A Review of the Zumba Fitness DVD Set (2008)
The Zumba DVD set includes 4 DVD's that have six classes total. It comes with a set of toning sticks and a guide book.
Using the Zumba DVD Set
Start with the Zumba Basics and 20-minute Express workout (both workouts on the same DVD). The Zumba Basics
instruction is very thorough. It was a full hour filled with 24 basic step variations to several rhythms including merenge,
salsa, quebradita, cumbia, reggaeton, Carribean Island and samba. The instruction is well-organized into what they
refer to as a three-level easy beat system. In the first level they show the steps slowly without the arm or hip
movements. In the second level they add the arms and hips but still do it to a half-tempo beat. Then in the third level
you do the step at full tempo. The full hour of basic instruction can be used as a workout in itself. But if you still have
some energy, continue watching and do the 20-minute express which reinforces all the basic moves you've just
learned. This 20-minute workout will get your heart rate up and is a nice alternative for when you don't have a full
hour to workout.
The Cardio Party DVD is a 50-minute workout. Cardio Party uses the same rhythms that you learned in the basic
instruction, reinforcing all those moves that you learned and put into practice in the 20-minute express workout. This
DVD gives you two viewing options: one with "rhythm refreshers" and one without. The "rhythm refreshers" are labels
on the bottom of the screen during the workout. The labels list the names of the steps that were taught in the Basics
workout. When you click on a rhythm refresher label, it takes you to the original instruction of that particular step.
When you are done viewing it will take you right back to where you left off in the Cardio Party workout. The Cardio
Party also adds a little more choreography that is characteristic of Zumba, playing to the musicality in the songs, but
still very easy to follow. Also, there is an "American Mix" song in this workout which is a combination of country and
rock and roll music.
The third Zumba fitness DVD in the trio pack is the Sculpt and Tone which is a 45 minute zumba toning class. Here's
where you will use the toning sticks that came with the DVD kit. This is a very nice workout and you could very well do
it without the weights. This Zumba fitness workout will have you doing squats, lunges, bicep curls, tricep curls and
rows as well as some very fun choreography. Additional rhythms such as belly dance and flamenco are represented
on this one. Although the basic steps of these rhythms were not broken down in the previous DVD, Beto Perez and
his crew make it very easy to follow and learn. This workout also includes a cardio section to an African Beats rhythm
where they do not use the weights, and then it finishes with a cool down.
A separate DVD is included that has two workouts: Zumba Fitness Live! and Flat Abs. In the Zumba Fitness Live
you get to feel the energy of being in a live class, moving and shaking with a crowd of 300 people! In this 55-minute
workout Beto really shows his personality onstage along with his cast of Zumba dancers. Several of the rhythms
previously taught are represented. The Flat Abs workout on the same DVD is more of a fitness-oriented (than dance)
workout but still more fun than a typical abs workout! This 20-minute abs workout is done entirely standing (no
sit-ups!) and is quite a cardio workout as well. You will do movements that will work the core such as twists, side arm
reaches, knee lifts, oblique crunches and hip circles to name a few. It is all mixed in with some Zumba dancing to more
great music!
In summary, I think it is a nicely organized fitness program. It is a great introduction for the new Zumba fitness
enthusiast, and if done on a regular basis, should be a very effective weight-loss and toning exercise program.
The set reviewed on this page is the 2008 version. A 2011 Zumba DVD Set has just been released. It is bigger
and better but also more expensive.
The Zumba DVD set includes 4 DVD's that have six classes total. It comes with a set of toning sticks and a guide book.
Using the Zumba DVD Set
Start with the Zumba Basics and 20-minute Express workout (both workouts on the same DVD). The Zumba Basics
instruction is very thorough. It was a full hour filled with 24 basic step variations to several rhythms including merenge,
salsa, quebradita, cumbia, reggaeton, Carribean Island and samba. The instruction is well-organized into what they
refer to as a three-level easy beat system. In the first level they show the steps slowly without the arm or hip
movements. In the second level they add the arms and hips but still do it to a half-tempo beat. Then in the third level
you do the step at full tempo. The full hour of basic instruction can be used as a workout in itself. But if you still have
some energy, continue watching and do the 20-minute express which reinforces all the basic moves you've just
learned. This 20-minute workout will get your heart rate up and is a nice alternative for when you don't have a full
hour to workout.
The Cardio Party DVD is a 50-minute workout. Cardio Party uses the same rhythms that you learned in the basic
instruction, reinforcing all those moves that you learned and put into practice in the 20-minute express workout. This
DVD gives you two viewing options: one with "rhythm refreshers" and one without. The "rhythm refreshers" are labels
on the bottom of the screen during the workout. The labels list the names of the steps that were taught in the Basics
workout. When you click on a rhythm refresher label, it takes you to the original instruction of that particular step.
When you are done viewing it will take you right back to where you left off in the Cardio Party workout. The Cardio
Party also adds a little more choreography that is characteristic of Zumba, playing to the musicality in the songs, but
still very easy to follow. Also, there is an "American Mix" song in this workout which is a combination of country and
rock and roll music.
The third Zumba fitness DVD in the trio pack is the Sculpt and Tone which is a 45 minute zumba toning class. Here's
where you will use the toning sticks that came with the DVD kit. This is a very nice workout and you could very well do
it without the weights. This Zumba fitness workout will have you doing squats, lunges, bicep curls, tricep curls and
rows as well as some very fun choreography. Additional rhythms such as belly dance and flamenco are represented
on this one. Although the basic steps of these rhythms were not broken down in the previous DVD, Beto Perez and
his crew make it very easy to follow and learn. This workout also includes a cardio section to an African Beats rhythm
where they do not use the weights, and then it finishes with a cool down.
A separate DVD is included that has two workouts: Zumba Fitness Live! and Flat Abs. In the Zumba Fitness Live
you get to feel the energy of being in a live class, moving and shaking with a crowd of 300 people! In this 55-minute
workout Beto really shows his personality onstage along with his cast of Zumba dancers. Several of the rhythms
previously taught are represented. The Flat Abs workout on the same DVD is more of a fitness-oriented (than dance)
workout but still more fun than a typical abs workout! This 20-minute abs workout is done entirely standing (no
sit-ups!) and is quite a cardio workout as well. You will do movements that will work the core such as twists, side arm
reaches, knee lifts, oblique crunches and hip circles to name a few. It is all mixed in with some Zumba dancing to more
great music!
In summary, I think it is a nicely organized fitness program. It is a great introduction for the new Zumba fitness
enthusiast, and if done on a regular basis, should be a very effective weight-loss and toning exercise program.
The set reviewed on this page is the 2008 version. A 2011 Zumba DVD Set has just been released. It is bigger
and better but also more expensive.
ZUMBA® and the Zumba Fitness logo are trademarks of Zumba Fitness LLC, used under license.
NEW zumba dvd collection | zumba dvd I zumba fitness I dance-exercise DVD's become a zumba instructor I zumba instructor workshop |
| zumba dvd I zumba dvd review I zumba fitness I dance-exercise DVD's Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved. www.dancenyoga.com |
This is the 2008 set that
is reviewed on this page.
is reviewed on this page.
Here is the newest Zumba DVD collection
2011, Exhilarate. It ships for free on Amazon!
2011, Exhilarate. It ships for free on Amazon!
Reviewed on
this page
this page
The newest Zumba DVD
set, Exhilarate.
set, Exhilarate.
Reviewed on this page
The newest Zumba DVD
set, Exhilarate.
set, Exhilarate.