It's been a while since I've done one of these fitness class reviews. It's about time I got to another one, right?
One thing you may not know about me is that I love to dance. I didn't play on a sports team, I went to dance classes. I took them from kindergarten through my junior year in high school. Jazz, tap, ballet, point. I loved it. In college, I would dance at every party and my friends and I would go dancing whenever possible. I don't know if I was actually any good, but at the time I thought that I was and we were having fun.
Given my love of dance and music, it's a tiny bit odd that I married a guy with no rhythm who hates to dance. (The fact that I love everything else about him outweighed this minor flaw!) It means I haven't gone dancing in years. So when I decided I really needed to shake things up with my workout routine this year, I decided to try the Zumba class at our gym that's held Tuesday nights. I don't have to leave work early to get there and I can even fit in the extra strength workout I want to do each week before the class starts!
If you're not familiar with Zumba, it's a Latin-inspired dance fitness class that uses high energy music and burn many calories. There are six types of classes, including aqua zumba and zumba toning, but the class I took was the basic type. The class last night was full, about 40 people, of all ages and ethnicity and both female and male! I spoke with a woman before class who has been going for a while and loves the class and instructor, Heather Fay, who is apparently very popular. I found out quickly that she has a lot of energy and kept people going. She wasn't critical and didn't go around the room correcting people's forms or how they were moving. She literally just danced and let everyone dance along with her, and it makes sense because the website describes Zumba as a dance fitness-party.
Truth be told, I was lost for about 75% of the class, but since a most of the students knew the routines, I imagine that after another class or two I'll be right in step. As Heather said at the start of the class, "there's no thinking in Zumba. Just feel the music and dance!"
Class Info:
Type: Zumba
Location: New York Sports Club - Wall St
When: Tuesday nights @ 7pm
Instructor: Heather Fay
This class was fun and really didn't feel like a workout, even though it really was. I can't wait to go back next week!
If you've tried Zumba, I'd love to hear what you thought about it! Do any of you runners reading this take fitness classes as cross training or to just mix things up?
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last night's workout -
55min Zumba class
3x12 lat pull down
3x12 seated row
3x10 hip abductor
stretching
today's workout -
50min/5.6mile elliptical
3x10 cable push down
3x12 overhead triceps extension
3x10 cable pull twist
stretching
12 comments:
I love Zumba! When I belonged to a gym in Pennsylvania, I used to go if I had the night off from work...I never considered it a workout (although I did sweat!), but more of something fun to do. Let's just say I'm a terrible dancer...ha.
I have been really curious about this class- sounds like a lot of fun :)!
I've been curious about ZUmba for a long time and did some youtube watching and it looks like a ton of fun
Never tried it, but the YMCA that I'm a member of has a class twice a week. I'm considering giving it a whirl. You and I have ALOT in common...I took dancing (tap, ballet, jazz, acrobats) for 20 years. AND I also married a man with absolutely NO rhythm. Oh, well, I'm like you...he has so many other great qualities that I ignored that one...LOL!!
I'm not so sure about this. I think I will leave this to you ladies. I've heard it kicks your butts though!
Hi! I take Heather's Zumba classes and I love them. I have been a compulsive dancer all my life, which does not necessarily mean a good one, but I had not taken a class in a while and then, several months ago, I decided to get back in the game and gave Heather a try as a way of easing back in. Now I can't stop. Her classes are fun, relaxed and yet a great workout. She has a webpage, but it does not seems to be working today: http://heatherfaynyc.com/
Heather is definitely one of the best zumba instructors! I've been taking her class at NYSC 41st for awhile now -- don't worry about getting confused .... just when you think you have a routine halfway figured out, she comes up with a new one! You should try one of her Spin classes -- really whips ya into shape!
Much needed info, about ZUMBA, dance and fitness cool combination.
Yes. Heather is Fabulous and she is blessed with an amazing talent. She will always inspire to keep moving no matter what and there is never no shame. Only person I know who can 3 feet high in the air move all around the room and manages to smile throughout the entire class! you also feel comfortable with everyone else in the room! We are for a great workout and fun!! Gotta love her! GOTTA LOVE HER!!! Nikkie :)
I took my first zumba class tonight and while it kucked my butt I had a blast! It was just the boost I needed in my workout routine.
Im going to try Zumba tonight for the first time and I am actually pretty nervous! Watch this space is all I can say
I love Zumba very much. I am kind of addicted to this. I also read a review on Zumba Fitness review Check this out
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