Sometime last year, I tried Zumba for the first time. I was hesitant, because I can’t dance and have no rhythm, and I stumble over my own feet. But I did it and loved it and made it a part of my weekly class. Although I don’t go as much as I’d like to, going to Zumba changed my perspective on group fitness.
Six months ago, our Zumba instructor told us about a new class “Strong by Zumba” that would take place immediately after Zumba. He said, and I quote, “There’s no dancing, but it’s choreographed HIIT moves to the songs you love.” I went home that night and never thought about Zumba Strong again.
Until last night. The same friend who had initially invited me to Zumba suggested a few of us go to Zumba Strong during our gym’s “launch week”. One of the reasons I had been missing Zumba lately is because it fell close to J’s work time, so I struggled to get there in time if I waited for him to get home. But Zumba Strong is a whole 90 minutes later. I can do that.
I don’t know what I expected, but I loved it. I seriously missed 6 months of the greatest class I’ve been to in my life. Sorry Sarah- I love Centergy too. I swear coming back once Cattail Marsh runs end for the fall.
Strong by Zumba is not dancing. There’s no hip swinging or shimmying ball changes. It’s high intensity interval training, and the lights stayed on. There are Four Quandtants of choreography, all containing 3 songs. In between each quadrant is a quick rest for water and catching your breath. The first quadrant, called Ignite, is a fun warmup filled with strength based cardio like jumping jacks. Next, is Fire Up, which introduces the high intensity moves, like punches and burpees and squats. The third quandrant, Push Your Limits, did just that. It took the moves from Quandrant Two and made them even harder by chaining the moves together. There were tons of plank jacks, and I admit that I took the easy option a lot here. Finally, Floorplay, which was all ab work; planks, crunches, and roll ups. When we finished, there was a simple stretching cool down!
I can’t believe I was so intimidated by this for the past six months. I have literally wasted six months of my life when I could have been loving on Strong by Zumba!
Needless to say, this will be added to my weekly schedule!
Oh, and just to sweeten the deal, I won a gift card to Smoothie King!