Results Are In: Overall, Most Could Feel Better!

For those who can't afford a BOSU, try a more affordable CORE ball. Just sitting on it to watch TV can strengthen your abs and core muscles. You can balance on it to do many exercises and get much more benefits from them. I balance with my toes on the floor, my ribs on the ball, and extend my arms up into Ys and Ts to build up my upper body. It's much more challenging than it sounds. Then you can add weights, starting with one lb in each hand, thumbs up, to increase the resistance, for more advanced strength training.

By Mary on 11/19/2009 8:17:24 PM

Never heard of any of these, except regular hula hooping. Might be interesting to try since am trying to lose weight.

By Melissa on 11/15/2009 4:07:09 AM

Take a once a week Zumba class, in addition to pilates, yoga and boot camp. Can't wait for Wed. to roll around because the music is infectious. It stays in my head for days after - I find myself moving my hips in the shower, while cooking, etc. ANYONE can do it and have fun!

By Jerri on 11/13/2009 8:55:00 PM

I would love to try the BOSU classes! I think I am a little too clumsy for Zumba!

By Whitney on 11/7/2009 3:55:00 PM

I love the Zumba classes at Women's Workout World.  I also take the PiYo classes (pilates and yoga), Hip Hop, Strenghth Fusion (cardio and weight listing) and step.  The only thing they don't have are the weighted hula hoops.  I would love that.  I think I will have to buy one and do my hula "hooping" at home. 

By Karen on 11/3/2009 11:10:19 AM

Forza is a blast and is really great at strengthening the core.

By Carrie on 10/29/2009 3:43:30 PM

I just have to give a shout-out to my favorite format: TURBO KICK! It's kickboxing blended with hip-hop moves.  You can buy DVD's for home either from www.turbokick.com or from www.beachbody.com (called Turbo Jam). In my opinion though, taking a live class at a local gym is the most fun, because of the energy of the group, and because the music for the classes is a lot better. I'm an instructor, and it's my addiction :)

By Barbara on 10/20/2009 2:52:41 PM

I bought some zumba dvds online.  I am sure I have 2 left feet!

By Connie on 10/18/2009 11:15:09 PM

The Bosu is great.....try sitting on it crosslegged while watching TV.....if you can :)

By Debra on 10/18/2009 8:45:03 AM

The Bosu ball is great!

By KELLY on 10/15/2009 8:54:21 AM

We have zumba at our local Shapes and just resently was offered a water arobic zumba class. Both are alot of fun. Its a little harder in the water but we have alot of fun.By Trish    10-15-09   6:02 a.m.

By Trish on 10/15/2009 6:08:53 AM

I go to Shapes fitness and they offer Zumba classes.I go to water artobics 3 days a week.They dust started a zumba class in the water. Its a little hard but lots of fun.My name is Trish.I live in Brandon Florida.  

By Trish on 10/15/2009 5:59:11 AM

Used a Bosu ball once while house sitting.  Talk about a core workout!  I'm not as strong as I thought.

By LIZ on 10/15/2009 2:42:07 AM

for those of you that dont know or didnt read the article zumba is dancing/cardio and to find classes I guess you could call a fitness center or local ymca/ywca to see if anyone knows where any classes are being held. PLUS the article says to go to zumba.com to get dvd's.the hula hooping is with WEIGHTED hoops (not the toy ones you get at the stores and they cost like $40 and up)you can also buy online not sure about in stores). the bosu thing(the half of a ball looking thing) you can also buy in stores and online but the cheapest one I found was $75 or so(but above article says you can buy them at bosu.com for about $60. none of these things are cheap so maybe for those who cant afford the classes buy the dvd's and do at home as for the equipment I dont know of any suggestions for someone who might not be able to afford those .

By Tracey on 10/14/2009 2:13:42 PM

A friend of mine made me a weighted hula hoop and I love it!

By Tessa on 10/14/2009 1:15:06 PM

I have a Bosu and it's great for improving balance, and that's important at my age.

By Gail on 10/14/2009 11:58:52 AM

I HAVE BEEN ATTENDING ZUMBA FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS NOW AND I AM ABSOLUTELY ADDICTED TO IT. IT IS LIKE GOING OUT DANCING WITH YOUR FRIENDS, BUT YOU ARE GETTING A WORKOUT! I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO LIKES TO DANCE! (I HAVE ALSO LOST 30 POUNDS SO FAR!!)

By Allison on 10/14/2009 11:16:56 AM

I HAVE BEEN DOING ZUMBA FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS NOW, AND I AM ABSOLUTELY ADDICTED TO IT! I LOVE IT BECAUSE ITS LIKE GOING OUT DANCING WITH YOUR FRIENDS, BUT YOU ARE ACTUALLY WORKING OUT. I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO LIKES TO DANCE. (I HAVE LOST 30 LBS SO FAR!)

By Allison on 10/14/2009 11:14:58 AM

where do you get the weighted hula hoops?

By Marina on 10/14/2009 10:47:11 AM

I go to Zumba at least once a week at 24 Hr Fitness.  I look like a total fool, but I have so much fun.  Before you know it you have sweat rolling off your face, your shirt is soaking and class is almost over.  I highly recomend it to everyone.  I always get in the front row so I can watch the instructors feet  and so I can see them explain the steps before each song.  Go to ZUMBA people!!!

By Andrea on 10/14/2009 10:31:33 AM

Wouild like to try Zumba, How do I get it?MOnique Lussier 860454-8335860-604-9811

By Monique on 10/14/2009 10:24:56 AM

The Zumba sounds like so much fun.  I quickly get tired of the regular workout routine.  This might be just the thing to change it up & keep me on track.

