Zumba® and Spinning® for a Newbie
One of the requirements of being on the “weight loss challenge program”, that I’ve been a part of since January, is to participate in several exercise classes every week. I’ve never been a fan of exercise classes, I’ve only worked out by myself either on the treadmill or the stationary bike.
I found myself forced to go out of my comfort zone and called myself a “VIRGIN” since I’ve never taken any of these special classes before. Keeping an open mind, I had to set myself out to go and explore the different classes they offered.
I’m sure everyone has heard of Zumba®. Zumba® is a Latin dance inspired fitness program that incorporates hip hop, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo and some martial arts. So I figured I’m Latina, I like to dance, how hard can it be?? Needless to say I found out real fast.
Zumba®
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| Arelis Ramirez |
Here comes Master Zumba®/Toning instructor, Arelis Ramirez. I have heard she was 50 years old with five children (I’m sure she doesn’t mind me sharing these facts). At first glance she is a small framed woman that does not look 50 years old and by no means a mother of five. So, we start the class, and in about less than five minutes this woman is moving parts of the body that I never thought you can move. She becomes an electric human machine showing her passion and addiction to this kind of workout. At this time, I’m forced to introduce myself to muscles I didn’t even know I had and at times it becomes brutal.
As fun as it may seem, Zumba® gives you a great cardio workout making you sweat your butt off especially when you have someone like Arelis frequently screaming, “move those hips!!!” and whose favorite sayings are: “Don’t move in this class, like if you’re shopping at the supermarket.”, “Eso!!!” and “There is no Cha-Cha-Cha without the hip”.
Spinning®
Like I said before most of my workout had been on a stationary bike. So I thought I had an advantage if I took spinning. You do spinning® on a bike, right? Boy was I wrong!!!
The Spinning® bike is not just any bike! It isn’t like your exercise bike that has been collecting dust in the basement or that you use to hang up your clothes. The spinning® bike might look like any ordinary exercise bike, but the big difference is the tension knob, which allows spinning® to be an aerobic exercise routine.
The instructor for this class is Master Spinner #KillerKetsy (I have written about #KillerKetsy before) who is also my trainer. Let me be brief as to the experience of being on the bike for the first time by just saying it treated me exactly like what I had called myself ~ A Virgin. After the class was over I didn’t know what part of my butt hurt the most and my legs failed to hold me up. I must say the first time it’s an unforgettable experience of pain and exhaustion.
Many people have told me that they find Spinning® boring and feel like they are not going anywhere. Well, I have to say to those people– Duh!! It’s still a stationary bike– but you have to use your imagination and imagine you going up and down hills on a beautiful day listening to the beat of the music that helps you ride towards your goal. Boring?? Then, you have not taken a class with #KillerKetsy (my special name for my trainer). You don’t have time to feel bored because you are too busy feeling the pain of her workout.
Zumba® vs. Spinning®
I must confess that after my initial impression of both of these classes, I have fallen in love with both of them. Each one gives me a feel of a different accomplishment. Perhaps it has something to do with the instructors that I am fortunate to have. Not only do they care, but they show their dedication and radiate their passion of their tool to help us accomplish our goals.
I am hooked now. I take Zumba® twice a week and do Spinning® three times a week and love it and most important I’m seeing the results. But at the end of the day, like Richard Geer said to Julia Roberts on Pretty woman describing opera, “people either love it or they hate it. If they love it, they will always love it and if they hate it, they’ll learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul.”
P.S. – I have started taking Yoga® and Meditation classes- so stay tuned……
“We may affirm absolutely that nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion”. ~ George Hegel
Related Links to My Weight Loss Journey:
I Won Ketsy and Lost Pounds – Part III
I Won Ketsy and Lost Pounds – Part II
I Won Ketsy and Lost Pounds – Part I
Running Like A Diva
*This post was originally posted on March 15, 2012 on “A New Camino”
