[KaylaChristine]

I've been doing a fair amount of Zumba and Pilates lately and man, it's REALLY working my abs and my body. The area right under my breasts is getting defined and I even have a little dent in the middle in that area. I can also feel my ribs a lot more.

I'm mainly doing Zumba approximately 5-6 days a week. I'm currently only doing the 20 minute zumba basics workout, but it's still kicking my butt. I need to work up to doing longer sessions, just trying to get my asthma under check, it has definitely improved over time though. I can get through an exercise without using it more than once. I do a 30 minute Pilates workout approx. 3 days a week, it's one that works your abs/butt/thighs. I feel so much stronger!

I highly suggest this! It's giving me so much more energy.

Anyone else do a workout plan similar to this?

I'm hoping to get Zumba Fitness 2 soon for the Wii.

[cfan]

I was actually planning to start a regimen exactly like this come Jan. The only thing was I was planning to add Hip-Hop abs to this to cycle off the Pilates, since my stomach is the place I need to lose the most weight. I have a question for you then...what about your lower abs, are you seeing a marked difference around and below your belly button? That's the area I need to work on...

[MissPenchi]

I have a question about the zumba videos!
I was thinking of getting them but I'm a little nervous to. I have other dance workout videos but they are...they are just awful. They say they are for beginners but they move so fast and hardly explain how to do the moves. So I fall so far behind while I'm trying to figure them out.

How is zumba with that? Also, are any of the moves that they teach actually applicable at a dance club? XD

[Lizz]

Originally Posted by MissPenchi

I have a question about the zumba videos!
I was thinking of getting them but I'm a little nervous to. I have other dance workout videos but they are...they are just awful. They say they are for beginners but they move so fast and hardly explain how to do the moves. So I fall so far behind while I'm trying to figure them out.

How is zumba with that? Also, are any of the moves that they teach actually applicable at a dance club? XD

I got the zumba DVD kit (I think 4 DVDs. in total) about half a year ago and was very excited at the time! The first gives a very simple and step-by-step break down called "Easy beats" of perhaps 3-4 different moves of approx. 6 different dances. (Not sure if I am right about the exact numbers but at least that is how I recall it today.) After doing these 3-4 times I felt that I had a good basic grasp of those moves, speaking as a person who has never danced before in clubs or such, so cannot comment on their usefulness for club dance either.

The DVD kit also included a 20 minute express work-out that builds on these basic moves and was relatively easy to follow for me after the second time around.

One DVD of the kit I really liked was with toning sticks (kind of like 1 lbs (or less?) dumb bells and you can shake them and make a sizzling sound). These sticks came with the DVD kit. The workout lasted a little less than an hour and gave a good overall exercise once I was ready for something more challenging than the 20 minutes express. It was not difficult for me to follow.

There is also a one hour DVD with cardio focus and includes, though not exclusively, some moves and steps not taught in the "Easy beat" beginner section. I found this the most difficult and challenging to follow.

The DVD kit also included a live zumba party, basically a close to one hour zumba class where there is a real live class recorded and not just the instructors dancing as in the other DVDs. This is one I have not used so cannot comment on it either.

Overall, my personal impression was that the DVD kit is good for beginners who are looking for an upbeat way of easing into some dancing exercise. The instructors are encouraging, energetic and I have found that this made exercising easier. I also loved that they emphasised that everyone has their own personal style in dancing/doing zumba and that made for a very relaxed atmosphere for me without much of a pressure or fear of "failure" or doing things wrong which I really appreciated.

To be honest, my DVD kit has not seen much work out after the first 3 weeks or so as I have grown more and more comfortable with visiting the gym, I have developed a preference for live zumba classes. I enjoy the variety in music and also the aspect of pushing myself to get out more and socialise a bit, though if I did not have easy gym access for whatever reason, I think the DVD kit would be a good alternative for another month or two.

Not sure if this helps but I hope so.

[MissPenchi]

Thank you Lizz,that actually does help a bit.
I'm fairly...horrid at dancing. I dont think Im actually going to buy zumba though. I'll probably check the library or borrow it from a friend and test it out that way. It just seems like something that I wouldnt do after a few weeks and I dont want to spend a ton of money if I am not going to continue using it.

[KaylaChristine]

Originally Posted by cfan

I was actually planning to start a regimen exactly like this come Jan. The only thing was I was planning to add Hip-Hop abs to this to cycle off the Pilates, since my stomach is the place I need to lose the most weight. I have a question for you then...what about your lower abs, are you seeing a marked difference around and below your belly button? That's the area I need to work on...

I haven't had much difference in my lower abs yet. I'm needing to find another good workout to add into it to work them. My lower ones also need a lot of work done. Let me know if you find a good work out that works your lower abs please!

Originally Posted by MissPenchi

I have a question about the zumba videos!
I was thinking of getting them but I'm a little nervous to. I have other dance workout videos but they are...they are just awful. They say they are for beginners but they move so fast and hardly explain how to do the moves. So I fall so far behind while I'm trying to figure them out.

How is zumba with that? Also, are any of the moves that they teach actually applicable at a dance club? XD

Zumba is really good for beginners, I myself am a beginner. The video has a what they call "Easy Beats" and it breaks down all steps for you. I think you'll be able to keep up fairly well once you learn the steps. Always take it a bit slower if you need to.

I don't think that much of the moves are applicable at a dance club, except for how much you move your hips. My hips move much more freely now, making it easier to "dance" in my own style.

I only have the Zumba basics workout dvd, so I'm looking forward to trying the others.

I personally LOVE Zumba, it's so fun and I get such a good workout. I have a gym membership but I literally never go, I much rather work out at home.