Shake, Step and Fashion Friday
Hi guys!! How’s your Friday treating ya? Hope it’s been lovely 🙂
Zumba this morning was off the chizzle. Two hours!
Loved. Every. Second.
Here’s some info about Zumba for those of you who are wondering what the heck my fitness obsession is.
Zumba is an aerobics fitness program that was created primarily by Beto Perez. Zumba originated in Colombia in the 1990s, when Beto forgot a CD for his aerobics class. He used one of his personal CDs (traditional Latin music) and taught a dance-style aerobics class on the spot. Zumba was born! Since then, it has become a crazy booty-shaking world phenomenon, with over 6 million participants taking classes each week (Source). Zumba got its namesake from the buzzing of bees… Zuuuuuumba–it’s Colombian slang for “fast.” Zumba is a Latin-style dance class (including salsa, merengue, cha-cha, cumbia, soca and samba), combined with hip hop and reggaeton, as well as international styles of dance like bellydancing, flamenco, Bollywood and African. Most classes should be about 70% Latin dances with 30% for the rest of the other fun stuff. Many classes will utilize an interval style of training–combining slower dances with faster upbeat songs and songs dedicated to toning movements (arms, abs, legs). The instructor will usually dance in front of the class, while the students follow along. Each song will repeat the same movements, so that it’s easier to pick up. There are over 25,000 Zumba instructors and Zumba is taught in over 100 countries For more info, check out my *Daily Spark article on Zumba*
I munched this snack after:
Goat milk yogurt and carrots
+ a Rudi’s hamburger bun (leftover from the pilot’s and in-laws burger dinner) smeared with almond butter
Nice-looking bun, eh? 😉
Next was Flirty Girl Fitness.
Some info on Flirty Girl:
- Flirty Girl is brand-spanking new
- Each dance has 4 “moves” that are repeated throughout for 32 beats each
- There are 102 Flirty Girl moves and each one has its own [goofy] name
- Examples:
-Flirty Bunny
-Hump Dat
-Cork n’ Peek
-No you din’t
-Chicka Chugs
Not even joking.
Flirty girls in da house:
This class wasn’t really my style. It wasn’t nearly as raunchy as the infomercials make it look (as the instructor said “we’re Flirty, not dirty”) but I was super bored from repeating the same moves for each dance. Flirty Girl would be fun for girls with aerobics backgrounds that have never danced (it’s very fitness-y) but if you like to *really* dance (even if you’ve never done it before!), I’d go with Zumba. You don’t have to be a good dancer to Zumba. The main difference between FG and Zumba is that in FG, it doesn’t matter what music you use—it just needs to have a solid beat (like techno remixes of top 40 stuff). In Zumba, the music determines the movements and each move goes with what the song expresses… I much prefer that.
While Flirty Girl wasn’t really my thang, I LOVED the instructors. They were seriously amazing.
Snackage:
My favorite bar everrrrrrr 🙂
Next was Steplicious.
Steplicious was an advanced step class for step instructors. I used to teach step back in the day and it felt SO good to do it again.
Once again, incredible instructor:
We stepped for a solid hour and a half – the choreography was incredible.
My legs are really tired… but I’m really happy 🙂
Off to Glutes, Guns and Guts (last one for the day!!) and then the pilot and I are meeting friends for dinner.
Have a great night!
Gina
Upcoming:
-A cookbook giveaway (it’s one of my all-time favorites)
It’s FASHION FRIDAY! Today I’m going to roll with something a little different- fitness fashion!
Here are some of the things I’m loving right now…
Zumba Gear
I’m not gonna lie, some of the Zumba stuff looks like clown attire, but a lot of it is really cute. It’s kind of the same idea as the VS Pink collection—since they use the same color scheme, everything “matches” 🙂
At the expo, I picked up these blue highlighter pants:
And this shirt:
Right now, I’m really loving Lucy athletic clothes – especially since I hit up their online sale pretty fiercely a little while ago.
Some faves: 
Lace medallion tank
Power Cardio Pant –on sale!
