Zumba anyone?

[zinhaa 363]

Zumba is fun. Everyone goes at their own rate. Gets you moving and it is fun. Don't be fooled you work your butt off. There are people of all shapes and sizes.

Go and enjoy you'll get hooked.

wendy

[Melissannde 41]

I have arthritis in both of my knees...Zumba looks so fun but I haven't tried it because I worry that it might be hard on my knees. What do you think? Is it hard on the knees?

Vicky, While I haven't been diagnosed with arthritis in my knees, I definitely have some pain issues going on. Yes, Zumba CAN be hard on the knees, esp if you have an instructor who is big on jumping.

I have two pieces of advice:

1) look for some kind of dance shoe. Nike I think makes one called Musique or something like that. One of my instructors has a shoe that is really unique by the name of GlaGlas. I wear my old New Balances that are worn enough that they don't have as much traction as they used to.. you want a shoe that will slide just a bit. A split sole might also be useful, but not mandatory. Talk to some of the instructors and see what they suggest.

2) Look for a Zumba Gold class. Zumba Gold is basically a low impact class. I've done both regular Zumba and Zumba Gold and I actually got more out of the Zumba Gold. If there's not a Zumba Gold class in your area, modify the regular Zumba. If the instructor does jumps, you stay on the ground. If they do side steps with twisting motions with the knees, just do the side steps without the twist. These are things that I do and no one has any problem with me not doing the steps exactly as the instructor does.

I also take a dose of Tylenol before dancing.

If you think Zumba might be too much, at least for now, you might like Yoga or Pilates. I find that these are excellent for making me more limber.

[peacequeen 434]

I'm disabled, I have a form of muscular distrophy called Myasthenia Gravis. I can't do anything high impact. This sounds crazy coming from a fat lady but I found a dance that I love..belly dancing. I bought Amira's dvd, the beginning level and she is amazing. The dance is actually designed for people who carry some weight. I'm not great at it yet but I really enjoy it. It's totally low impact and the it focuses on isolated movement. You think your not even working out but you'll feel it the next day.lol I'm not ready for the cute little costumes but look out!lol

My niece does Zumba..she carries some weight but she's young and healthy..she loves it. She said it has really toned her butt and legs.

[tntbelt 1]

I took my first Zumba class on Monday 3 weeks post op and I loved it. It was a good mix of different weights and all were running to their Water in between songs. I really surprised myself and did much better than I thought I would. It was so much fun and I can't wait til I go back tomorrow. I could do most moves after much trial and error but I didn't do any of the jumping, I just hopped onto my tip toes or walked it depending on what it was. I am too big, out of shape, and recent surgery, so I just modified the jumping and there wasnt too much jumping. The instructor briefly went over the dance moves before each song. It was great and I know if I had been by myself doing any type of exercise, I would have not done an entire hour. I would have not pushed myself like I did in the class.

[lakegirl88 13]

Well its all been said.

I love Zumba I try to go 4 days a week. I really dont like one of the two instructors. But I go just for the work out. Yes Dance shoes are every thing. I would not try without them if you have bad knees.

I was out of town for the holidays., and when I returned the classes with my fav instrutor was so packed.

Oh well New Years. hopefuly it will get a little less full. Just go have fun it is really a judgement free zone, So what if you dont get all the steps . at least your doing it when was the last time i danced for over an hour.

Go ZUMBA.

Maybe some day I will be in Zumba clothes. I Wil I will.!!!!!!!!!!!

3/11/10

[msdeevee 0]

Wow, I loved this thread.

I've been looking for an exercise that I can do and really work up a sweat and burn some fat.

Also hoping for something that will become addictive and I will want to do it all the time.

I just bought my dance Nikes because I tried doing turbo Jam today and my knees are aching now.

I already have the Zumba DVDs and Zumba Kinect. Now I just have to find a class .

I checked on Zumba.com and there is one within walking distance of my home. I hope they just let you pay for the class and not the whole gym membership.

Thanks for the info everybody.

[KimK813 2]

OK, went to my first Zumba class Monday and I LOVED it! There is another one tonight. Last night, I played Dance 2 on the Wii for almost 2 hours, so I am definintely getting my cardio in! Thanks for the advice!

[adriennemarie 0]

ZUMBA IS AMAZING! before my surgery i was going almost 7 days a week, and i plan to start up again as soon as i get the green light from my surgeon! Dont worry about the moves, i myself never considered myself a dancer or even coordinated enough to dance, but trust me, the more you go, you WILL pick up on the moves! and the more you pick up on the moves, the more intensity you can put into it, and the more calories you can burn! its true, no one is looking at you or judging you to see if you're doing it right! every class ive gone to there has always been more than one newbie who seemed lost at first, but its really no big deal! we've all been there. the whole point of zumba is to have FUN while working out! its a party! its okay to laugh and be silly as long as you keep moving! i encourage everyone to check it out, and even try different locations and instructors because everyone is different. its SO much better than an hour on a treadmill.