My instructor is Tanya Nuchols and she is energetic, kind, and fun. Her students range from retired dancers all the way to people who have NEVER danced before. All the people (men and women) are super supportive of each other. It took me weeks to get one particular move and I thought Tanya was going to run and hug me when I finally got it. A nice, fun, energetic class and I dropped 1 size in clothing.

I love Zumba. Best thing that I have done for myself in a long while. I have followed my instructor to two locations. Tanya is the best.

Anonymous wrote:What if you're uncoordinated and have movements of a baby giraffe?

I'm wondering this also. Should I even bother?

I'm in Montgomery County - any recommendations?

Love it! Especially love class with Tanya. She makes it fun yet challenging if you want to take it further. She is smiley and sweet and yet has that latin flavor and movement in her blood and really gets into it. And she comes prepared to teach and cares about her students. And her music is great, and she changes it up, so don't worry if you don't like it this week- next week it will change. She is easy to follow, for all ages. Find Tanya Owens Nuchols- you will be happy you did!

I took my first class on Saturday and I thought it was fun. I usually run 6 miles daily so I took the class first and and then ran a quick 3 miles. Felt like a good core workout but not the same as a runner's high! Do it though, it's a great change of pace!

I've taken Zumba with Tanya and Coco in Arlington and they are both really good. Coco's is $15 per class at Kirkwood Sport & Health, and offers cooking classes as well. Tanya's is $10 per class and offers a beginner class at Perfect Pointe Studio. I took one in McLean also, but that one was a bit more aerobic style than dancing. I can't remember the name of that instructor, but I didn't have much fun at that class. I found them all on craigslist.

What if you're uncoordinated and have movements of a baby giraffe?

Are there any good Zumba classes in NoVa?

Anonymous wrote:I tried it a few years back and thought it was fun but not a very challenging workout. It's good for light workout days.

The thing with Zumba is, the intensity level can be increased/decreased according to your capability/comfort level. The more core energy you put into each move, the harder the workout. The harder you work your arms, the more exaggerated your moves, the more challenging it becomes. For me, it was challenging enough to lose 50 pounds.

But, intensity level can also depend on the instructor and class setting. You might try different classes, because one may be super-high impact while one across town may be lower. I once auditioned at a place that said I was too high impact for their demographic and they went with someone slower paced. Some classes are heavy on the super fast samba (like mine), and some have none at all. It just all depends on your instructor and how hard you work yourself...kind of like how there are so many styles of yoga, from relaxing and restorative to power yoga, but in any multi-level class, you have to modify the workout to suit your fitness level.

I tried it a few years back and thought it was fun but not a very challenging workout. It's good for light workout days.

mine is an hour.

how long are most Zumba classes?

love it, but definitely more fun in a class setting. fun workout especially if you like dancing.

Most of my friends are too chicken to even try it, but I love it. I sweat bullets every class. I couldn't keep up the first time, but I listened to the teacher who said it would get easier the more I come to class. She was right and now I can salsa with the rest of them.

My instructor she's lost 60 pounds. I've lost 5 so far, but it's only been a month, and I'm only going once a week. I wish I could do it at least 3 times a week, so maybe I should look into those videos too.

I'm a little late to the trend, but I've been hearing more and more about Zumba and think it looks like fun. I think I'd rather do it at home though - anyone have a DVD they recommend? Or better yet, one that's collecting dust that they wouldn't mind parting with? I'd like to give it a try. Do people think it's really a good workout?