Love Zumba? Try SALSArobics!

I had the pleasure of trying SALSArobics at the Chicago International Salsa Congress in Chicago, Illinois February 16-19, 2012. Each day of the Salsa Congress started with a 9am, 1-hour session of SALSArobics.

SALSArobics was founded in 1988 by Columbian-born Esther Gutierrez Sloan. It’s a fun way to learn Latin dance moves while exercising. If you like Zumba, you will love SALSArobics. Esther chooses popular Latin music and breaks down the basic steps and slowly builds them up and modifies the moves until voila, you’re dancing around the room!

SALSArobics is like Zumba in the way that it is exercise based on Latin dance. We danced everything from salsa, merengue, cha cha, belly dance, bachata,… even lambada, the forbidden dance!

SALSArobics is different from Zumba in many ways. There is little or no choreography in SALSArobics. The dance steps are authentic Latin dance moves that travel around the room. I found more opportunity in SALSArobics for individuals to modify the workout to add intensity or more complicated dance moves if they chose to do so.

I will hopefully be adding a SALSArobics class to my schedule  soon. If you’re ever in the greater Chicago area, be sure to check out a SALSArobics class from Esther or one of her SALSArobics instructors!

Give the Gift of Zumba

Are you still Christmas shopping? (Don’t feel bad – I haven’t even started.) Why not give the gift of Zumba?!?

For the athlete… You already know she (or he) likes to exercise. Why not help them mix up their workout with Zumba?

For the dancer… You already know she (or he) loves to dance. Why not give them the gift of a workout they’re going to love?

For the couch potato… OK, she (or he) says she doesn’t like to exercise. She says she doesn’t dance. Zumba is the perfect gift for that couch potato of any age you’d like to start exercising. All she has to do is follow along. There are no rules. There is no right or wrong. Just keep moving and pretty soon, she’s dancing and exercising!

How can you give the gift of Zumba?

DVD’s: Two sets of Zumba DVD’s are available through the Zumba shop or Amazon.com. Zumba DVD’s let you start doing Zumba right in the comfort (and privacy) of your own home.

Video Game: Two Zumba video games are available for Wii, Playstation, and XBox Kinect. These are video games that will make you sweat, again, in the comfort (and privacy) of your own home,

Live Class: Pick up a punch card or gift certificate to a gym or group fitness studio near your loved one that offers Zumba classes. Some Curves locations now offer Zumba in the Circuit. There are Zumbatomic classes for kids and Zumba Gold classes for beginners, deconditioned exercisers, or older adults. Ask your favorite Zumba instructor for recommendations!

Happy holidays!

Christmas Gifts for Zumba Lovers

Do you have a Zumba lover in your life? Want to give them a Christmas gift they’re going to love? Here are some Christmas gift ideas from a Zumba lover for Zumba lovers:

Zumba Wear
Some people wear their everyday gym clothes to Zumba, but Zumba wear is different than gym clothes. It’s a cross between street wear and dance wear. Zumba wear is available from the Zumba online shop and will cost you anywhere from $14.95 for a pair of Zumba flip flops to $94.95 for a pair of Zumba athletic dance shoes. A safe bet for any Zumba lover is a top to wear to class. A Zumba wear top will cost you anywhere form $14.95 to $39.95 + shipping. Shop now if you want it to arrive by Christmas!

Zumba DVDs
The gift that keeps on giving – a Zumba class right in your very own home! There are two authetic Zumba DVD sets available: the Total Body Transformation System (as seen on TV) or the Zumba Exhilarate DVD Experience. There is even a set of Zumba DVD’s for children called Zumbatomic. The DVD sets are expensive ($89.95 for Exhilarate on Zumba.com, $49.95 for TBTS on Amazon.com), but contain five DVDs including a live workout and choreography to tone the arms, abs, buns, and thighs. Shop for DVDs on Zumba.com or Amazon.com.

Zumba Video Game
I was lucky enough to participate in the Best Buy release of the original Zumba Fitness video game for Kinect on the XBox 360 at the Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minnesota last year and let me tell you, it is amazing! The Zumba Fitness video game is available for Wii and Playstation and WILL give you a workout. This year, the Zumba Fitness 2 video game is also available for Wii. Shop for DVDs on Zumba.com or Amazon.com.

