.

Go, youll love it and wear trainers/scate type shoes-I found scate type shoes better as they have less grip than trainers. Take plenty of water and a towel!

I actually hated Zumba - there are a few of us. I thought the movements completely lacked control, no help, no talking by the instructor. I found the movements were monotonous. The clapping and ho ha by the instructor drove me mad. Surprisingly, I didnt like the music as I love latin, again found the tape monotonous.

Yes its fat burning but I would question the overall toning and body strength. I'd much rather LBT/ 20/20/20 and aerobics.

Surely, if your doing a class the instructor should move around the class watching for poor movements and see if anyone is struggling.

For me never to be repeated!

Do it! Zumba is fab. I do 3 classes a week. Its addictive. It will take a few months to get used to it and it doesn't matter if you get it wrong. just move and wobble your bits

I enjoyed it but it made my knees hurt so much I had to leave half way through

I've been oing to Zumba for about 2 years and I really enjoy it. Be careful about wearing trainers, though. If they have thick tread they can make your feet stick to the floor and you can twist your knees instead. That may be what happening to the poster above who got sore knees. I invested in some dance shoes (split sole) and haven't had sore knees since. I got mine from a local dance shop but you can get them from Amazon:

www.amazon.co.uk/Capezio-Womens-Web-Dance-Trainer/dp/B002COI2IO

I got sore knees because I have no cartilage left in one of them and wear an open patella brace even when doing yoga :-)

but yes, the zumba addicts say that smooth soled shoes help

Aaww - that's a shame, TalkinPeace, especially if you were enjoying the class. My DH has had cartilage problems and operations - very painful.

I think that I will get some dance shoes-thanks for the link.

Ooh not long to go.

Feeling excited now.

I did wonder about the whole dance shoe thing. Don't really think I should wear my running trainers then!!

bacon yeah I seemed to remember hearing some people who weren't so keen which is one of the reasons I posted. Seems to be a bit of a marmite activity I think!

Not sure I'd manage 3 classes a week, but yes, at around 500 cals a time I shall definitely be giving it my all.

Talkinpeace, that is my worry about doing zumba. I have knackered knees cartilage wise and twist movements can be risky.
I'd love to give Zumba a go, but don't know if it would be ok with my knees. Shame because it sounds great.

Selks
give it a go but be willing to walk out if it starts to hurt - tell the instructor up front