If you’re ever looking for an awesome yoga pant, check out the foldover pants at Victoria’s Secret—these are my all-time favorite yoga pants
Where do you like to shop for athletic clothes?? My favorites right now are Lucy and Victoria’s Secret—a lot of times you can find good stuff at TJ Maxx if you’re willing to dig. The only thing I own from Lululemon is a headband—please don’t throw anything at me, haha. What’s your absolute favorite workout gear?
I’d say it’s a toss up between my beloved Nike Tempo shorts
And my Livewell bag– it holds everything (laptop, lunch, extra shoes, make-up bag, camera, Flip, 2 binders and an extra outfit!) and I’ve gotten so many compliments on it this weekend
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girl, how are you still alive?! i can only imagine I would be dead for days after that much working out…good thing is you’re having a ton of fun!
love the pants and i ADORE this purse!
U r having such a blast!! Too fun!
I think FG looks way cool….gonna find out more about it. Wish I was coordinated enough door Zuuuumba!
*TO DO Zumba, not door zumba. Oh this dang iPad keyboard!
I am sooo jealous of your day you have NO IDEA! I went to Zumba this morning, and it was a blast as usual, but we’re on the last week of 4 weeks of the same songs… not so fresh!
Can’t wait to officially meet you in 2 weeks!
Love that gym coverup from Lucy! The VS foldover yoga pants are my favorite too. For most other things I like Lululemon and Aerie. The Run:Swiftly Racerback tee by lulu is an absolute essential for me. Oh and my Under Armour sports bras! lol <3
You did the equivalent of mine one whole month work-out! heheeh you are a BEAST
Greatest name for a workout move ever? “Hump Dat.”
I would love to be there with you! It looks so much fun, although, in all honesty, I’m nowhere near fit enough to do all that! I really want to start taking Zumba classes!
Wow…an hour and a half step class! SO JEALOUS! I love step!! I took step on Thursday for 60 minutes and burned 623 calories! 🙂 It’s a fave of mine!
I can’t imagine doing that much in one day! I just started with a Zumba DVD! Still trying to get the moves down! Bu it does just make you want to get up and move!
I love that gray gym coverup thing — adorable! I could live in yoga pants/yoga capris, they are so comfortable. I like to get workout clothes at Target or Dicks Sporting Goods — cheap and comfortable!
I’d still want to try Flirty Girl Fitness – Hump dat and No you din’t made me bust out laughing. That is awesome!
I want to try Zumba but the classes around here are only during the day (when I’m at work!) — I’ll go when they have evening classes (which I have requested!)
Have a great night!
ahhhh your day sounds amazing but how have you not collapsed yet???
WOW your workout today sounds amazing, makes me want to go run again tonight so you don’t beat me… ha ha!
looks awesome! i cant wait to attend a coference soon!! Maybe Shaun or Chalene will magically show up 😉
I just got my first lululemon item today, a pair of shorts!! I’m so excited to try them out. Typically I roll with the cheaper workout gear- target, old navy, and stuff at discount stores like TJ Maxx.
The fitness workshop sounds amazing – hope you’re having a blast!
man, those fitness manias wear me out, in a good way though! 2 of my favorite snack are vega bars (just finished one as I type) and LOVE that goats milk yogurt. Just wish it wasn’t so $$.
Have a great night, rest up!
Zumba ROCKS! Proud to be one of the 25,000 instructors that teach it! I’ve used your choreo. for Mami and Na De Na and my classes love it!
2 hours?! you go girl! that sounds like it would be such a stress reliever for me right now.
Hey! What shoes to you use for Zumba and/or other classes? I only have running shoes and need some for Zumba and any other classes I might end up doing. Thanks!
Hmm… too bad FG was kind of lame. The classes that I’ve done at their Toronto studio have been fabulous. Lots of choreography, maybe too complicated for most people, but I danced for 15 years so I love it. Video Vixen class, Burlesque, Pole, Coyote Ugly (dancing on their bar – yes they have a bar). If you ever have an opportunity to one of their other classes – its a lot of fun.
ah! Love fitness conventions. So fun to be that many fitness inspired people. Glad you had fun. The Flirty girl fitness does sound a bit boring. Zumba rocks. Cute clothes!!