Here are some other ideas for Zumba lovers:

• Dance lessons – Maybe they’re ready to start salsa dancing???
• Exercise clothes – Bright, neon colors are popular in Zumba classes. Popular exercise clothing brands in my classes: lululemon athletica, lucy, C9 from Champion available at Target, Victoria’s Secret PINK (yes, Victoria’s Secret), Old Navy
• Hip Scarf – Belly dance and Bollywood songs in Zumba have inspired some Zumba lovers to wear colorful hip scarves during class.

Zumba lovers, do you have any other suggestions?

Fun Minnesota RPE Scale – Does your region have one?

I am part of a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in Minnesota. Recently, an instructor shared a fun version of the Rated Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale, a way to subjectively measure the intensity of exercise, to celebrate our Scandinavian heritage and “Minnesota nice.”

After a quick Internet search (when I should’ve been studying for an exam) I couldn’t find any other regional RPE scales. Does your region have one? Or just for fun, what would be the descriptions based on your region’s heritage and culture?

Minnesota RPE Scale
6
7 Piece of cake
8
9 Not too bad
10
11 Hardly working at all
12
13 Can’t complain
14
15 It could be worse
16
17 A guy couldn’t go much harder than this
18
19 Uff da!
20

Reebok Zigs for Zumba

Awhile back I read that Alena (of Zumba with Alena) recommended Reebok ZIGS for Zumba. When I found a grey and pink pair in my size on sale at TJ Maxx, I decided to give them a try. Here is what I think about Reebok ZIGS for Zumba:

Pros:
Reebok ZIGS do not stick to studio floors. This is important because when your shoe sticks to the floor, your foot stays in one place while your ankle, knee, and hip twist and turn. I believe finding an athletic dance shoe that does not stick to the floor is the most important thing to look for in order to avoid joint pain after Zumba classes. Reebok ZIGS allow plenty of movement in all directions for Zumba classes, including turning, sliding, and gliding.

Reebok ZIGS provide adequate support. These are sturdy, robust athletic shoes that will absorb shock from high-impact moves during Zumba.

Reebok ZIGS are available in mens’ sizes for the handful of *wonderful* men who participate and instruct Zumba classes.

Reebok ZIGS are available online or in stores worldwide.

Cons:
Reebok ZIGS are ugly and attract a lot of attention. I picked up a pair of grey and pink Reebok ZIGS because they were my only option at TJ Maxx. They are so dark and clunky, I feel like I look like I’m wearing army boots to Zumba. I’m embarrassed to wear them outside of the studio, so I change my shoes immediately before and after Zumba class.

Reebok ZIGS are expensive. I found a pair at TJ Maxx for $35 USD. These shoes cost about $100 full price. That is too much for Zumba shoes in my opinion. I would not have bought a pair if I hadn’t find them on sale at discount store.

In summary, if you can afford to buy a pair of Reebok ZIGS for Zumba and don’t mind the way they look, go for it. The sole is what is needed for Zumba on studio floors. For now, Reebok ZIGS are my Zumba shoe of choice. As always, if you use Reebok ZIGS for Zumba, let me know what you think!

NEW: Z-Kickz Athletic Dance Shoes for Zumba by Zumba Fitness

All of my favorite athletic dance shoes for Zumba have been discontinued. First, it was the Nike Musique IV with the mesh upper. Then it was the Nike Huarache. I’ve tried regular running or cross-training shoes, but nothing feels right in Zumba class. What’s a Zumba lover like me supposed to do?

Zumba Fitness has an (expensive) new solution: Zumba Z-Kicks. According to the Zumba Shop:

When you want to break it down (which is probably all the time step it up with Z-Kickz, the ultimate dance-fitness shoe – with a kick!
- Super-breathable mesh
- Ultra lightweight
- No-tread
- Neon accents
- Reflective Zumba logos

At the time when this post was written, Zumba Z-Kicks athletic dance shoes were only available for women and cost $74.95 USD. With 50 reviews written by customers in the Zumba Shop, these shoes have a 4.6/5.0 customer rating… Not bad!

I personally cannot afford to spend $75 USD on athletic shoes that I am only going to wear for Zumba. I used to find my Nike Musique and Nike Huarche on sale in stores or online for around $35 USD. $75 USD is out of my price range so I am going to wait and keep looking for a more affordable alternative.

If you try Zumba Z-Kickz, let us know what you think by leaving a comment! Thanks!

