We've talked in the past about the importance of keeping fit during pregnancy, and the difficulty in finding the time to fit exercise in when you've got a young baby. Between breastfeeding, nappy changing and napping, it's tough to squeeze in a trip to the gym, but there are alternatives. We've looked at Power Plates, which is great for toning up, and now we're looking at Zumba for a harder cardio workout.
I've caught the occasional TV advert for Zumba and been intrigued by the high intensity, 20-minute cardio and dance workout (and slightly hypnotised by the various six packs on display.) Great for those with the rhythm and fitness levels of an olympic athlete, but what about the rest of us?
The people behind Zumba sent me one of the DVD and dumbell sets to try out at home. Here's how I got on.
The people behind Zumba describe the program as a way to fuse "hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away". The DVD comes with several discs that cover a twenty minute workout, an hour long workout and a workout designed to tone you up using the included toning sticks.
It's a pretty hardcore workout, but due to its dance basis it still manages to be enjoyable. The instructors will talk you through an assortment of latin dance styles, including salsa, samba and cumbia, which are separated into manageable five minute chunks. I struggled a bit with some of the moves, but there's a step-by-step tutorial to check back on if you need to. The 20-minute workout is suited for an early morning workout or to fit in when the baby is napping.
Results wise, it's great for toning up your bingo wings, waist and improving your core muscles (essential post-baby). I've also noticed a big difference in my legs after only using it a couple of times a week. If you want a quick workout that will tone you up and help lose the baby weight, then this is an excellent option. The whole set of DVDs and toning sticks are available for £50.
ParentView score: 5/5