the end of an era
Hi friends! How’s the day going? Hope you’ve been enjoying the morning! It’s raining here, which has been cozy and absolutely beautiful (and much needed here in CA, where we currently have a crazy drought). Liv and I were total sleepyheads and took our time getting ready this morning.
Thank you so much for your heartfelt comments and sharing in the excitement of our good news from yesterday’s appointment. It was a huge relief, and we have one more ultrasound appointment later on just to verify that everything is bueno (and to see if I’m officially growing a 10-pounder haha).
(I think we’ve officially hit the torpedo phase. Last night was a treadmill walk + TRX combo.)
I wanted to show you guys this yogurt obsession. I’ve been enjoying this one for a couple of years, and it’s kind of hard to find. It’s goat’s milk Greek yogurt, and has awesome protein content (12-14g) and tastes AMAZING. There is added sugar, but it makes it taste less goat-y. I’ve only been able to find it at Whole Foods, so whenever we get the chance to go, I stock up.
So today marked the end of an era: I cancelled my ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network) membership. (Time to update the ol’ About page!) I’ve talked about it a few times before, but I feel like Zumba has been declining both in popularity and in the quality of the resources they offer instructors. As a subscribing instructor, you receive either a monthly Mix CD or CD/DVD combo (they alternate each month). The CD/DVD combo offers music + choreography that you can use for your classes. It’s been a long time since I’ve been really excited about a ZIN DVD. The music all sounds very similar, and while I do like to choreograph my own dances and scope out my own music, I felt like I was wasting the monthly fee since it’s gone consistently unused. I’m not currently teaching Zumba, since I’m on maternity leave from BODYPUMP, Spin and Zumba, but am not sure if I’ll teach it again after baby arrives. I feel like new dance cardio formats are gaining popularity (U-Jam, Werk, and even POUND which looks like a lot of fun), while Zumba hit its high note a few years ago. As an instructor, it’s important to stay on top of what’s hot and offer classes that participants want to see. There are still some HUGE Zumba classes, and it really depends on the instructor, but I’ve found that some of the most successful Zumba instructors around here do not teach according to the Zumba format, which is supposed to be 70% Latin music. They roll with mostly hip hop and top 40s music with some Latin stuff thrown in. I could do that later and call it Club Cardio or something different. We shall see!
I feel badly because I finally got the chance to MEET BETO this year at IDEA, and he was so kind and humble. Also, the class he taught was a BLAST. He created something that changed the world, inspiring millions of people to become active, and I admire him greatly. It was really cool to be a part of the Zumba family since 2009.
I’m excited to explore some new certifications and teaching options, and see what happens next. 😉
What’s your current favorite group fitness class? Are there any “old school” workouts that you LOVE? I still want to see step aerobics make a comeback. That double-step, tho.
Have a wonderful afternoon!
xoxo
Gina
Congratulations to the winner of the Lorna Jane giveaway: Laura B.! Check your email and we’ll get your gift card on the way. 🙂 I have an Instagram giveaway going on right now (3 copies of Soli Beat) if you’d like to check it out. Winners will be chosen tomorrow.
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I teach Step aerobics at my school’s campus Rec, and it’s so sad to see the Step attendance next to the Zumba attendance! Im trying real hard to bring it back with the college-aged participants!
I work at Robibs AFB and we have step aerobics, so much fun!!!! Def one of my favorite classes. The instructor def makes a huge difference and we have a good one!
ahhh! that is awesome! the BEST step classes i ever took were at ft bragg in fayetteville
I’m always a sucker for yoga. Sometimes I work in a barre workout here and there.
I used to LOVE Zumba because my instructor made all of the choreography herself, and I literally did one of the numbers at my wedding! haha I haven’t taken Zumba in probably 5 years though since I moved up north to New England.
xo Annie
get gorgeous: http://www.collectivepassions.com
It’s hard to let a good thing go but sometimes it has run its course and is necessary. It will come back to you if it is meant to be.
A close friend recently ditched Zumba in favor of what our gym called “club dance” which I lovingly referred to as “cardio twerk hour”. We also have OULA, which is a top 40 based class that is lots of fun. The company also has a lot of neat wellbeing practices that they incorporate into the program (monthly aspirations and themes for whole health, not just aesthetic goals).
I’m really interested in indo row and shockwave in terms of the next “big” thing and they seem to be building in popularity.
cardio tweak hour sounds like a blast 🙂
and shockwave is amazing! i highly recommend it if you can take a class
Torpedo phase LOL! I love it!
Jazzercise is the jam! Their main headquarters where they do all the choreography and the president teaches classes is in southern California – http://jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/jazzercise-oceanside-fitness-center and they have free childcare. I’d love to see a Focus On post with Jazzercise featured 🙂 So many younger women shy away from it b/c of the reputation of “my mom used to do that” but it’s the original dance workout and it’s still around b/c it’s the best.
I STILL need to try it so i can do a focus on post! maybe i’ll find a class this weekend 🙂
FYI instructors get new DVDs every 10 weeks with choreography, it’s like a Christmas present when it arrives. No worries about straying from the class formula or having to make up your own moves, but still plenty of flexibility to put together an awesome set with songs you like.
Jazzercise is fantastic! I’m a little biased (as an instructor) but it’s one of the most fun workouts I’ve ever done. It definitely skews towards an older set, but as a 26 year old, I feel that the music and choreo are really current. It would be WONDERFUL to see your thoughts on Jazzercise on the blog. And there are great low impact modifications for pregnancy 🙂
ok i definitely need to go for it
I’m 29 and bought a Groupon for Jazzercise and LOVED it!
i’m totally going to try it!
