Let me vent for a second.

When I started in the fitness industry, I entered via Zumba... because my passion was dance.  I didn't ever think I'd do much with it, but as I've told you before, I loved it from the start.  Thus, if it weren't for Beto, creator of Zumba, designing a program that fit my needs at the time, I would not be doing what I do at this time. 

I have heard so much ridicule of Zumba instructors because they aren't "Certified"... no, we're licensed.  There is no test so they don't call it a certification... Zumba instructors are simply allowed to use the Zumba name.  So where am I going?  For YEARS, we have been mocked and laughed at in the fitness industry because the "Certified" instructors had to pass a test and we didn't... but when I went to my most recent CERTIFICATION course, guess what!?  There was no test.  No written test, no physical test.  Yet it was a certification.  Oh yeah, and the one before that was the same way.

Keeping in mind I'm fact certified in several specialties and national group exercise formats... I find this mockery of Zumba TOTALLY offensive.  And what's worse are the people who are doing the laughing... other instructors!!!  Now, maybe I'm on my soapbox here, but I encourage every single individual to do what works... for THEM!  If you don't like to dance and cardio isn't your thing... then PLEASE try something else, whether at my place or the place down the road!  But get moving.  But I would NEVER laugh at other fitness industry specialties... crossfit, insanity, pump, yoga, kickboxing, ect... just because I don't teach it, know nothing about it, and truly it only hurts clients.

Comments like "oh, I wish I had a name on facebook like Zumba *insertdumbpersonsnamehere*" or "all they do in zumba is dance around, try *blah* if you want a workout" does nothing but (1) make you look like an idiot, and (2) ruins the potential for a client's success in a program that might have worked for them.  If you have a client who is into hardcore crazy workouts... Insanity, bootcamp and crossfit are the way to go... but not all clients are like that.  Yoga is great for most, so are strength based workouts... but open your eyes and see what's out there and actually HELP people.

Be informed... be open to other formats... be aware of whats out there... and if not... BE QUIET!  :-P

/rant