I would have never believed that this would be for me… but once I got started I really couldn’t stop! ~ Sheila
Created by celebrity fitness trainer Beto Perez, Zumba® combines fun, easy-to-follow dance steps with hot Latin beats to help you shed pounds and inches fast. Now the DVD and classes that have hooked millions are available in book format, with a complete workout program, fat-burning diet, and an exclusive instructional DVD with 60 minutes worth of music to help you Zumba your way to the perfect body.
Using the principles of interval and resistance training, the simple dance and sculpting moves (inspired by the traditional cumbia, salsa, samba, and merengue) tone and shape your body. And because it burns 600 to 1,000 calories per hour, you don’t have to restrict your meals to boring or bland-tasting diet foods. The Zumba diet begins with a 5-Day Express Diet to jump start weight loss (lose up to 9 lbs in 5 days) and then offers 14-day meal plans and recipes that target weight loss in the stomach and thighs. You’ll find:
• Hot moves that make you feel like you’re on the dance floor-not on the elliptical machine!
• Recipes for mouthwatering meals that boost your metabolism
• Dozens of workout combination’s so you never get bored
• An exclusive jump-start program to get you ready for that big event next weekend
• An easy plan to help you keep up your progress and maintain the weight loss
So start moving, grooving and losing with Zumba today!
In My Opinion:
I honestly had never heard of Zumba before I read this book. When I flipped through it to see what it was about I noticed there was a Demo DVD in the back of the book. I felt that was as good of a starting place as any to learn what this was about so I popped the DVD into my laptop and watched the demo. The music got me right away. I love a good beat and I love working out to good strong rhythmic music…. this was exactly what I was watching as they demonstrated the basic moves. I liked it. A lot.
The book is filled with step by step instructions of the dances with lots of pictures to follow along. I loved reading about the tips about healthy choices and taking care of yourself. I enjoyed the lists of healthy foods and the sample menu’s. I took a lot of notes and practiced with the Demo DVD. I will refer to this book frequently in the future.
I enjoyed this so much I went on line to find a class near me. I am going to pursue this more and I am actually considering taking the instructor classes they are offering in January in Wisconsin. I seriously am loving this high energy workout!
I received my copy of this book from review from Hachette Book Group
Book Journey 
My gym offers the Zumba classes, but I’ve never checked one out. You make it sound like a lot of fun! How do you like the classes compared with doing the workout yourself?
Hi Jody – that is so cool that your gym offers the classes! I wish ours would!
I havent actually been to a class yet because of the distance to get to one. I have only been doing it at home but think the excitement of being in a class would be incredible! I wish I could have found the demo that they sent me on line so I could have posted it. It takes it step by step.
Ohman, I totally need something fun like this lately to motivate me to work out. It’s like I’ve forgotten how to move lately.
Hi Audrey – I know what you mean! Once I get tot the gym I am fine and glad I went but getting me to go has been a job lately…. I can always find something else to do! 🙂
This sounds like fun-I am going to check my gym.
Oh good Esme – let me know if you find a class!
That’s awesome! My gym has Zumba classes- I think I should check one out! 🙂
Marie let me know if you try it! I have made some connections to try to get classes locally in the mean time I have to live through those who have access to classes! 🙂
I did Zumba once. It was for a raiser for a child my son goes to school with. They were trying to raise money for her to be able to go to another state to get a treatment she needed. I am happy to report that they got the money they needed with the help of this fundraiser and a few others.
But, my son loved it. I on the other hand had a harder time with it. I have always been one of those people how has a hard time with aerobics and stuff like this. I did think it was fun and high energy, I just have no coordination. lol. I know the more you do it the better you get. Maybe someday I will get more into it.
I am glad you enjoy it!
Melissa, I love this! That is so great! I am jealous of all the people that have the classes in their areas! 🙂
So many things to do out there to help get us in shape! This does look like a fun one! Good luck with it.
Heather it was a blast!
I actually did hear of this, but I don’t think there are classes yet in my part of the universe. How cool that you are thinking of being an instructor! You’ve just got the most energy of anyone!!!
rhapsodyinbooks… I dream big LOL. I have enjoyed it so much and was so disappointed there were no classes here I figure it must be because there are no instructors! Thought it couldnt hurt to look into. 🙂
I have a aunt who swears by this. She takes a class in Duluth and refuses to miss it no matter what the weather is like.
Hey Ryan – cool that Duluth has classes! Our cabin isnt too far past that… maybe I could connect with a class there.
I only heard about this class at the gym recently, but thought I definitely need to try it!
Kim let me know if you do – I am so curious about this!
I think this looks like a ton of fun to do. I know there are places around here and one of the health clubs I belong too has the class. I am waiting patiently for it to come to mine. Right now I’m doing Group Kick and it’s a blast. I imagine this would be too.
Zia, is group kicks like kick boxing? I do group power three times a week, thats weight lifting to music – I love that
Ya it’s just like kickboxing, only you don’t hit bags or people, just the air lol. Great cardio workout. I do group power also.
LOVE group power!
Obviously not a craze that has reached us here in the North East of England (in London perhaps). It sounds and looks like such a lot of fun. Of all the things I wish I could do, dancing must be up there at the top. Never good at it before, I lack any sense of rthym, being on crutches makes it even more difficult.
Petty Witter… I love to dance… now I feel like I am missing something… why are you on crutches? I am going to have to pop over to your blog!
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Zumba. I’m glad to hear the book (waiting patiently on my shelf) has a demo DVD, that will be helpful! I haven’t checked the availability of classes in my area yet.
wordlilly – ha ha… when the book came I was like hmmmm…. what is this about? When I finally cracked into it and started with viewing the DVD I was pretty excited!
I’ve beenr doing zumba since March and love it. Not the greatest dancer but love Latin music. workout gets my endorphins going. I try to workout at my gym’s Zumba classes 3x a week. Was recently featured in sfgate.com (dancing the zumba) in Fitness Obsession column. I’d like to get to the next zumba level some time and be able to actually lead a class -)
Thanks Dan – I am loving the comments on this! Online they have a link to inquire about instructor classes.
ROTFL! The lady in the lime green t-shirt. That’s me! 🙂 Looks fun, but it would take me months to learn the moves. Even so, I am going to check this out.
Ok J Kaye now I am laughing too and I have to watch the video again to see which lady you are referring to! 🙂
Dear Sheila
I loved what you wrote about Zumba and the book on your site. I became an instructor in July, and was trained by the master himself, Beto Perez. Let me know if you decide to pursue this goal and if you need any advice or help.
Meanwhile I have a question for you, but would like to take it “offline”. If you would be so kind as to email me at Janice@ZumbaContraCosta.com I’d appreciate it.
Thank you and happy new year. I love your blog.
Sincerely,
Janice Litvin
Newly certified Zumba instructor in Contra Costa County California (outside of SF)
Janice, thank you for your comments! The book was really amazing and I got way more out of it than I thought I would. If I could make some connections to move forward on this I think it would be fantastic!
I love it. I’ve been using zumba. It is just one fun wrkout and on my resolution list. Thanks.
Zumba rocks! 😀
It’s a easy system for home workout. When I am too busy to hit
the gym, I put on any of the DVDs and have a great time dancing with
Beto and his crew. I especially love the toning and flat ab DVDs, which
add variety to the regular dancing portion of the system. I highly
recommend this for busy people who want to stick to Zumba.
I need to get back into it… life got busy and I backed away but I am ready to go again 😀
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