This Zumba and Body Pump review covers one of those weekend training days where both classes came with full energy, strong music and no mercy.
I started with Zumba and Diana Saldanha in a full room, with intense choreography, student interaction and songs that made the whole class feel alive. Then I moved on to Body Pump with Igor Angélico, where the workout continued with squats, chest, biceps, core, planks and the kind of full-body effort that leaves you completely drained.
It was intense, fun, sweaty and exactly the kind of Saturday workout that feels worth remembering.
Quick Verdict
Zumba
- Intensity: 8.5 out of 10
- Good for: dance cardio, coordination, rhythm, student interaction, mood and full-room energy
- My after class mood: sweaty, happy, completely alive and already tired before Body Pump even started
Body Pump
- Intensity: 9 out of 10
- Good for: strength endurance, barbell work, squats, chest, biceps, core, planks and mental discipline
- My after class mood: proud, exhausted, entertained and very aware that this workout had taken everything out of me
Class Snapshot
Zumba
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Format: dance cardio class with choreographed routines, rhythm work, student interaction and high-energy music
- Equipment: training shoes, water bottle and towel
- Instructor style: Diana was energetic, playful, intense and very good at pushing the class while keeping the atmosphere joyful
- My focus today: enjoy the music, follow the choreography, survive the intensity and let myself dance
- Injury notes: no injury to report, just intense cardio effort, coordination and a lot of sweat
Body Pump
- Duration: 55 minutes
- Format: barbell strength endurance class with squats, chest, posterior chain, triceps, biceps, core and planks
- Equipment: barbell, plates, step bench, mat, towel and water bottle
- Instructor style: Igor was energetic, funny, demanding and in the best mood, while still draining every last bit of energy from the room
- My focus today: manage the squat track, survive the slow reps, stay strong in core and avoid the easier options
- Injury notes: no injury to report, just serious full-body fatigue and a very proud core moment
Track Your Body Pump Progress
Body Pump progress can be hard to see from one class to the next, especially when you are slowly changing weights, rebuilding confidence, or learning which tracks challenge you most.
I created the Barbell Class Progress Tracker for women who take Body Pump or other barbell based group fitness classes and want a simple printable way to record their weights, follow their progress, and stay consistent from class to class.
THE WORKOUT: ZUMBA + BODY PUMP
WOW! What a weekend! 
Zumba was the first class. I was welcomed by Diana Saldanha’s wonderful energy. Full room and we got started.
Today’s class was SERIOUSLY intense ! I was dripping 
!
We danced “Me gusta” 
! I think this is the song I love dancing to most in this class. I get genuinely SO happy every time Diana puts it on. No other track makes me feel quite that joy when dancing, even though I really do love her overall music selection. 
Halfway through the class I heard, to my delight, the song “Pocpoc”. It brings so much student interaction. Then came another intense song whose name I cannot remember. My legs started to feel it 
. And then, I heard “Magalenha” 
! OMG! I thought: “What is going on with the instructors this week? GOOD GRIEF!”
The class was spectacular! The atmosphere was incredible, with so much interaction between students, and Diana was ON FIRE! She danced, pushed us hard, gave us an INTENSE workout, and at the end still found time to ask me: “Tired already, Suzy?” 😁 I was completely wrecked! And apparently, it showed. 
Then I moved on to Body Pump with Igor Angélico. And the madness continued :
1st: Squat track with no recovery 😳! How many times did it cross my mind that I should have stayed at 30kg . Igor did warn us! 
2nd: Chest track and its 4 slow reps… !
3rd: I enjoyed the posterior chain and tricep tracks (triceps? Am I okay? ).
4th: Bicep track. This one is very tough. But it ends up being one of my favourites. Why? Because this is the one where Igor lets his dance instincts loose. Even just a little, we get treated to his moves. 👌🏾 But yes, in this track, WE SUFFER A LOT!
Today, the star of the class was the Core track. Because I MANAGED to do the whole thing without using the easier options! (Applause! 
Oh, stop! But, thank you! 
). At the end, Igor also threw in some planks 
, but I DID NOT USE MY KNEES 
! Now I just need to conquer track 2 of the Core class. 
The class was spectacular and Igor, in the best mood as always, drained every last bit of energy from us. We could not even answer his questions.
COMPLETE week! Intense training and wonderful people! Result: Suzike happy and ready to relax… 
Instructor Notes
Instructor credit: Diana Saldanha and Igor Angélico
Diana brought intensity, music and student interaction to the Zumba class. The room was full, the energy was high and the class had that strong mix of cardio, choreography and joy that makes Zumba feel much more demanding than people sometimes expect.
Her music choices also shaped the experience. “Me Gusta”, “Popcop” and “Magalenha” gave the class movement, interaction and that feeling of being fully inside the room, not just following steps.
Igor brought the second wave of intensity with Body Pump. The squat track already made it clear that the class would be serious, and the chest, biceps and core tracks kept the pressure on.
The strongest moment was core. Managing the whole track without using the easier options made this class stand out, especially with the extra planks at the end.
Together, Diana and Igor made this feel like a complete weekend training session.
How I Felt After Class
- Right after: sweaty, drained and very happy with both classes
- Later that day: tired, satisfied and ready to relax after a complete training week
- Next day: I could feel the Body Pump effort, especially from squats, biceps and core
My Gym Essentials
Everything I actually use and love during my workouts. Tested, approved, and perfect for busy women who want efficient results.
- Group Fitness Class Tracker for Women (Free Printable)
- Water Bottle: Stay hydrated without wasting time refilling.
- Training Shoes: Light, comfortable, and perfect for kettlebell workouts and power walks.
- Small Gym Bag: Compact but spacious enough to fit everything I need for my sessions.
- Shockproof Phone Case: Keeps my phone safe during intense workouts, because I drop it. More than I would like to admit.
- Smart Fitness Watch: Tracks my heart rate, calories burned, and progress, game-changer for my journey.
