Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set

I started taking the Zumba classes and was so in love with them that I wanted to do them at home. After researching the Zumba DVD's, I stumbled across this set and bought it. I loved it- but it wasn't like the Zumba Beginners class that I was taking. The first DVD is a beginners DVD that shows you how to do the steps, and includes a 20 minute workout. I am a fairly fit, active female, and broke a sweat in no time with just the instructional DVD. They break each step down into 'easy', 'medium', and 'hard' so you can learn the steps and be confidant enough with them to move up into the other DVD's. Other reviews thought this was lame- I actually loved it. It was very helpful, here I thought I knew the steps all along and I really didn't. It will also help me with my class. The 20 minute workout is also a good beginners dvd, but I assume would get old after you get good at the moves. The Zumba Live DVD is probably most like the Zumba classes, where there is no instruction, and everyone is just dancing in rows. Surprisingly, you can pick up what they're doing, and I really didn't see them use the moves you learn from the first DVD too much, it was a little more freestyle. Beto, the creator of Zumba is kinda crazy- he's hard to understand, but the other female instructors are great and easy to follow.

I also thought this was very different than my classes. I was hoping to hear some of the same music and routines that I see in the live classes I attend, but it's different- not better or worse, just different than I was expecting. The 'weighted dumbells' are kinda lame- they're long, and not real heavy- I haven't used them yet because I find it hard to add yet another dimension to these moves still. You want to make sure you have a good area in front of your TV to do this on, and that you have the ability to jump and move your body weight without having to worry about things falling off bookshelves and such. The reviews that this was cheaply done and put together are false- how could it be cheap? It looks pretty clear from the pictures what you're getting. There were several DVD's and a dumbell set and I thought Amazon.com's price was reasonable for what you get. I don't know what these other people were expecting. I guess this is going to be sold on infomercials, but I have yet to see one yet- it's put together by that Gunthey-Renker brand that touts several other 'as seen on TV' products.

In all, I would highly recommend this, and recommend you wear hip-hop shoes (like the Bloch S0538L sneakers), and as few clothes as possible- each time I try to do this in a tshirt, I end up having to put on a tank by the end of the workout. Get ready to sweat and work your butt off- and you'll be well on your way to needing hip replacement surgery after all this latin dancing!!

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.

I was looking for a workout that I could do in between the days I run and box. I thought this DVD was just going to be a fun break...Its fun but definitely not a break. I purchased the dvd's and popped it in thinking I was just going to do a quick look see before I did it later in the day. It looked like soo much fun I ended up just jumping in..and before I knew it 30 min had passed. The music is great! If you are a true lover of latin music you will def. be able to appreciate the beats and the spanish language(none of that cheesy americanized stuff), its like going to a real latin club. You will sweat if you move (supposedly you can burn between 500-1000 cal/hr!!!). Your waist will feel tight after just one work out- the abs section is amazing!! no more lying down..and it actually looks/feels more effective.
The moves are easy -for the non dancers its easier to get the moves if you feel the music first and then work on the steps- the moves are broken down very well. Ive used the "samba basic" clubbing and it looked very authentic on the dance floor.
Get it! Get it! You will love it -its fun and you will get results aerobically/tone and learn to dance all at the same time...

This video is a great and fun way to get the blood pumping. Continual use of this product helped me drop a dress size with healthy eating. I have some other fun workouts that I love to do, but I really needed something else to rotate in that was less aerobic and more dancing. The music is great, the people on the video are energetic and fun to watch. There is a learning curve when it comes to moving your hips like the people in the video, (I'm a perfectionist, and was frustrated a few times that I couldn't get it), but by the 3rd time, I nailed it! The video actually teaches you real dances, too, so you aren't just working out, you're learning how to do different dances, and move your body to different beats.

It's a easy system for home workout. When I am too busy to hit
the gym, I put on any of the DVDs and have a great time dancing with
Beto and his crew. I especially love the toning and flat ab DVDs, which
add variety to the regular dancing portion of the system. I highly
recommend this for busy people who want to stick to Zumba.