I loved step aerobics back in high school and was excited when I saw my gym offered les mills Body Step, I go once a week.
I just discovered a sheep milk yogurt from Ari’s Natural Foods from Inglewood. I just moved to Orange County and found this wonderful producer at a local farmer’s market. They only use local fruit to sweeten the yogurt. I am hooked on it now. So thick and creamy. Not sure if they come to SD farmer’s markets but if you ever make it to a market they are at you must try it!
that sounds amaaaazing
You’re absolutely right–there are trends in the fitness industry, and to be a successful instructor, you need to stay on top of those. I feel lucky to have found a position that I love as a teacher at a Pure Barre studio, but I know there’s a good chance barre workouts will be less popular in a couple of years. It’s all about the ebb and flow. Best of luck to you figuring out what to teach next after baby!
i was wondering that about barre, too, because i love teaching it so much! i hope it has a long life 🙂
Looking great, Gina!
I have got to find that goats greek at whole foods!! I can’t eat cow dairy so goat is def my friend and love the high protein content .
I’ve been loving our fitness group on Facebook as the gym isn’t an option for me. Looking forward to 21 day fix !
ahhh i hope you can find it! i think you would love it! thank you for all of your awesome check-ins in the group, too!
I think you made the right choice change is sad but inevitable sometimes. Enjoy the rainy morning!
called it! I saw the title and i was thinking… she went into labor early… NO ZUMBA?! gina without zumba… thats different! hope you find a new dance cardio love 🙂
hahah! not quite 🙂
thank you! i’m sure i will. there are so many!
We still offer step at my gym and I get really excited to teach it! We do a Step & Sculpt class and it’s a blast. I wish it would make a big comeback 🙂
i wish, too!
We just got POUND at my gym and I LOOOOOVE IT! I keep thinking about your Zumba posts because I agree 100%. I take 2 Zumba classes a week and the dances have really gone down content wise. I think it depends on the instructor, too. Some are awesome and some make me want to siesta.
ahhh i’m excited to try it! and yes, it’s a bummer that things have declined. if you want GREAT choreo, you have to do it yourself or find something on youtube
I totally can relate, I cancelled my ZIN membership a few months ago. While I taught here and there, wasn’t as marketable in NYC as I was hoping it would be. It’s certainly become less and less popular here, like many other crazes that come and go.
The gym I went to in the suburbs of NYC still has a step aerobics crowd– I loved taking step when I was home from college.
it felt like such a bummer after being a member for so long, but i think it was time
that’s awesome you have a great class close to you!
You should check out MixxedFit! It’s like hip hop Zumba. SO fun!
oh i will definitely check it out!
It’s true… crossfitters always talk about how much they love crossfit….
crossfit will forever be my fav. group fitness.
I love POUND! I’d really recommend trying it out
Gina, they had that yogurt at the grocery outlet in point loma last week. They were under $1 each!
Have you tried Sh’bam? Its been around for a while but still pretty popular where I live in Sweden..
I love busting out my Reebok Step…the old school DVDs are no joke…leotards and all! 😉
Yoga sculpt is still my favorite group class! I never really got into other workout classes. I also like spinning a lot!
I looooved step aerobics!
When I saw the name of your post I was freaking out because I thought it meant you were going to stop blogging( insert shocked emoji and sobbing emoji faces)!
Although I am sad to hear you will be stopping Zumba, I think you’re onto something with Club Cardio!
haha it will take a lot to get rid of me 😉
xoxo
LOVE POUND! It’s so great, it never feels like you’re working that hard, but oh man, the next day! Perpetually in a plie squat and a great lower back workout… LOVE ! 😀 My work currently only offers it at one of the campuses, so sometimes I find a reason to go work there on that day 🙂 just to take it.
i can’t wait to try it!
Speaking of old school workouts, last time I was at my parents’ house, I found a bunch of VHS tapes of workout shows my mom recorded in the 90s OMG. Lots of Gilad, Cathe Friedrich, and my personal favorite was Basic Training: The Workout, which I totally remember watching on AFN when we were stationed in Germany.
ohhh i love cathe friedrich!
They also have it at jimbos 🙂
i still haven’t been to jimbo’s!
I too, am planning to cancel my ZIN membership this month, for the same reasons as you. I have been holding on for so long hoping the program and materials provided to us would improve, but they just haven’t. I feel badly about it, but it’s just not the same anymore.
same. i held onto it for so long, but it’s still as blah as ever. i miss the good ol’ days!
I am an avid runner but injured my knee. So I tried spinning as an alternative and am hooked!
Gina,
Have you ever tried Jazzercise? It seems like a great fit for you because you love dance cardio & strength. The classes have loads of variety and are a lot of fun. Today’s Jazzercise is waaay better than even a few years ago. Hope you check it out and write a review.
I’m thinking they stretched themselves too thin, ie Zumba Step, all the kids versions, etc. Stick with Zumba, Aqua Zumba was creative, leave it at that. Or is it the fault of the latin music community that no crazy beats are coming out? Or is Beto too obsessed with making his own music videos (Beto and Mara-together-for the 3rd time….are you really going to count them all man?!)
However, I have to disagree in that I was really digging my ZIN at the beginning of this year. Haven’t listened/watched anything new since the summer, but I still have them all (cause I’m still getting it paid for 😉 so no loss of mine).