Last Saturday I tried a new class in my ongoing Adventures in Fitness (AIF): Aqua Zumba! It seemed like the ideal combination of two of my favorite activities – Zumba and aqua aerobics.
Even though I’ve taken many Zumba classes, I still didn’t know exactly what to expect from Aqua Zumba. But I knew that if all else failed, I would just move my body in the water and have a good time doing it. Luckily, I caught on quickly, and I did really well in the class.
The music was amazing, as it always is in Zumba classes: upbeat, high energy, and fun. The instructor, Miggy Zumba as he’s known on FB, was absolutely the best. He kept it fun, but pushed us at the same time. He made sure to move around the pool deck so that everyone could see his instructions, no matter which side of the pool we were on. He encouraged, motivated, and made us laugh, and when I can do all of that while I’m moving my body, I can forget that I’m “working out,” and I just enjoyed myself. Here’s a clip of Miggy Zumba teaching an Aqua Zumba class (not the one that I went to) to give you an idea:
The pool at my gym is filled very high at about neck level (it doesn’t help that I’m a shorty at 5″3′), so some of the moves were more difficult to master because I was trying to keep my head above water, but now I know to get to the more shallow section of the pool next time where the water only reaches about chest high. It will make doing the footwork that much easier, I think.
Someone asked me to compare the Aqua Zumba to both Zumba and aqua aerobics, and I’d say that I still like regular Zumba more, because there’s nothing like moving your body to the rhythm of the music, while pushing yourself to get the footwork down. But I liked the Aqua Zumba 100% more than standard aqua aerobics, which can get really boring; it all depends on the teacher. You can tell from the smiles of all of us in the pool that we really enjoyed the class and the hour flew by.
Can you find me in the photo? Hint: I'm one of the shortest ones. BTW - those are my yellow weighted gloves in the foreground. 🙂
The class was a 1-day trial at my local 24 Hour Fitness to see how much interest there was. Well, with 72 of us in the pool that day, I’d say there was interest. I would absolutely take Aqua Zumba again, especially if Miggy Zumba is teaching it. I enjoyed his style so much that I’m going to go out of my way to take a regular Zumba class from him later this week at a location a bit out of my way. He was that dynamic!
If Aqua Zumba is offered near you, I’d absolutely give it a try. It will be 60 minutes of non-stop fun, I’m sure of it.
Bella on the Beach 
hi there! found you through fit approach and love your blog! 😀
Thanks, and welcome!!
I had trouble with Zumba at my gym just because I’m not much of a dancer and would get tangled up in my legs – sounds like this could be better since the water would hide my clumsy appendages, haha!
It absolutely would!
Awesome review. As I was scrolling down to read the post, I was shocked to see how big the class was — that’s incredible! I’m like the commenter above — the footwork never comes naturally or easily to me the way it does to you. It’s fun, but I’m usually just catching on to the correct step on the very last time we use it… oh well!
That looks like a really fun class. I have been wanting to try Zumba it looks like so much fun, but I am a little nervous because I really can’t dance.
Hello fellow sweat pink ambassador! 😉 Love your blog.
I would just love this! I have really gotten into zumba, but this would especially be great in the summer when it’s so darn hot out in Vegas.
oh my gosh, i haven’t even heard of the aqua style of Zumba!! that looks like fun, but not going to lie with my lack of coordination i’m sure more splashing than anything would be happening on my end…lol. I’m looking forward to meeting you and connecting more thru the Sweat Pink Ambassador Campaign! 🙂
What a fun class! I’ve never tried aqua aerobics of any kind but I imagine the challenge of not drowning would add a certain something to the experience!
Also, it’s great to discover your blog – and thanks for your comment on mine 🙂 It’s great getting to know all the sweat pink ambassadors.
There’s Aqua Zumba at my Y, but I’m also super-short and I would barely be able to clear my chin 🙂 Another Sweat Pink Ambassador saying hello!
Hoping to get my Aqua instructors interested in this.