Zumba DVD's

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone purchased the Zumba DVD set with the 'maraca' dumbells?!!

I did a search here on OH and found nothing but positive things about Zumba as far as cardio goes, but I'm curious if you get a good arm workout with the sticks?  I'm not ready to go to a class at all because I have orthopedic issues, so that's not an option at this point.  I'm just trying to make an educated decision before I dive in.

Thanks in advance for your input,

Where did you look for the DVD set I would love to have the set?

This is the main website for Zumba:  http://www.zumba.com/us/

This is the set I'm considering:  https://www.zumbafitness.com/flare/next

Hi Amz! Word of advice on Zumba with any health conditions.... find the right shoes if you are doing the DVDs on the carpet. Because of the twisting motion, the right shoes are very important.

GOOD LUCK, they are a lot of fun!

~Shannon

Thanks that's good advice!!  I have orthopedic issues and was in a car accident 2 years ago where I broke both  the tibia and the fibia in my right leg.  Back then I wouldn't have considered doing the DVD's so that's absolutely something to consider before buying.

I am lucky that in this case I have hard wood floors, and already have some Nike dance shoes for the occassion.  I will absolutely take it easy the first few times, but I've been doing regular walks for a while now and haven't had any issues with the old break area.  In fact I'm hoping that this weight bearing aerobics will help in the long term strengh of my bones. 

Thanks agaiin for the adivce and have a great weekend!!

Hi Ladies, I LOVE ZUMBA!!!!!! I have been doing it for 8 weeks and have lost 25 lbs!!  YAY!  I can really tell the most weight loss in my hips or love handles but I do notice the difference everywhere including my arms.  My advice is to do the videos without the arm weights and when you get use to the moves and need a step up start using the weights.  I hope this helps!!!!

This sounds like exactly what I need to do!  Thanks for the info on including the weights when I'm ready...I'm so excited!!

Have a great weekend!!

Hi Everyone,

Well I got my Zumba package this week and finally tried it today.  Althought it was really hot here in California, I really enjoyed myself.

I'm still at the beginning stages and taking it easy...here's why.  My right leg that was broken twice in the car accident is unfortunately weaker than I realized.   Learning new dance steps will always take time, however I got through about half the Basics DVD and had to stop and rest.  My upper right leg/thigh was sore AND I've noticed in the past few months that I have excess fat on it from where my muscle has atrophied.  I have noticed just in taking the stairs that I'm using my left leg instead of my right, as I have previously done for my entire life!!  So now it will not only be a matter of becoming more coordinated with the dance steps, I'll need to concentrate on strengthening the right leg much much more!! 

One thing I did do, was I wateched the Tone & Tighten portion of the DVD set and was pleasantly surprised by how much upper body work is done!!  I'm hoping that this will help all the other areas that I need to take care of.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

I am also thinking about buy Zumba dvds but for those of you who have used it. How does it feel on your back? I have to stretch my lower back before I even get out of bed at times in the mornings. My muscles are always so tight! I know they are weak and so are my stomach muscles. I have a bulging disc in my back (degenerative disc disease) and sometimes have to get steroid shots in my hips because of bursitis when it flares up and I can barely walk.

I've been trying to find something to tone up my weak and sagging thighs and my stomach and lower back. Any suggestions?

Thanks for all the ideas in advance!!