I love Zumba wear, I’ve been taking it for 2 months. Love it. I definitely want to buy some Zumba tanks…very cute.
Those classes look like so much fun. Just reading about your time there is inspiring me to possibly get certified in the future. Glad you’re having fun.
You need to be teaching those classes.Yawl are definitely zumbies as opposed to zombies.
i love zumba!!! it’s an amazingly intense (and super fun) workout. you should come out with your own zumba dvd 😉
2 hours of zumba would be amazing! I could do it all day seriously.
I want to actually go to a training thing and get certified!
I wanted to let you know that I tried my first Zumba class today with a couple of girlfriends and we LOVED it! I was afraid that I wouldn’t be coordinated enough, but I was able to keep up. It was so much fun and I didn’t feel like I was “working out”. Although, I was a sweaty mess when I was through. I can’t wait to go back! Thanks for the inspiration to get my to try Zumba, I’m so glad I did. I think it’s my new thing. 🙂
I love the runner shorts for the bottom and then Champion from Target sports tops.
I would get bored repeating the same moves over and over too. And it’s weird to me that you say its athletic. I guess I don’t picture flirty moves being atheletic? I think Zumba would be more my style too.
I love your new Zumba clothes!
thank you!
BAAAH HAAH – – OMG – I didn’t put two + two together until you said “infomerical”… I have seen those flirty girl ads… heh.
I *LOVE* lucy, and the VS yoga pants are my FAVE – I have probably 7 pairs!
I am also loving ATHLETA lately – they have GREAT fitness stuff, and cute dresses and casual clothes. Those new pants you got are cute!!
As a proud Vancouverite and Lulu fan I think you should give Lululemon another shot, it just seems so befitting to you! 🙂
I love Athleta…I get stuff from TJ maxx and Target too!
Lululemon is amazing, but it’s definitely pricy. I check their “loot” section online every day for some good deals!
Ooh, those highlighter pants are fabulous! Glad you’re having such a good time 🙂
I just bought a “step”. Looking for a beginner DVD. Any suggestions?
i wish i could help you with that one :/ i’ve only taken live step classes. anyone else know of any good step dvds??
cathe friedrich…is the “O.G.” of step. her choreo is waaaaaayyyy complicated though. it may take several(or 100)attempts to get it right. once you do get it you feel so freakin’ accomplished. she has her own website where you can purchase the DVD’s. she is also always on FitTV if you get that channel and want to preview her moves before buying. i have a reebok DVD that came with my step (super cheesy 80’s style – the lead instructor’s face appears on several telelvisions and you just see a body moving) and my friend gave me a DVD with gin miller that’s pretty good. you may want to check out collagevideo.com. you can search by workout type. good luck!!! i went to step class at my local y this morning for the first time in foreva’ and it stunk. i’m so used to the tempo and upbeat music in zumba it was difficult to go back to that. instructor was very blaaahhhh too…not challenging…
…also 4got to mention that on collagevideo people can submit reviews of the vids. very helpful!
Thank you. Lots of info. I will go check it out.
thank you for the help!!!
Check out stepjunkie.blogspot.com she’s got LOADS of step routines there, many are complicated but she starts out simple and layers on so you can learn harder moves as you go. When I’m stumped for a step routine I often go and borrow one of hers!
when i used to teach step, i used her site a LOT. love her combos- they’re a lot of fun 🙂
I’ve got that zumba tank in the same blue colour as your pants! I’ve been planning to get those blue pants too but since I’m in Canada I have to pay $25 shipping and customs/duty so I only place an order once in a long while. Lucky for me one of my fellow instructor pals is going to a Conference in Toronto in another week or so and Tayna will be there with a load of Zumba Wear so she’s going to pick some up for me shipping & duty free – yay!
