Anywho, enough complaining. One thing warmer climates don’t have are awesome Zumba classes with Z Club NY! You may remember the class I went to in November Swing Meets Street? Well, I enjoyed it so much I decided to dive right in and sign up again! This class was featuring Loretta Bates. Holy moly guys! She is HUGE (not literally-literally she is tiny). She is featured on the Zumba Exhilarate DVDs, Zumba video games like Zumba Core (one of my favorites!) and numerous Zumba ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network) DVDs. This is a legit master class. Side note- I swear I could see Brad Pitt walking down the street and be like “Ehhh” but give me a Zumbalbrity or blogger and I fall all over myself. Although I admittedly took a shameless amount of photos of Bethenny Frankel at the SELF Workout in the Park…
In addition to Loretta, we had a ton of other awesome Zumba ZES (Zumba Education Specialist) instructors including: Nick & Chris from my last master class, April “Smiles” (who trained me!) and many more. You may even recognize some of these characters from the DVDs.
Besides Loretta’s amazing choreography, a few others stuck out in my mind as a ton of fun: a bellydancing number that totally worked my core and a Bollywood track that was pretty out of this world. It was the most hardcore Bollywood ever.
Another highlight was towards the end when all the ZES instructors got on stage for “Canned Heat.” First of all, I have loved that song ever since the movie Center Stage. Second, it was so cool to see everyone up there together dancing to such an upbeat and fun song. It’s funny how something so simple can really transform the feeling of a class, right?
At the end Loretta did “I Like How It Feels” from Zin 46. Holy cow! I love watching the DVD but the real life version was so much better. I felt like my entire body was radiating energy, which might have just been an extreme endorphin high. Just sayin.
This was such an amazing opportunity from Z Club. They have awesome regular classes (my favorite instructors are Irina and Emily!) but their master classes are on a whole different level.
Readers, have I convinced you to try Zumba yet? Do you geek out like I do over “celebrities”? Do you think you would say “Ehhh” if you saw Brad Pitt walking down the street?
Holly
January 22, 2014Zumba is so rockin’ fun. Love how you are so enthusiastic about it and your review makes me want to try Z Club.
Holly
January 22, 2014Zumba is so rockin’ fun. Love how you are so enthusiastic about it and your review makes me want to try Z Club.
Holly
January 22, 2014Zumba is so rockin’ fun. Love how you are so enthusiastic about it and your review makes me want to try Z Club.
Holly
January 22, 2014Zumba is so rockin’ fun. Love how you are so enthusiastic about it and your review makes me want to try Z Club.
Kim
January 22, 2014Ummm….I tried Zumba last summer for the first time!! All those hip moves – I just end up doing my own thing and sometimes I had extra hops instead of pelvic thrusts (or whatever that move is called). It was completely out of my comfort zone but I went consistently for quite awhile!
Sounds like your experience was pretty awesome!1
FitBritt
January 23, 2014I think that is the best way to experience class! I encourage everyone to try dancing because it is not about the steps but about having fun and moving to the music. As long as you enjoy what you are doing and don’t get too caught up in the technicality then I think it is a success!
Kimberly ( Manifest Yourself)
January 22, 2014Deep down, I feel like I want to get certified…deep down. 🙂 lol I’m throwing the idea around more and more these days.
FitBritt
January 23, 2014You should! It’s so much fun! The cert is actually pretty easy compared to others I have done. You don’t even have to perform individually!
Tara
January 22, 2014Wow, this was such a big thing for you! I am excited from California. 🙂 I would jump all over Brad Pitt but I know what you mean about geekin’ out toward people big in your hobby. My knees were shaking when I met a chef at a really popular restaurant here in SF. 🙂
FitBritt
January 23, 2014Haha. I know it is kind of crazy. I think you get it though with your comparison to meeting a chef! 🙂
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama
January 22, 2014I love it. I love all of this. (you know I would!) I might double take a look at Brad…I mean…Its Brad Pitt and he’s sexy pants 🙂
FitBritt
January 23, 2014I knew you would love it Nellie! 🙂
Yeah I think if it really came down to it I would probably at least do a second look! Haha. I was just trying to say how much I enjoy meeting people in my area of interest! 🙂
Lex @ Flecks of Lex
January 22, 2014Zumba is amazing! It’s taught me to embrace the fact that I look a mess when I’m trying to do choreographed dance, but not to be embarrassed by it.
FitBritt
January 23, 2014Totally agree! I think it is a real confidence booster! 🙂
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
January 23, 2014Sounds like an awesome class! So funny you mention being convinced to try Zumba – while I was reading this I was thinking that if anyone can convince people to try Zumba, it’s you!
FitBritt
January 23, 2014Haha. I’m trying my hardest!!!
Maureen@Scoops of Joy
January 23, 2014Sounds like so much fun. I have to admit I haven’t try zumba yet because I worry about my herniated discs but you made it sounds like it’s so much fun I will have to give it a try one day 😀
FitBritt
January 23, 2014Yeah a herniated disc could be uncomfortable in a class like this. I hope you get to try it one day though because it is awesome!
Joi @ Rx Fitness Lady
January 23, 2014I share your feelings about master instructors. I absolutely live for the opportunities to take Les Mills classes from the master trainers and dare I say the developers. I cannot wait for Mega quarterly this summer in New Orleans! This looked fun. She even looks phenomenal.
FitBritt
January 23, 2014I used to go to those back when I lived in Sydney! I took a BodyJam class with G and it was amazing! I used to love trying out all the different classes. I think the energy these master instructors bring is phenomenal!
Paige@FitNotFad
January 23, 2014This looks so cool! If I met Kathryn Budig I’d probably pass out at her feet. Just sayin 🙂 Looks like a blast….I’ve only done Zumba once with my mom but I did enjoy it! Maybe I need to try it out again.
FitBritt
January 23, 2014Kathryn Budig is a big deal! You should try it again! I think the instructor is really important. You need someone good!
Melissa Burton
January 24, 2014I’ve done Zumba twice and I’ll say that my experience with Kimberly and Nellie was definitely a fun one. I’m still the epitome of uncoordinated but if I let that go, it’s fun.
I absolutely geek out over every single celebrity sighting I’ve ever had in my life. I actually saw Bethenny Frankel before she was super huge and man, she is thin but much taller than I thought.
One day we will have to compare celebrity sightings stories. I think they’re fun. My Henry Winkler/Fonzie story might be the best one though….
Melanie @ HappyBeingHealthy
January 24, 2014Wow, that Zumba class looks amazing! I can’t believe I still haven’t tried Zumba yet. There’s a Zumba class right after one of the classes I go to at the gym and it looks like a lot of fun! You look darling, btw.
Carla
January 25, 2014Hahahaha…I would say “Ehhh” if I saw Brad Pitt walking down the street but it wouldn’t sound like you think.
I know who Loretta is and that would be so cool. Sounds like a great class.
Krista
July 18, 2014Omg! She is a Superstar! I love her! I have Zumba Incredible Results and when she’s in the video, I look at her most! She just has a great, welcoming smile and she’s awesome! 🙂