I cancelled my gym membership a few months ago, and have been looking for good at-home workouts to fill the void. I have a treadmill that got a whole week of use, I bought the Turbo Jam DVD set that was fine for 2 weeks but kept my knees sore from all the jumping, and bought the Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred, but got so bored with the repetition and lame music (sorry Jillian!). Then the infommercial for this Zumba DVD set came on in the middle of the night, and I was mesmerized.

A girl I work with goes to the live classes and can't say enough good things about Zumba, so I decided to buy it. Within 5 days I received the DVD set, and couldn't wait to get home from work to try it out.

WHAT A WORKOUT!! I'm no athlete by any means, but I stay in decent shape. Within 5 minutes of just the basics DVD (where they break down the movements in "3 easy beats"), I was already breaking a sweat. By the end of the instructional video, my shirt was soaked. This was just the beginning!

I have since tried all the workouts, and love all of them!! The music is amazing, I find myself actually singing some of the songs to myself at work and bouncing to the beat. The 20-minute workout is great for early mornings to get me energized, then the Cardio Party or the Sculpt and Tone and Flat Abs in the evenings for my full workout. I've lost 7 lbs in the last 3 weeks, and I'm feeling great!

I have never enjoyed working out, but with Zumba I don't feel like I'm exercising. It's like I'm back in dance class, but with a smokin' hot teacher (Beto) and sexy, spicy rhythms.

The movements change too quickly. They need to stay on one exercise for 36 beats not 18. It get's frustrating. Especially since I'm a pro in fitness and have taught exercises to children to the elderly. I had to stop and start the video (after having watched the instructional disc) a multitude of times because I got lost. After two weeks, though, I swaying and moving to the Zumba beat without a problem and I very much want to become an instructor! It's the most fun I've had since teaching aerobics. Don't give up! If you get lost either rewind of make up your own dance moves. I swear you will catch on!!!!!!!!!!!! Then you're hooked and spoiled and nothing else will do! Jan Calini

Zumba is not the hottest thing out there for nothing! I find that this wonderful set comprises a variety of workouts that keep someone from getting bored. They break down the steps in one section. Then there are two different Cardio Party's -- one with refreshers and one without. There is a toning DVD that is great as well. They give you the sticks to work along with them. I think someone just starting out will really benefit. Those of us who have had a lot more weight training probably need to purchase heavier weights. The workout itself is very good, though. I have yet to try the Live Workout. I use the Cardio Party with refreshers three times a week, and the twenty minute express workout or the toning workout the other three days I exercise. The twenty minute workout is also excellent. It gets one's heart pumping. The people I work with keep on commenting that I have gotten really trim and it is noticiable. If you like fast-paced, fun and dancing, you will LOVE this workout!

I am extremely overweight and out of shape so I tried this dance exercise set to see if the infomercial and testimonials were true. They are. I have so much fun and it doesn't feel like a workout but I am moving every part of my body. I can tell a difference after one week. I was hesitant to buy this because people say he stops and talks too much but I didn't think so. He stops after each dance but I keep walking in place. I recommend this to those who don't like exerising like running, sit ups, push ups, etc.

Sue's 1 start review is spot-on - this is an outrageous rip-off. How dare they??!! You can go to the official Zumba web site and get this same set for $59.95. I don't know how they can get away with selling this for over 3 times the full retail price! Amazon - ditch this seller, you don't want to get in bed with sellers like A Tot's Spot if you want to keep your outstanding reputation. I am very disappointed to see a product like this on your site.

Update March 20, 2010:

I see it is now being offered by Amazon at a reasonable price. Gone are sellers trying to rip us off for $189! I plan to purchase this soon and amend my 1 star rating accordingly.
Good move dumping these sellers, Amazon. And power to the Amazon customer reviewers! We help keep things honest.