I too only own a headband from lululemon (and a set of yoga blocks) althoguh I’ve been thinking about buying a coupld of their tanks. I’ve got a long torso so most shirts are short on me, theirs actually look like they’d be long enough.
I like to get my gear from Winners (the Canadian version of TJ Max), I’ve got lots of stuff there that was still at the local sports store for 2x the price!
dude…I really need to proofread before hitting, “Submit Comment”. Please egnore all my typos!
haha no worries 🙂
That’s a lot of working out. Glad you are having fun. I love that bag also, it’s really cute.
work it zumba girlie!!
Hey I had a question, I know you own an excalibur dehydrator, is there anything else you reccomend getting with it? I just bought a 9 tray one online and 100 disposable tefflex sheets 🙂
nope, that’s all you need! 🙂
Make sure you make some Rawnola! It is amazing.
I am a huge fan of VS for workout clothes too. But I am also a Nike addict.
I like the REI’s brand of workout clothes and LOVE Title9. However I have a large chest and most XL’s are still too small. I do LOVE my Enell Sports Bra’s they really help control the bounce! 🙂
I LOVE athleta workout clothes!!!!
I love VS fitness clothes. 🙂 Aerie (AE) has some cute stuff as well, like shorts and sports bras. Your bag is indeed very cute! I need a gym bag.
So much working out!
I love my adidas shorts. I have about 5 pair of Nike Tempo shorts, but they leave a weird bump in the front, that my adidas shorts don’t.
Gina, amazing post!!! Can’t believe you put this bad boy together in all your “spare time” while traveling and not even at home! Props girl!
I know those instructors have gotta be amazing if they are doing seminars and classes and stuff as their job..I used to work w/ a girl who went around and trained body pump/step trainers across the country and she was a bangin instructor with a rockin bod but i digress 🙂
Love your reviews of the classes you took! You make me wanna Zumba at my next chance..my gym offers lots of Z classes.
Workout gear…cute stuff! I love Prana and Be Present for yoga and for lifting..omg I wear the OLDEST running shorts that are Nike and a cheap tshirt from target w/ a target sports bra. It’s like my uniform. The ppl at the gym probably think I am impoverished and only own 1 outfit, LOL but I go for comfort over style. I cannot STAND long pants on me while lifting either. Shorts only. I would love to hear what you wear to lift or other classes and stuff…probably your long pants…I just feel too hot and constricted in pants, I love my shorts 🙂
Anyway girl, have a great weekend!
🙂
Looks like you’re having a blast! 🙂 thank you for explaining Zumba a bit – I tried it a couple of times with a really strange instructor and didn’t really enjoy it, but perhaps I’d like it more with someone else.
I also love Nike tempo shorts; I’m wearing some right now!
definitely give it another try– the instructor MAKES the class 🙂
Wow, thats a lot of working out in one day, but it looks fun! I wish I could have gone to something like that, so much variety keeps you going!
glad that you had a fabulous booty shakin’ good time! getting cec’s can be so dry–no lie, i’m a little jealous of your fun time getting them!
i also love the VS foldover. it’s a staple in my wardrobe too–great for yoga and strength training. and also on road trips. and errands. and just hanging out. and i also own zippy from lululemon. i like to hit up nordy’s sales and stock up on nike gear when it goes on sale. i also have been digging gap body for some teaching attire when that’s gone on sale.
Haha those Flirty Girl dance move names are redonk! It sounds like you’re having a blast though. You must be dead tired after all those classes!
My fave workout gear is from Lululemon. I love the look of those VS yoga pants though. I might need to get myself a pair of those. 😀
Wow, you are amazing for being able to do all that in one day and not collapse at the end of it!
Zumba looks like SO much fun. I’d love to do it and wish that my gym offered classes but it unfortunately doesn’t so I’m on the lookout for some good DVDs. I don’t know if you’ve answered that question before but do you have any Zumba DVD recommendations for someone who loooves to dance and wants an effective workout too? Thanks so much!!