***Zumba*** - Fresno,CA

i've done the dvd's and took classes. the classes are WAY more fun. it's true, sometimes you feel silly. BUT it's fun. and everyone in the class is feeling silly and acting goofy together.

I love the zumba dvds. They are a lot of fun and a good workout. It can be difficult to learn some of the moves so even if you have to do the same song over and over until you get it. you still are working out. I would add more/better/different strength training to it though.

I do it at the local YMCA and like it a lot. You can google and watch some routines (zumba with Davida is fun). See if there are any classes locally and maybe ask if you can try a class. It takes a little while to get the moves, so don't give up if you feel clumsy. Concentrate on moving your legs when you first start. When you get comfortable with what your legs are doing, then add in arm motions.

I have a couple of Zumba games for the xbox kinect system. (Pretty much the same as doing a DVD, but it "corrects" your form. I have also tried a DVD before I was given the games, because I thought it looked fun.

It is more fun than a traditional workout. My 4 yo daughter LOVES doing it with me, but it's more of a play thing than exercise. It is really hard to learn the steps from the games or DVD even in the "learning" mode. So, if my daughter is stuck inside or just wants to be crazy with Mommy, we play Zumba and I get the added bonus of a bit of cardio. If I want to get a workout, I follow along a few workout apps I have instead. They are much more effective than Zumba. (Though, I imagine if you went to a gym and took a class to learn the steps/proper form, it would be quite a bit more effective.)

I have the dvd set with a weight but have only been able to watch the basic dvd with the moves to learn. I plan to get into it this week. All of my friends love it. Some started with dvds with others started at the gym just joining a class and catching on. I got my dvds through Amazon, it was a little cheaper that way than the infomercial.

I've done it in classes at the gym. I like the social aspect of it and the fact that the instructor mixes up the steps and songs from class to class. It's incredibly good exercise (cardio and muscle) and I find I'm dripping wet. It's certainly something you can do even if you're not very good at it - does that make sense? A lot of us aren't so skilled at it but we keep moving so it's aerobic and we laugh at our poor form. You definitely need some space for it.

I've had instructors who had a very Latin style, and others who didn't. I've had some who are more dance oriented and others who are less graceful and use something more like standard aerobics. I've used Latin music, and standard rock music. I've also had instructors throw in some Indian-style movements that aren't Latin at all. It doesn't matter as long as you have variety.

What you might do is borrow a couple of DVDs from the public library - either they have some or they can get them on interlibrary loan. That way you don't lay out any cash, you try it and make sure you can stick with it. Then you can buy something from the same instructor as the one on the DVD you borrowed. Be careful with infomercials - like anything, they often try to get you with multiple purchases and a high shipping/handling charge. So be sure you know what you're getting.

It's aerobic but you still need to do something with weights to build muscle and to ward off osteoporosis, so don't make this your only form of exercise. But that goes for anything you would try.

Mainly, if it makes you get up and MOVE, it's probably a good thing.

I love, love, love Zumba!! You have to be able to laugh at yourself, but definitely give it a try!

It is!

I suggest you turn your TV to some infomercial while they're doing it. Try to follow along for a few seconds at a time. See if it is fun for you.

I found DVD's at my local library. I borrowed them to see if I liked it. Then I got a DVD at Hastings that was used. It was, I think, $6.

I've been to a few classes and they have been fun.