Does anyone here really really dislike Zumba?

[kittybug]

I've never tried Zumba but had planned on going to a live class tonight...after reading this thread, I'm reconsidering that because I simply cannot wrap my head around no cueing!! There's no CUEING????

I guess I'll still go but I'm now thinking it'll probably be a one and done for me...

[sherry7899]

They cue with hand gestures instead of verbally.

[Garrie A.]

Non-verbal cueing also includes facial expressions and body language. Some instructors may also use verbal cues at times for the more complex steps (or if students are not getting certain steps), as well as praising students and asking how they are feeling. Also for body alignment.

In my classes I use mostly non-verbal cues, but also verbal cues when needed (for situations described above). My instructor friend also does the same. However, some instructors I've taken class from do not cue at all. It all depends on the instructor.

Specialty formats (Toning, Step, Sentao, etc.) rely on more verbal cues due to the exercise selections.

IMHO cueing wasn't touched on enough in my Level 1 (B1) training. There was a lot of material to cover, but I thought the cueing section was too short. It was "taught" and practiced briefly through two skill exercises, but other than that I was on my own. A few weeks ago, I took an Instructor Boost where cueing is covered more in-depth.

(If I need to delete this post please let me know. Just thought I'd elaborate a little bit on cueing.)

[CoolGirlinFl888]

I love dance workouts but I cannot get into Zumba. i tried to make myself like it because it was so popular. I tried it everywhere from Port St. Lucie to fort Lauderdale. No go so I just admitted it's not my thing and moved on.

[Orlita]

All 3 instructors I took classes with gave verbal cues consistently throughout the workout.

[Eibhinn]

Years ago I borrowed the original Zumba DVD set from a friend, and really enjoyed it. But I've since tried others and did not. There were several things I preferred about the older one:

- First - it had instruction and queuing. It was led by Giselle Roque de Escobar, who is an experienced conventional dance fitness instructor. So I found it much easier to follow.

- Second - it was also easier to follow because it was less frantic, and seemingly easier on the body than some of the later stuff I've tried. The dancing seemed less flailing and impactful on the body, but maybe that's just because I was younger at the time. I'm pretty sure it was properly designed as a fitness program, with a proper warm-up and stretching. I HATE that the newer stuff doesn't have this.

- Third - it was less cheesy. Zumba is always cheesy, but the newer stuff, with the weird one pant leg shorter than the other exaggerated facial expression nonsense seemed way cheesier than the early stuff for me. The newer stuff seems just embarrassingly over-the-top.

I think a lot of this boils down to Zumba becoming branded and franchised. I think a lot of the cheesiness came from trying to make Zumba visually and aesthetically distinct. And a lot of the problems for me came with trying to make the program easily franchised - which is to say de-professionalized. The original Zumba was better because it involved a professional fitness trainer, with Beto mostly providing flair and, let's be honest, some visual interest to the program. The lack of proper fitness structures like warm-ups and cool-downs, and skills, like actually cueing and teaching how to do moves, is why Zumba was able to explode like it did: it's incredibly easy to get certified as a Zumba instructor because they've eliminated a raft of skills that instructors in normal fitness programs need to learn.

So I liked the basic idea of Zumba, because I like dance workouts, but I hate how dumbed down the final product ended up being. Also the non-verbal cueing makes instructors look like insane mimes and creeps me out.

[Marylandmom]

I felt the same way when I went to my first Zumba class.... the music was horrible and the instructor had absolutely no rhythm. I'm so glad I didn't give up. I changed gyms and found a zumba instructor that is not only fantastic, but has the best music (and I'm someone with 2 left feet). His classes are always packed wall to wall. Zumba is my favorite form of cardio.

Paula

[antbuko]

Originally Posted by kittybug

I've never tried Zumba but had planned on going to a live class tonight...after reading this thread, I'm reconsidering that because I simply cannot wrap my head around no cueing!! There's no CUEING????

I guess I'll still go but I'm now thinking it'll probably be a one and done for me...

You should go anyway. Lots of people love it you might too.

[bubbles76]

Originally Posted by Eibhinn

Also the non-verbal cueing makes instructors look like insane mimes and creeps me out.

Bwauahahahahaha! Except for Christi Taylor, who always looks like magic

[AsSweetAsSugar]

I'm surprised some people tried the DVDs and didn't like the lack of cues my DVDs have the verbal and non verbal cues (sometimes called "Feel it") options, just saying. The only DVDs without cues are the ones filmed live (like a class). I always choose the verbal cues. Bubbles, although CT might looks like magic, her lack of cues didn't make me want to buy her Pure Spice DVD. Thanks goodness there are so many fitness options out there, we are not obligated to love everything, right?!