Zumba Fitness Exhilarate Body Shaping System DVD (Multi, Small)

I received this a few days ago, and I have really enjoyed this product! There are some reviews that say this is hard to follow, the lighting is bad, etc. for the videos. I have found that the sets are just suited for me - young 20's. I can relate to it! It really feel personal compared to some of the other products that I have gotten, more like a "party".Note: I am just saying some things that I think some other review are missing. I highly suggest you do your homework before you buy. review, 5-star and 1-star, to get the full idea. I even visited YouTube to see some previews and videos of this. If you are like me and this is your first time with Zumba, this is the way to go, I think.There are only three real concerns that I have, and they more based on the packaging issues than anything else.CONS1) I am rarely home, and carrying a pile of DVDs with me is not really an option. I wish there was some sort of digital format that I could put on my iPad to take with me. Maybe a blu-ray version? Next time? (Gosh knows DVDs never survive my house!)2) The case the DVDs come in suck. There are only foam dots that hold them in the "case" (more like a cordian-ish pamphlet). I am really glad that I bought a CD case for these to go in. Highly suggest you get one, too. You will not want to keep the DVDs in the format you get them, especially with the money you are paying.3) The box does come with a colorful sleeve over it, which. if you keep it on, does make "accessing" it a minute or two. Not really a problem, just kind of a nuisance.PROS1) You can flip the view of the step by step CD - either the instructors face you or have their back to you. Very nice touch since I tend to get my directions wrong.2) (And some thing this is BAD) The toning sticks are like maracas. Yes, they make noise. I find it kind of funny and awesome since it is like you are making a beat with the CD, too. However, some new to this may find it very annoying. You have been warned. ;)3) There are additional features that let you see behind the scenes and get to know the people who made the DVDs. There are interviews, close-ups, and more that really make the people in it human. I love that factor. Yes, sometimes it can feel like they are "trying" to sell a product, but I take it for what it is: It cost a lot to make the DVD, so I can forgive they trying to sell some stuff, too.4) This is probably the best point of the entire system: HAVE FUN! Every DVD and instructor pushes this idea. It is not about right or wrong - it is just about getting moving and having fun! Other work outs are about hitting the poses right, how long can last, how much sweat you are pouring, etc. This is about having fun first, being fit second - one following the other. I think it is a great philosophy, and it is one of the reasons why I went with Zumba instead.Although I think the price is high, I am quite surprised by the detail and colorfulness of the routines and people. I think, as a long-term investment, it is worth it. It has certainly caught the eye of my mom and sisters (maybe a class together coming up?!).

I have always wanted to try Zumba, but was hesitant thinking it was just another gimmick weight loss product. Boy was I wrong. I kept seeing and hearing people talk about it non-stop, so I broke down and ordered the latest installment. Come to find out, it is a very fun and challenging workout. It does take time to learn the steps and intricate rhythms, so for beginners and non-dance people, I would recommend staying with the Learn It option until you are really comfortable. I can see where someone might get discouraged because they can't pick up on the moves quickly, but just stick with it and eventually your body will move the way it needs to. If it doesn't - then just keep moving and do the best you can.Step-By-Step DVD - is actually fun and gets you sweating the first time through - the instructors are really good in the instructional DVD and I wish Tanya and Gina were featured in all of the DVD's.Activate - this is by far my favorite because the steps are challenging but once you get them you can rock the video pretty hard. It's 40 minutes too, which is less than the rest and doable for me as I am a new mom and finding an hour to spare is scarce these days.Rush - the more you put in the more you get out. It's only 20 minutes, but if you put everything you've got into it, it will kick your butt.Exhilarate - not my favorite. The dubbing of the instructors is annoying and as much as I love Beto, the creator, he is hard to follow at times. This was by far my least favorite of all the workouts.Zumba Toning and Sentao - surprisingly, I enjoyed both of these segments - you can split them and only do one at a time, which is nice, as they are 30 minutes each. I really felt challenged in both workouts, however, the toning sticks are a bit of a joke - unless you can't lift a soup can, get some real weights and the toning workout will be worth your while. Sentao - with the chair - took me some time mainly because of space issues and the fact that I have high boy chairs - not designed for this workout. I had to improvise a lot, which was no big deal because a lot of the moves you can do without the chair.Mix and Party - again, these are really fun, but I am too much a beginner to really benefit from these right now. I'm sure once I get more advanced with the moves these will be fun.All in all, great workout series. I lost 4.5 inches in the first week - cannot argue with that (and that was without diet changes).