Zumba is a fast-paced dance class that incorporates Spanish and Latin dance moves with cardio. Every song played has a certain beat to it and you could learn dances from the cha-cha to the merengue and more.

 

There is a lot of  cardio to these classes because all the music is fast and gets your blood pumping! By the end of the hour you will have sweat between 250-400 calories, depending on how hard you work, and you will begin to notice that the more classes you go to, the easier all the dance moves get. You might even be able to wow your husband on the great cha-cha skills you’ve picked up. Zumba is not for everyone, though. If you find yourself too uncoordinated and uncomfortable shaking your groove thing, then don’t do it. Working out is supposed to be fun and there are plenty of other options.

 

Yoga is the exercise for the mind and body. The ages-old practice can relieve stress, and help build and maintain flexibility and balance, a key issue for women as they age. Yoga pushes your boundaries, and although it relaxes you, you will definitely still sweat!

 

There are so many types of yoga, but three great examples are Anusara, Power Yoga and and Bikram. Anusara is the regular stretch yoga that you think of with the breathing exercises and the relaxing voices. It is great for beginners and focuses on doing the best of your abilities. It helps put you in a better mood after a long day of driving kids around or stressful work.

 

Power yoga is intense stretching to upbeat music. It is a very athletic and strenuous type of yoga, best for people who have tried yoga before and really want the push physically and mentally.

 

Bikram yoga is a practice of stretches in extremely warm rooms. At 105 degrees with 40 percent humidity, yoga in this environment can help with weight loss and it's great for people who really want a challenge. Writer Paige Williams describes her 60-Day Makeover, which focused on Bikram yoga, in this O Magazine article. 

 

Hip hop is a great exercise for those who like to whistle while they work. Hip hop classes take turns between songs to work on cardio and learn choreography. If you have ever watched music videos at home and wondered how Beyoncé does her moves, think no more! Within an hour of a hip hop class you have sweated your day away while still learning a dance like Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies." It’s  fun, lighthearted, and a worth-while 60 minutes.

  

 

Spinning offers an incredible workout. There are two types of spinning classes: full body and regular spinning.

 

Full body spinning incorporates muscle toning along with the cardio. You are increasing the resistance on your bike while doing push-ups at the same time. If you are going to be doing this cardio, you might as well really push yourself as far as you can go. Between arm workouts and the strength that comes from biking for an hour, you will be amazed at how much you can burn off in 60 minutes and how toned your arms and legs will feel. 

 

Regular spinning is just working on the bikes and focuses more on the hikes and paths that you take. It simulates the hills you climb or the sprints you do without the added stress of the arm, leg, and core work that comes from the full body spinning. Beginners should really try regular spinning before full body, but full body spinning is a much fulfilling workout.

 

If you’re trying to lose some of that baby weight or tighten up that belly for a day at the beach, Pilates is the right exercise for you! Pilates is a hard hour of pushing your body to the limit, mostly focusing on your abdominal core.  

 

Most Pilates classes work on getting your stomach back to where you want it to be, but other Pilates classes, like dance Pilates, work on the muscles in your thighs and legs as well as your core. If you’ve never done Pilates before, get ready for a hard but very fulfilling hour. You will be sore afterwards, but you will know that you are that much closer to putting on that bikini again!