Men’s Footware from Zumba Fitness

Finally! Men’s Z1 sneakers are athletic dance shoes from Zumba Fitness for Zumba Fitness!

According to the Zumba Fitness Shop:

Hey guys, this one’s for you — the all-new Z1 Sneakers for men! Athletic, sturdy, rugged and funky-cool to boot, these sneakers are built for optimum performance both in and out of Zumba® class. Constructed with a molded footbed and TPU for maximum support, and an ultra-breathable upper and midsole for total comfort, the new Z1 sneakers for him also have extra-tough pivot points to slide and grip on cue. With extra colored shoelaces, pair ‘em up with your favorite Zumbawear™ get-up and you’ll be ready to kick it into high gear!

The Z1 Zumba sneaker for men has mixed reviews, but if you’ve been searching for the right shoe, it might be worth the $75 to give them a try!

I Found a Pocket in C9 by Champion Exercise Pants From Target

Everyone knows pockets in exercise clothing are essential.

Pockets are an especially important feature of running shorts or tights. For running indoors on a track or treadmill, I need a pocket for my car or locker key and gym ID. For running outdoors, I need a pocket for my house key and ID.

If you have money to burn, Lululemon Athletica has by far the best exercise wear. Just be prepared to spend between $50-100 for a pair of running tights with a couple of cleverly hidden pockets.

You can imagine my surprise when I found a hidden pocket in the waistband of my C9 by Champion running tights that I bought for $25 from Target! The mesh pocket is sewn into the waistband of the running tights at the middle of the back. It was so well hidden, it took me months to discover it by accident! It is the perfect size for an ID and keys. You could even fit a smart phone in the hidden mesh pocket, but the lower back can be a terribly sweaty place to keep your phone during a workout…

Next time you are shopping for exercise clothing at Target, make sure you check the waistband for hidden pockets.

Zumba – Kicks like a workout, feels like a party

The Minneapolis – St. Paul, Minnesota Star Tribune recently published an article about Zumba.

University of Minnesota kinesiology professor, Beth Lewis was quoted as saying: “For someone who’s physically fit, probably going for a run is going to provide a better workout, but for people who work out rarely, this is a fabulous gateway exercise…”

I very much disagree with Ms. Lewis. Zumba is a great interval workout for people of all fitness levels, not only “people who work out rarely.” The Zumba format allows each individual to work as hard as they choose or as hard as they are able. Zumba recruits muscles from the entire body while challenging the cardiovascular system. Choreography may be difficult for some former athletes to pick up and therefore, some “physically fit” participants may need more time and practice to feel comfortable enough to work at a high intensity.

I have been a long-distance runner for over 15 years and I never saw the rapid results that I saw from Zumba from running. Since doing Zumba for the first time in March 2009, I personally have lost over 30 pounds. I consider myself well-conditioned and toned. I ran my best-ever Ragnar Relay race in the summer of 2010 after training by primarily leading Zumba classes.

I love seeing my participants smile and build confidence, spirit, and attitude through Zumba. Viva Zumba!

Should I Buy a Heart Rate Monitor for Zumba?

I love teaching Zumba. I teach high intensity Zumba 4 times a week and Zumba Gold 2 times a week. I smile a lot and sweat a lot, but how do I know much exercise I am getting from Zumba class?

Until now, I have relied on free online calorie calculators and exercise diaries like hot cal to tell me how many calories I burn during exercise, including Zumba. I enter every food and beverage I consume each day and I enter every minute of exercise I do each day into hot cal. The site software uses my 1) Basal Metabolic Rate or BMR, 2) daily calorie needs based on my activity level, 3) net calorie needs, and 4) exercise bonus calories to calculate whether I’ve stayed within my daily calorie target to meet my personal fitness or weight loss goals.

I currently use the cardio exercise entry “Dancing, aerobic, ballet or modern, twist” to track Zumba. According to my height, weight, age, and sex; I should burn about 272 calories in one 50-minute Zumba class.

272 calories? That’s it? That can’t be right… Can it?

I think it’s time I invest in a heart rate monitor so I know exactly how many calories I burn in each Zumba class – not only for my own personal fitness, but to also allow me to use the music and moves that will get my Zumba class participants’ hearts pumping (safely, of course).

Stay tuned as I shop for my first heart rate monitor for Zumba!