Okay so a few months ago, after languishing in an unemployed slump for several months, I realized that I really needed to recommit myself to getting regular exercise. I was sleeping poorly, and on a strange schedule, my food was digesting slowly, I felt constantly bloated. Ugh, it just wasn’t pretty. In November of 2009 I broke my ankle while I was in India (due to a 6-inch platform shoe) and immediately came home to find out I had also severed almost all of my ligaments as well. It was an arduous process, including two surgeries to place the bones back into position (I’m part cyborg- I have a metal plate and 6 screws in my left ankle), several months of physical therapy and over a year and a half of healing before I could officially walk without a limp. Needless to say, I cannot take my ankles for granted and when I realized just how sluggish a year of inactivity had left me feeling, I had to fix it.
My sister-in-law attends the local Curves gym here in town and she told me that in addition to their famed circuit training workout they added Zumba classes a few times a week. She raved about it and I knew I had to try it ASAP. After a few classes I was hooked. It’s a serious workout. Classes at Curves are a half hour of medium-high to high intensity dance aerobic, however, they differ from typical aerobics classes. The choreography is simplified, featuring 4 to 6 sequences that are repeated throughout the song, with some moves focusing on your legs, some on your rear (lots of squats and plies), some on your abs and arms. It’s all cardio, though, as you’re constantly moving throughout each song. The music is fun, as it is a mix of Latin music and hip hop. Youtube is filled with amazing success stories of how Zumba has changed lives, and I can totally see how. It works because as you progress and your fitness level improves, the classes feel less like work and more like you’re actually dancing. Instead of concentrating so hard on complicated footwork, you can just breeze through and really focus on your own movements and doing them to the max. As someone who spent their adolescence in dance classrooms, for me Zumba is intensely therapeutic.
Recently, I purchased the Zumba Fitness game for Wii (about $40) so I could amp up my fitness on the weekends and let me tell you… it kinda makes the classes look easy. The intensity level is very high during the game. The movements are faster than what I’m used to at Curves, but the principle is the same. After about a minute into the 4-5 minute routine, you feel like you have the grasp of the footwork and can really let loose.
So how does the game measure progress? When you purchase the game, you are also purchasing a velcro belt that you slide the Wii remote into during your routine. You wear it at a comfortable place on your hips, and as you dance, it measures your energy level based upon how accurately you are moving and shaking. Therefore, there is no slacking off, which I love, because I am so bad about losing interest half way and just sitting down during other fitness videos. I also love that there is a customizable fitness calendar on the game itself. You plug in when you want to work out, and when you turn on your game, you head to the calendar and click start! Easy as that!
The game had three modes. Zumba Party allows you to play competitively against yourself and against others. Think Just Dance 2, Latin style. To play against others, you need to purchase a second belt for $10 dollars at the Zumba fitness site. The second game mode is Zumba Class, which is where you have the option of working out at three levels (Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert) and at three different lengths (20 minutes, 45 minutes and an hour). Truthfully, I find the beginner level already challenging and the twenty minutes is a really good workout, but I think I’ll be moving up to the 45 minute range very soon. It has been said that an hour of Zumba can burn between 700 and 1100 calories at a healthy body weight, which is only slightly less than running. The third game mode allows you to play individual routines without a 20, 45 or hour-long commitment. I think that this is an excellent option for days where you might not have twenty minutes to commit, but you could commit 15. Trust me, you will feel the burn even after that little time, and while that shouldn’t substitute for your at least 3 days a week of good cardio, it would be great for the weekend, or for little bursts here and there. You will get sweaty though, that’s a promise.
As for what to wear, I suggest clothes that wont hold sweat to your body and shoes that are designed for cardio or dance. Running shoes have too much traction, you won’t be able to pivot as needed and you will experience the debilitating arch-cramps that many Zumba-ers have before.
I look forward to using Zumba to help me reach my fitness goals. As always, consult your physician before committing to a new fitness regimen. Always stretch before and after (you’ll need it). Stay hydrated, like I said, you’ll sweat bullets.
XO,
K
