Zumba

[snug.bunny]

Has anyone gotten into Zumba and if so how much weight have you lost?

 

Here is an example if you haven't heard of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnMYxUK-40

 

I want to lose about 7 lbs. and I enjoy the workout but I find the steps to be hard to learn at first. The instructor in my class goes fast and I get frustrated! My aunt's friend has been doing it for three months and has lost over 30 pounds, and I've done some research online, so it does seem to work.

[ShatteredReality]

How long have you been doing it and how many classes per week? Also, have you been going to different instructors?

 

I LOVE Zumba. I haven't gone in about a month and a half - been busy. I miss it terribly. It becomes an addiction. I lost 8lbs doing it, though, Once a week and sometimes twice a week.

 

I'll be honest, it takes about two months to learn the moves with one instructor. I have been doing it since December of last year and have hopped to a few different classes to find my right fit. The gal I go to now, I am able to go at my pace while she kicks up her pace for the more advanced folks in the class. Also, my PT told me to avoid some of the hops and jumps, so I have dialed some of her moves down to be a little less taxing on my hips - sucks cause I love doing the hip thrusts and stuff.

 

There is a guy here locally who teaches it - he's lost over 100lbs and has been doing it 2 yrs. If you're looking to lost 10lbs or less Zumba will work for you. It helps the curves all be in the right places too.

[snug.bunny]

I just started two weeks ago and go twice a week, for an hour. I am digging it too, it's so much fun!!! :bunny: The steps are challenging, but I like it because it is dance oriented and covers a variety of dance genres.

 

Some of them I can do no problem but others I have difficulty with (especially the merengue moves because they are so fast!!). I am at a healthy weight, but I would like to slim down/tone up and I can certainly see how the "Zumba" works all the right places!

 

Good to hear you enjoy it too and had success with it!

[Taramere]

Has anyone gotten into Zumba and if so how much weight have you lost?

 

Here is an example if you haven't heard of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnMYxUK-40

 

I want to lose about 7 lbs. and I enjoy the workout but I find the steps to be hard to learn at first. The instructor in my class goes fast and I get frustrated! My aunt's friend has been doing it for three months and has lost over 30 pounds, and I've done some research online, so it does seem to work.

 

I went to a class recently. I was astounded by how energetic it was. I'll have to do a few before I can really report on it...but so far I'm predicting it will be the most effective class I've ever taken.

[snug.bunny]

I went to a class recently. I was astounded by how energetic it was.

 

Yes, it is very energetic. That's part of the appeal...the dancing combined with the music gets the people going!! I went out this weekend with my friends, and we went dancing which is something I haven't done in a while, and I found myself aerobicizing for two hours straight. I finally had to take a break because my chest started hurting and I was having trouble breathing. I was trying to incorporate the Zumba.

 

I need to learn how to pace myself better during the class because I am high energy for about 75% of it and then I poop myself out. I'll get shooting pains in my stomach and not be able to fully resume which makes the work out ineffective.

 

I'll have to do a few before I can really report on it...but so far I'm predicting it will be the most effective class I've ever taken.

 

I hope to hear it works out for you.

[Star Gazer]

I go, 1-2x a week, as a compliment to my other workouts. I haven't lost any weight at all from it, but have definitely developed some stronger core muscles.

 

Honestly, it's great cardio if you do it at FULL, HIGH intensity (I leave DRENCHED in sweat like you wouldn't believe!!), but from what I've seen at my studio, those losing significant weight doing Zumba are the already very large women who were pretty much stationary couch potatoes before walking into the studio. Someone with 7 pounds to lose - like you, or me - probably won't shed that weight with Zumba, particularly if you're already physically active.

[snug.bunny]

I go, 1-2x a week, as a compliment to my other workouts. I haven't lost any weight at all from it, but have definitely developed some stronger core muscles.

 

Honestly, it's great cardio if you do it at FULL, HIGH intensity (I leave DRENCHED in sweat like you wouldn't believe!!), but from what I've seen at my studio, those losing significant weight doing Zumba are the already very large women who were pretty much stationary couch potatoes before walking into the studio. Someone with 7 pounds to lose - like you, or me - probably won't shed that weight with Zumba, particularly if you're already physically active.

