Zumba

     Zumba, is a dance fitness class that combines Latin and International music in a work out system. It is honestly also some of the most fun I've ever had working out. I mentioned it in my first blog  and it is one of the reasons I got back into dancing.
     I first discovered Zumba when I was 18 and living in my hometown that is, Bremerton, WA. My mother signed up the family for a YMCA membership and started going to the Zumba class they offered. She immediately got very into it. She insisted that my sisters and I needed to go with her. We went to this class, and this is before it had gotten so popular, and at this time I was not into it. My sisters and I thought it was hilarious and couldn't understand why she liked it so much. We spent the class laughing at it and trying not to laugh at our mom for bringing us to it. I don't know why at the time I thought it was so ridiculous. I think I just looked around me, saw nothing but middle aged women, and was not having it. I genuinely remember thinking the teacher was an okay dancer and the music wasn't terrible, but for the life of me I could not get into it.
     Two years later and a lot of begging from my best friend she got me to go to a Zumba class at  24 hour fitness in the Pearl District. I don't know if it was the crowd which ranged from 18 to 50 this time or just the instructor her self, but this is when I really got into it. The instructor at the time, Jamie, which seems to be every ones favorite instructor there, is really awesome, full of energy, and makes the class a lot of fun. Her routines range from Hip Hop to Latin music and she is a genuinely great dancer. I say this because there are actually a ton of Zumba instructors who are the worst dancers I have ever seen. You come to find that each instructor has their own style just like dancers, but that isn't always the best thing. There is another instructor there named Julio, who is also just as fun, but at this time he only taught one class a week. I will be honest when I say any other instructor that subbed there or taught there was not nearly as fun and I didn't feel like I was getting a full workout. With this said if you every decide to try Zumba and the first time you hate it you should try another instructor, this can really make all the difference.
     During Christmas Break, I went again with my mom and sisters while I was visiting. The class at the Y now takes up the full basket ball court. The age range there was from 6 to 50. It was the third time I have gone with my mom after taking it it for a year in Portland. The instructors are different from the first time and they are super awesome as well. My sisters now enjoy it to and I think it's crazy how after just a few years we have totally changed our minds about it. When you first take the class you will feel super lost and a little left out. Alot of the routines are repeated so the people who have been going a while can pretty much do it from heart. Don't let this discourage you, you will eventually catch on and know it just like they do. The nice part is alot of moves and dances in Zumba are universally used so if you go to a different class you can catch on pretty easily. If you enjoy dancing and don't necessarily want to go to a dance class and enjoy working out, I definitely recommend it!
If you want to know more about or find a class in your area please refer to their website:
http://www.zumba.com/