By Shawn on 10/14/2009 9:37:20 AM

I work at a gym that offers the BOSU's and Zumba class.  I often see the class going on, plus since I teach our line dancing class for cardio, I have given the instructor some of my "non-country" music and line dance steps to use in her routine.  The zumba is simple dance steps incorporated into a dance beat that makes you want swing your hips and burn calories while you are at it.  I know our instructor uses the macarena dance with a salsa type music in part of her routine if that gives you an idea.  As for the BOSU's, those are great if you wish to strengthen your core.  If you take one, stand on the bubble side in the center, and take a moment to get your balance.  Then once you have it, lift your right knee to a 90' bend (so your upper leg is parallel to the floor) and hold for 5 seconds.  Trust me, it's harder than you think because of the squishiness of the bosu.  Your core has to engage to keep you balanced on a non-sturdy surface while you are on one foot.  After the 5 seconds is up, bring your foot back down and switch to bringing your left foot up for 5 seconds.  Try it and you might be surprised!  Good luck!

By Jody on 10/14/2009 9:32:01 AM

I love Zumba! It's so much fun. You lose yourself in the dancing that it doesn't even feel like exercise! I'd love to try hooping!

By Erin on 10/14/2009 8:53:06 AM

I have a BoSU its so much easier on my back when doing sit ups... now if i only would use it....

By Rochelle on 10/14/2009 8:46:41 AM

I heard from my mother that hula hooping was a good exercise,I use to be good at it when I was alittle girl wonder can I still do it now?

By toney on 10/14/2009 8:36:34 AM

I would love to try any one of these.....my husband and I have recently changed our eating habits and have gone mostly Vegan.  We now have to start doing some sort of exercise.  We are so wanting to loose all this weight that we have put on. We can't do it alonge, BUT with God...ALL things are possible!!

By Lori on 10/14/2009 7:47:24 AM

I can't hula hoop but maybe my daughter could teach me. I'd love to do something new and fun!

By Shirley on 10/14/2009 6:55:40 AM

WOW! I HAVE HEARD OF ZUMBA & I THINK THEY ARE GREAT!  :) I JUST WISH I COULD AFFORD ONE! I WOULD LOVE TO GET INTO SHAPE & DANCE DANCE DANCE!!!  :)

By Susan K. on 10/14/2009 5:46:04 AM

I love to dance and I've never heard of Zumba. Where can I get one and how does it work?

By Naomi on 10/14/2009 1:49:35 AM

I saw a sign for Zumba at a local dance studio. Interesting now I know what it is. Sounds like something I would enjoy!

By Sandra on 10/14/2009 12:17:47 AM

Im game for BOSU, I do pilates and I could easily work this into my routing for a more focused workout.

By Kristina on 10/13/2009 11:54:38 PM

Wow! This sounds like a really great idea.  I love music and it just makes it so much easier to move to the rhythm. I have 2 other pieces of equipment in our small apartement and spent a lot of money for them, but they just set here taking up room. If this would work for both of us, I sure would love to try it. It looks like it takes very little real estate on the floor, too. If we like it, we can get rid of the other monsters in the house!

By Marilyn on 10/13/2009 11:42:49 PM

I heard about Zumba last week when I stopped the Being Fit place that I belong to. I thought of going, but that's one of my problems, getting motivated to do it. I also belong to the 24 hour fitness here by my house and should check what they have too. Is Zumba hard to learn?I personally do a lot of execising at home. I have a Stable Bike, exercise ball, stair-stepper, elipitical machine, and also a treadmill. I also do yoga and arm and leg weight exercises. Now that I think of it, I even have a hula hoop here at my house and it's been years since I even tried to coordinate doing it. Maybe I should try that too. I had bought mine at a Toys R Us that was just a walk from my home, that went out of business years ago.I didn't realize that they had classes using hoops. Are the normally supplied there are do you have to bring your own?

By Colleen on 10/13/2009 11:29:45 PM

I`ve never tried the zumba but it is really easy to get bored while exercising. Something like this might be worth a try. I love Latin music!

By Vicki on 10/13/2009 10:45:54 PM

I too wish we had those in our area

By Toni on 10/13/2009 10:23:03 PM

We have a zumba instructor that comes to our office once a week and I love it.  It really works you out, but you don't feel like you are doing a workout.  It is great for everyone - even if you can't dance!  I have 2 left feet

By TERRI on 10/13/2009 9:57:41 PM

I took a Hula class once and it was a lot harder then you think!

By Suzanne on 10/13/2009 9:55:47 PM

I have one of the large weighted hula hoops.  I love it, but my little dog hates it.  She stands and barks the whole time.  I would love to try the BOSU.  We use one at work (physical therapy office) but I have nver had the opportunity to try it.

By Carmen on 10/13/2009 9:35:03 PM

my daughter and i both go to Zumba twice a week its a blast

By Rebecca on 10/13/2009 8:22:48 PM

If you're intersted in hula-hooping and you live in the Cincy area, there's an instructor in Glendale (Diane Meyer) who does the classes outdoors, weather permitting.  I've tried the Zumba classes and they are not for me--not coordinated at all!

By Sarah on 10/13/2009 8:15:51 PM

I wish we had these classes at my gym! The hula hooping sounds fun!

By Tracy on 10/13/2009 6:47:13 PM

I love Zumba!  It is so much fun you forget you are exercising!

By Abbigail on 10/13/2009 6:43:04 PM

In the past month I've gone to Zumba AND Hoopnotica classes at our local 24 Hour Fitness and enjoyed both. Also fun calorie burners I've tried in the past month:TaeBoKickboxing and Niaand great body toning classes: Yoga and Pilates

By Daphne on 10/13/2009 6:33:28 PM

I think that I my try the hula hooping.  I use to do it as a young girl and I loved it.  Why not, try it now for a little change in my routine.  Thanks

By Cynthia on 10/13/2009 6:26:04 PM