Zumba Fitness Exhilarate: The Ultimate Experience DVD Set Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Zumba definitely changed my life. I used to hate working out, but now it's my favorite part of the day. Until I had the courage to start attending a live Zumba class, I had been using Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set. After 3 years, though, it was a bit boring with the same music and routines. When I saw that they were releasing a new DVD set, I knew I had to buy it.
The set comes with 7 DVDs, a pair of toning sticks, and a program guide.
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DVDs:
1. STEP-BY-STEP- This DVD breaks down the basic Zumba rhythms: merengue, salsa, reggaeton, calypso, cumbia. belly dance. (Unlike with the older DVD set, there is no step-by-step for samba, which kind of annoyed me because samba can be rather tricky. However, they do cover the basic samba step in the Mix DVD.) The steps are broken down by Gina and Tanya (from the previous DVD set.) You have the option of viewing the moves from both the front and back.
2. ACTIVATE- features a 45-minute workout with Gina and Tanya that applies all the moves learned in the previous DVD.
3. RUSH- a high-energy, 20-minute workout with two different instructors, Kass and Loretta, for when you do not have much time.
4. EXHILARATE- full-length (60-minute) workout with Beto and another instructor, Melissa.
5. RIPPED- 60-minute body-sculpting workout that's split up in two sections. The first is Toning which uses the sticks, and is hosted by Beto and two other instructors, Jani and Melissa. The second is Sentao which features chair routines, and is hosted by Beto and another instructor, Marcie.
6. MIX- features routines from different places and cultures. This DVD is supposed to be more advanced, and is hosted by Tanya and Beto, along with experts from around the world. You have the option of seeing the routines broken down beforehand, which is really helpful because some of the moves are really complicated!
7. FITNESS CONCERT- 60-minute live concert starring Beto and several of the instructors featured in the other DVDs. The concert was filmed in front of thousands of Zumba enthusiasts and has the same songs found in the Exhilarate DVD.
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PROS:
-- The production quality is AMAZING! I have never seen an at-home workout DVD that even comes close. I always enjoyed the previous DVD set because of the colors. The new DVD set takes things to a whole other level. Everything is vibrant and colorful. There's a definite party feel.
-- The routines really look like music videos. The new DVD set feels more like the experience of a live class. You have the option of turning off the cueing and just listening to the music on each of the DVDs.
-- There's a slew of new music and different routines. You get to "meet" different instructors. In addition to the Zumba staples (merengue, reggaeton, salsa, cumbia, etc.), there are routines that feature tango, swing, axé, hip-hop, etc. The Mix DVD alone if great because it gives the opportunity to learn so many different moves. CONS:
-- I know the lighting is to help create a visual effect, but sometimes it makes it difficult to see the steps.
-- The Sentao section requires a lot of floor space. You have to be able to walk around a chair. You also need a sturdy chair since you have to do lunges and other things with it.
-- The 1-lb. toning sticks might be too light for some people. There are 2.5-lbs. sticks available, but you have to buy them separately from the Zumba website.
-- Some of the DVDs do not have warm-ups or cool-downs. According to the program guide, you are supposed to do the cool-down found on the Exhilaration DVD, but are you really going to change discs?
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The best part about Zumba is that anyone can do it. It doesn't matter if you are in-shape or not, as long as you are moving, sweating, and having fun. Not only will you notice a difference in your body, but you will also feel better and more energized. When I started doing Zumba, I was over 200 pounds and had no energy. Zumba gave me a reason to be motivated and enjoy what life has to offer.
Overall, this DVD set has a lot of offer, so unlike with other workout DVDs, you won't get bored easily. The routines are a lot of fun, and you will definitely get a workout. I use this along with Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set whenever I can't attend a live class.


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