Thread: Zumba!

Im a certified Zumba instructor, I love it! Awesome workout and I find that the foot work is great for conditioning dancers.

Originally Posted by Vasha_Hatal

Im a certified Zumba instructor, I love it! Awesome workout and I find that the foot work is great for conditioning dancers.

Look, I don't mean to put you on the spot, but doesn't "certified Zumba instructor" mean you took one full-day workshop? Or have they changed it?

I had a "certified Zumba instructor" who thought that a warm-up meant flinging your arms and legs all over as quickly as possible. Her day job was an elementary school teacher, not a fitness instructor.

Zumba instructors are all over the map, is what I'm saying. I think an ACE certification should be required as well.

Originally Posted by tigerb

Look, I don't mean to put you on the spot, but doesn't "certified Zumba instructor" mean you took one full-day workshop? Or have they changed it?

I had a "certified Zumba instructor" who thought that a warm-up meant flinging your arms and legs all over as quickly as possible. Her day job was an elementary school teacher, not a fitness instructor.

Zumba instructors are all over the map, is what I'm saying. I think an ACE certification should be required as well.

I have several certified friends, and yes, that's basically what it means. My friends are GREAT at teaching it, but I have seen Zumba instructors who do things that can really hurt someone (like "streching" in a lunge where the knee is AAAAALLL the way past the foot).

If you take the one-day training, you are certified, yes. Unless they have changed the standards. If you are AAFA ( or other fitness industry) certified to teach GGX then you have a little bit more "official" validation & reputable gyms require you to be certified as a GGX instructor & to have CPR training to teach. But because Zumba can be taught pretty much anywhere ( so gyms or freelance instructors) don't have to pay a license, you end up with a wild variety of instructors who may not be seasoned dance or fitness professionals to begin with. I suppose the notion is that if anyone can take a Zumba class, anyone be an instructor?

I'm a certified Zumba instructor ( GGX, CPR, LMI format certified too) and I have seen other classes. They all really vary depending on the experience, strength & personalities of the instructors. That can be a huge weakness sometimes but I am actually a little bit grateful that I have the freedom to tailor the class to my preference. When there seem to be 500 Zumba classes popping up everywhere, its good to be able to put your stamp on it.

BTW I also firmly ignore & excise all gnarly high-impact moves from my chorey.

Originally Posted by shimarella

BTW I also firmly ignore & excise all gnarly high-impact moves from my chorey.

Dang. Wish I could take class from you!! ..g.:

Hee. I also do my own Bollywood & bellydance blocks so there are no gross squatty moves with "egyptian" arms!

I just took my first Zumba class today! (I have done the videos a few times) I LOVED it! I'm actually considering getting the certification. My particular class had no belly dance portion, but the teacher is Brazilian so there was lots of samba.

It's definitely a follow the bouncing butt type of class, but I had a good time and got a good workout. I plan to take the class again!