 

Yay another Zumba fan.

 

I definitely could use the cardiovascular building, I think I am going to incorporate Pilates inbetween which I used to do religiously and definitely found it to be effective. I suppose it's harder for someone to shed a few extra pounds versus when there is a significant amount of excess weight. I really just need to tone up the jiggly areas and build up my cardiovascular for overall health. I've already noticed a slight difference, mainly my face (of all places) and a small difference around my waist. I enjoy the class regardless and I want to master all the cool dance moves.

[Taramere]

Yes, it is very energetic. That's part of the appeal...the dancing combined with the music gets the people going!! I went out this weekend with my friends, and we went dancing which is something I haven't done in a while, and I found myself aerobicizing for two hours straight. I finally had to take a break because my chest started hurting and I was having trouble breathing. I was trying to incorporate the Zumba.

 

I need to learn how to pace myself better during the class because I am high energy for about 75% of it and then I poop myself out. I'll get shooting pains in my stomach and not be able to fully resume which makes the work out ineffective.

 

 

 

I hope to hear it works out for you.

 

I have to admit, I missed it last week because it clashed with something else...but I'm definitely going again this week. The good thing about it is that it's making me work harder on other kinds of training, because the dancing is fun and something I want to increase my fitness for.

[snug.bunny]

I have to admit, I missed it last week because it clashed with something else...but I'm definitely going again this week. The good thing about it is that it's making me work harder on other kinds of training, because the dancing is fun and something I want to increase my fitness for.

 

Oh Tara.

 

I'd like to have something like this routine mastered...

 

 

Zumba incorporates a majority of the moves as exampled in the video, but I'll need a dance trainer if I really want to accomplish it. We'll see.

[Taramere]

Oh Tara.

 

I'd like to have something like this routine mastered...

 

 

Zumba incorporates a majority of the moves as exampled in the video, but I'll need a dance trainer if I really want to accomplish it. We'll see.

 

That looks really good. I'm not sure I can envisage the bunch I took a class with mastering that. I couldn't figure out why I kept having to take short breaks when I was one of the thinner ones in the class (that wasn't saying much, I'm afraid)...but then when I took a look at some of the other participants instead of the instructor, I started to realise. A lot of them weren't doing anything that remotely resembled the moves of the instructor.

 

A friend of mine is a former ballet dancer, and she's been taking Zumba classes elsewhere in the city. I said to her that I expected she was the star pupil, but she said "far from it." It's such a different style - and the punchy, jiggly moves are everything that her poker-faced teachers would have yelled at them for.

 

Separately, she has some serious control issues (not towards other people, but towards herself) and I think those classes will be good for her. Beautiful though ballet looks, it's not a dance style that's very considerate of the health and welfare of its practitioners. Latin American dance style seems like a far healthier and more fun style I think.

 

I also took some ceroc classes a while back. I stopped going as the friend I was going with hurt herself (in another activity) and we got out of the way of it...but I think I might go back. Those classes were a lot of fun too. Plus there were men present! There was one guy in the Zumba class, and he sloped off after the first 5 minutes. I'm glad you posted this, as it's reminded me to book the class for this week.

[snug.bunny]

That looks really good. I'm not sure I can envisage the bunch I took a class with mastering that. I couldn't figure out why I kept having to take short breaks when I was one of the thinner ones in the class (that wasn't saying much, I'm afraid)...but then when I took a look at some of the other participants instead of the instructor, I started to realise. A lot of them weren't doing anything that remotely resembled the moves of the instructor.

 

A friend of mine is a former ballet dancer, and she's been taking Zumba classes elsewhere in the city. I said to her that I expected she was the star pupil, but she said "far from it." It's such a different style - and the punchy, jiggly moves are everything that her poker-faced teachers would have yelled at them for.

 

Separately, she has some serious control issues (not towards other people, but towards herself) and I think those classes will be good for her. Beautiful though ballet looks, it's not a dance style that's very considerate of the health and welfare of its practitioners. Latin American dance style seems like a far healthier and more fun style I think.

