ZUMBATotal Body Transformation System DVD Set

Okay, okay, I fell for the infomercial. I was looking for something that was pure cardio and this really seemed to fit the bill. So I gave it a try and I don't have any regrets! Honestly, I had four other dance workout dvds in my Amazon wishlist--after doing the Zumba 20-min workout, I deleted the wishlist. No kidding.What you'll definitely need: WATER!! And plenty of it! Also, a little room to dance around in. Of course, the workouts and the toning sticks are provided for you.What might need: Since the toning sticks are crazy light (1 lb. each ??), you may want to throw on a pair of weighted hand gloves if you have them. I've also tried just using regular hand weights but at the fast pace of this workout and since the toning workout is "dancey," they were a little difficult to handle.Workouts: The basics "workout" isn't really a workout but breaks down the moves using a 3-step process working up to the full dance move. (I'd break it down but there's 20+ moves) This is about an hour but, I feel, well worth the watch, even if you are a seasoned dance dvd phenom. And if not, the moves are super easy.The other actual workouts, of course, use the moves from "basics" but also does variations of these moves (don't worry, they'll give you a heads up.) Some mainstay dance routines are Samba, Merengue, Reggaeton (my fav!), Cumbia, Mambo and Salsa but I was pleasantly surprised that were more styles of dancing included in the workout other than Latin. Cardio Party (my fav!) has an "American Mix" section that features a bit of country dancing and an ode to 1950s Americana. There's also some African steps that are really fun, too (you'll see them in Zumba Sculpt and Tone and in Zumba Live). You'll also see some bellydance (kinda, sort of) ;-) and Flamenco.A few things that might trip you up:1. The cueing, though not terrible, could be a bit better.2. During the "basics" workout, Tanya (??), the girl who co-hosts the workout with Beto, says to just keep to beat. This tidbit really comes in handy because there are a few (VERY few but noticable) editing issues. So you might think you're on the wrong foot when in reality, the editor messed up. But no worries, the scene will cut and everything is back to normal. (In other words, just keep in step with the beat of the music and eventually, you and those working out of the dvd will be back in unison.)3. Beto has a REALLY rich accent so it can be sort of hard to pick what he's saying at first. I found, after doing the workouts a while, my ear has become more apt at understanding him--so maybe it will for you, too.A couple of personal pet-peeves:1. The toning sticks. They seemed like a great idea but the constant raddling kind of started to get on my nerves.2. After each routine, there's this pause to introduce the next routine. I'm not really sure about how I feel about this because sometimes I think "thank goodness, I thought I was gonna die." But other times I feel like the breaks just slow down the workout. Jury's still out on that one.Overall: What else can I say that I haven't already. I really dug this workout. 'Nuff said.*Side note: I know there has been some debate over price on this item. I love this workout and bought this from Amazon (only 60 bucks + free shipping at the time), but seriously, it's really not worth spending over $100 for.

Had never heard of Zumba until it was announced on our local news that there was a Zumba party going on---checked into it and it turns out there's 357 classes offered in our city alone! Jumped on Amazon, checked out the reviews, and bought the set. Now, I'm hooked!!There are a total of 6 work-outs: Basics, 20-Minute Express, Cardio Party, Sculpt & Tone, Flat Abs & Zumba Live. You also get a pair of toning sticks plus a booklet that has 3 schedules in it; a beginner's schedule with the Basics broken down, a 10-day accelerated fat-loss program and a 10 day tighten & tone schedule. The booklet schedules start out with two days of the basics to get the steps down, then continues with one week of the 20 minute work-out. There are a lot of moves but they are pretty easy to follow. The moves are then used in the work-outs. Some have slight variations but are still pretty easy to follow. I am alternating the workouts between the two 10 day schedules for maximum results.I also purchased the Zumba book for the diets, and together have already lost eight pounds in just one week! The book also includes three 14 day-diets and one 5 day diet, which I will also be alternating to get the max results. The best thing about all of the diets (even one sample diet listed in the Zumba pamphlet included with the DVD's) is that all the food is pretty "normal." There are no strange ingredients to add like with some other diets, so the diets are pretty easy to incoporate for the whole family without anyone thinking anything is "weird."Other's have mentioned the crazy-light toning sticks, and they are right, the sticks are super light. But, considering I have always had a big frame, they are perfect for me because as a woman, I do not want to end up with a body of a line-backer! So the weight feels perfect for me. I may try weighted gloves later on to get a bit more of a tone going, but I sure won't be going too heavy with them.Beto's accent is very rich but manageable. His assistant Tanya translates almost immediately when it's obvious the words are kind of funky (i.e., he prounces urban as u-ban, so Tanya corrects). Other than that I have no issues with the talking that goes on. There is about a 5 second lull between each of the different moves that target a new area but I don't mind at all because it gives me a chance to get that gulp of water that I need!All in all, I have been very happy with all of the dancing going on, plus the weight I am losing. I am very overweight so if there is a concern out there about being able to do this, you can do it!! Some of the moves are way too fast for me but as I've been going along, it's gotten easier for me. Sweating up a storm and loving every minute of it!!!UPDATE: After almost two months of Zumba, I have lost 15 pounds, and that's because I couldn't work out for about 8 days after coming down with bronchitis! I've gone thru other reviews that critisize Beto but I guarantee, those are the folks who are looking for excuses not to work out. My daughter and I Zumba together, and she doesn't even break a sweat or breathe hard, however, she also doesn't move near as much as I do! When I started scolding her about not moving her entire body, and she started to, she finally broke that sweat and was breathing like Darth Vader! So, put everything you've got into it, let loose, and you WILL get a good work out!

When I bought this Zumba fitness workout program, I certainly didn't have any great expectations of becoming another Alberto "Beto" Perez, but just keeping fit through the winter months. The music associated with Zumba is totally infectious and if you've been on YouTube to watch some of the dancers, you're going to want in.The first few times I watched the instructional DVDs it was ... nope, this is not for me and I'll never learn it. What I did was throw in some of my own moves, but kept moving. The steps are broken out and are very easy to understand, but implementing them in a smooth manner is quite another thing. Remember when you learned to type on a keyboard? Same thing ... everything just takes time.The twenty-minute workout is just that ... a workout. I danced with a much younger friend, who is a dancer, and she loved it. She claimed, "this really is quite a workout." If you are looking for this as a means to lose weight (I was not), there are some tips and recipes included. Keep in mind this is a lifestyle change and the decision is up to you. Simply by buying this program you aren't going to lose weight, shape up, and having everyone complimenting you next week. This takes time and commitment.And so what do I think? I think this program is a lot of fun and well worth the money. Zumba fitness is a great way to get fit, or at least moving. Keep in mind, it does take time to learn the basics, but when you do you'll have a lot of fun. I certainly did and don't regret purchasing Zumba!