I noticed Zumba is probably one of my favorite classes ever, and I'm always sweating so much once I'm done but I'm wondering; is it really equivalent to a good jog/stairmaster?
Sometimes I feel like I sweat a bittt more when I push myself on the treadmill but I way rather do Zumba!

WAY better because you're using your whole body in a variety of ways plus you enjoy it so you're more likely to put more into it and keep it up.

I want to try it, but I don't have a membership to a gym so I am guessing I can find a dvd somewhere. I only do the treadmill now and I think things need spicing up lol.

I don't think it's as hard on your body - I'm never sore after Zumba - but it's fun as heck and not a waste of time at all!

A lot of dance studios offer Zumba for $5-10 per class, no membership required! Just do a quick Google search for "your area + zumba" - it's SUPER popular so I'm sure you can find a class near you at a time that's convenient.

Yeah, it's a great calorie burn and fun I think it's almost as good as running, everyone is different, but I think the average is about 500 cals.

Can't say enough good things about Zumba! I have never been able to do machines.. they just feel like, well, exercise. LOL
Zumba is a blast and I sweat like crazy. Our instructor does songs devoted to abs, arms, legs ... so you really feel yourself getting a work out.

want2bskine if you go to the Zumba site and type in your zip code it will show you classes. I take two different ones in my town and they are at a school and a fire hall. drop in classes $5 each.. or some instructors have cards... like I buy 10 classes in advance for $40. Totally worth it and then some!

If you try a class and aren't crazy about it then definitely try another instructor. I have taken from several and the class is really different depending on who is teaching, their dance style, what music they use, etc.

Thinking about becoming an instructor myself when I drop some more weight!

DaugT,
Thanks! what is the web address?

Exercise should be something you like, so zumba away!

Exactly - find something you like and work up a sweat - push yourself and have fun. Who cares what burns more calories doing what? If you are sweating buckets, you are burning calories and working out and getting fitter. That's all that matters.

Hey, it's http://www.zumba.com/ There's a search right on the home page. Good luck!

[QUOTE=luckystreak;4304959... but I way rather do Zumba![/QUOTE]

This is what really matters. It's great you've found something that's great for you and you're also enthusiastic about.

The best form of exercise is the one that you will consistently do. And if it's something you love, then you will consistently do it!

Don't worry about whether it's better than or equivalent to anything else, just do it and have fun!

I don't pracitce it myself, but my cousin has got into it 3 months ago and she's very enthusiastic about it. She's lost something like 8 kg (about 17-18 lbs) just by taking classes 3-4 times a week—and since she loves it, of course, going to those classes isn't a chore for her at all.

I say, go for it. If it's something you enjoy, you'll stick to it longer and more often (whereas the stairmaster can be extremely boring, and so your mind will find all kinds of excuses to stop doing it).

me and my aunty intend to start zumba next tuesday!

we both feel like and hour at zumba is more calories burned then a night in watching the soaps.