 

I also took some ceroc classes a while back. I stopped going as the friend I was going with hurt herself (in another activity) and we got out of the way of it...but I think I might go back. Those classes were a lot of fun too. Plus there were men present! There was one guy in the Zumba class, and he sloped off after the first 5 minutes. I'm glad you posted this, as it's reminded me to book the class for this week.

 

The second link I posted is much more extreme and is a combination of Hip Hop and Jazz. The instructor teaches a combination of those two dance styles specifically which involves a LOT of choreography, learning the choreography would take hours and hours of practice and would need to be trained on those steps specifically. Different from the concept of "Zumba", but I do see some of the dance combinations implemented during the classes.

 

I find myself having to take a short break 45 minutes into it, I think once we become familiar with the routines, learn to pace ourselves, and build up to it, we'll be fine. Being thinner means nothing in terms of cardio, I took a hip hop class once, taught by a woman who I'd say was between 250-300 pounds, and she kicked everyone's butt!

 

And it is such a different style from ballet, ballet involves fluidity and flexibility whereas something like the second link I posted involves fluidity with your entire body but the overall movements are controlled. Watching ballet dancers dance, is an art form in itself, very beautiful!!!

 

Speaking of men, I think there are three men in this video, and they have it down pat!!

[Star Gazer]

Oh Tara.

 

I'd like to have something like this routine mastered...

 

 

Zumba incorporates a majority of the moves as exampled in the video, but I'll need a dance trainer if I really want to accomplish it. We'll see.

 

My Zumba doesn't look like that at all!

 

It's more like... 5 or 6 moves max, repeated in different ways, for each song (and then a different 5 or 6 moves for the next song, and so on). We don't do entire choreographed songs.

[snug.bunny]

My Zumba doesn't look like that at all!

 

It's more like... 5 or 6 moves max, repeated in different ways, for each song (and then a different 5 or 6 moves for the next song, and so on). We don't do entire choreographed songs.

 

Mine does segments broken down into 5-6 songs, similar to what you said, but my instructor includes other types of dance. The link you quoted (the one I listed), involves Hip Hop/Jazz choreography, something I would need to focus on specifically (Hip Hop/Jazz) separate from Zumba. Zumba is mainly salsa, merengue, reggaeton but some of the instructors (mine included) throw in hip hop dance, jazz moves and even some middle eastern dance.

 

The instructor in the video is incredible (she has been dancing since the age of 4 I think). Dance

 

To learn that one 50 second segment will take several months to learn.

Edited October 21, 2011 by snug.bunny

[Taramere]

I must confess, I've skipped classes last week and the week before....but the timing was bad and clashes with this business networking thing I do. However, I'm changing gyms and I see the super dooper new place has three zumba classes per week...so there'll be no excuse.

[snug.bunny]

I must confess, I've skipped classes last week and the week before....but the timing was bad and clashes with this business networking thing I do.

 

It's okay, I forgive you.

 

However, I'm changing gyms and I see the super dooper new place has three zumba classes per week...so there'll be no excuse.

 

Super duper!!

 

Here's another vid to get you motivated :bunny:

 

(check out how the blonde guy shakes his fanny )

[Star Gazer]

To learn that one 50 second segment will take several months to learn.

 

No, you or I could learn that in a few days. I go to a fitness dance studio (professional dancers/cheerleaders go there for dance workouts, as do lay people with some dance interest or background), and that's the kind of stuff we do. I just wouldn't call it Zumba.

 

Break it down into 8 counts with beat or lyric triggers, and it's a lot easier to learn.

[snug.bunny]

No, you or I could learn that in a few days. I go to a fitness dance studio (professional dancers/cheerleaders go there for dance workouts, as do lay people with some dance interest or background), and that's the kind of stuff we do. I just wouldn't call it Zumba.

 

Break it down into 8 counts with beat or lyric triggers, and it's a lot easier to learn.

 

If you can learn that choreography in a few days, that's impressive!!!...and, I'd like to see a video of it. It can't be "white girl" movements either. The movements have to flow, like this:

 

 

(I'm white too, well moreso tan, but I struggle with some of the moves not coming off as "stiff")

[Taramere]

It's okay, I forgive you.

 

 

 

Super duper!!

 

Here's another vid to get you motivated :bunny:

 

(check out how the blonde guy shakes his fanny )

 

Haha. I got a bit of a start when you said that..and then I remembered that fanny means something different in the US.

[snug.bunny]

Haha. I got a bit of a start when you said that..and then I remembered that fanny means something different in the US.

 

Haha....

 

What does fanny stand for in your neck of the woods? Yes, fanny = butt in the USA. Have you ever heard of a fanny pack?

[Taramere]

Haha....

 

What does fanny stand for in your neck of the woods? Yes, fanny = butt in the USA. Have you ever heard of a fanny pack?

 

I was going to mention Fanny packs. I took my niece and nephew to see some yogi bear film a couple of weeks ago, and there was a mention of fanny-packs. My niece gave me her dramatic look. A bit like this...

 

 

Fanny in British slang (Aussies and Kiwis use this version too) is a vagina.

[snug.bunny]

I was going to mention Fanny packs. I took my niece and nephew to see some yogi bear film a couple of weeks ago, and there was a mention of fanny-packs. My niece gave me her dramatic look. A bit like this...

 

 

Fanny in British slang (Aussies and Kiwis use this version too) is a vagina.

 

:laugh::laugh:

 

Oh no. My use of the word "fanny" def was not referring to vagina.

[Star Gazer]

If you can learn that choreography in a few days, that's impressive!!!...and, I'd like to see a video of it. It can't be "white girl" movements either. The movements have to flow, like this:

 

 

(I'm white too, well moreso tan, but I struggle with some of the moves not coming off as "stiff")

 

Honestly, you're not giving yourself enough credit. I really think you could learn the routine in that link in about 1-2 hours... as can her other students, who are in the video with her. She teaches classes. Typically how those kinds of classes work is you spend an hour learning the choreography, and the last 15-30 minutes perfecting the entire routine/bringing it all together. Looks like that's exactly what she does, and the video is just her capturing the very end when they all "get it."

 

Fluidity is something I struggle with too...

[snug.bunny]

Honestly, you're not giving yourself enough credit. I really think you could learn the routine in that link in about 1-2 hours... as can her other students, who are in the video with her. She teaches classes. Typically how those kinds of classes work is you spend an hour learning the choreography, and the last 15-30 minutes perfecting the entire routine/bringing it all together. Looks like that's exactly what she does, and the video is just her capturing the very end when they all "get it."

 

Fluidity is something I struggle with too...

 

Awe, thanks I appreciate the vote of confidence.

 

If I dedicate an entire day, then maybe it's possible. I'm going to ease into it for now.

 

Tonight is zumba class, so I am going to practice my fluidity through some of the movements and see how it goes. Viva la Zumba!!!

[Taramere]

Awe, thanks I appreciate the vote of confidence.

 

If I dedicate an entire day, then maybe it's possible. I'm going to ease into it for now.

 

Tonight is zumba class, so I am going to practice my fluidity through some of the movements and see how it goes. Viva la Zumba!!!

 

How's it coming along, snug.bunny? I wasn't able to book onto a class this week at the new place. All classes fully booked for the entire week, but I'm booked on for next week. I can see I'll need to be very quick on the mark to get a place. I think it's the same story all over my city. There's a really high demand for Zumba teachers right now.

[snug.bunny]

How's it coming along, snug.bunny? I wasn't able to book onto a class this week at the new place. All classes fully booked for the entire week, but I'm booked on for next week. I can see I'll need to be very quick on the mark to get a place. I think it's the same story all over my city. There's a really high demand for Zumba teachers right now.

 

Zumba is coming along nicely ...I am starting to get the choreography down and feeling more fluidity with the movements. :bunny: I'm really enjoying the classes and they get easier as far as not overexerting myself but instead learning to pace myself so that I can maximize its effectiveness. I've only lost three pounds though since , but I only want to lose about 5 more.

 

That stinks all the classes are booked by you. Boo! I know they have DVD's you can do at home, but doing it in a class setting is really a lot more fun and..inspirational!

 

I hope something opens up for you soon...Let me know how it goes!!