This Zumba and Body Pump review covers the kind of Saturday that reminds me why some class combinations are worth dragging yourself out of the house for.
By the time Saturday arrives, I can usually feel the whole week sitting in my body. Getting myself to the gym at that point takes a very specific kind of motivation. On this day, I had it. First because Diana Saldanha was teaching Zumba. Then because Igor Angélico was on Body Pump. That is already a strong enough reason to show up.
What I did not know yet was that this would end up becoming what I now call a Weekend Training Day.
Quick Verdict
Zumba
- Intensity (1–10): 6.5
- Good for: mood boost, coordination, cardio without mental heaviness, music lovers, people who need help waking up and shifting energy
- My after-class mood: smiling, awake, lighter, and much more alive than when I arrived
Body Pump
- Intensity (1–10): 8.5
- Good for: full-body strength endurance, muscle tone, people who enjoy structured barbell work, trainees who want challenge with good atmosphere, anyone who likes feeling proud afterwards
- My after-class mood: worked, happy, proud, and very glad I had made the effort to train on a Saturday
Class Snapshot
Zumba
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Format: dance cardio class with choreographed tracks, new steps, high energy and a strong music-driven flow
- Equipment: training shoes, water bottle, towel (optional)
- Instructor style: vibrant, magnetic and very uplifting, with that rare ability to wake up the whole room instantly
- My focus today: get out of tired mode, follow the new steps, and actually enjoy myself
- Injury notes: no injury mentioned
Body Pump
- Duration: 55 minutes
- Format: warm-up, full-body barbell tracks, repeated strength endurance work, core and cool-down
- Equipment: barbell, weight plates, step platform, towel (optional)
- Instructor style: high-energy, playful and very engaging, with strong presence and excellent room atmosphere
- My focus today: survive track 2, keep good form in shoulders, and not lose pace completely
- Injury notes: no injury mentioned
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
My training week usually starts on Monday, and by Thursday I can feel the weight of it in every muscle. Getting myself to the gym on a Saturday takes a very specific kind of motivation. Honestly? There are only two reasons I ever manage it: Diana Saldanha and Igor Angélico. I make the effort because I know it will be worth it. They are genuinely incredible.
I started with Zumba with Diana Saldanha.
Despite the tiredness, the moment the class began, something shifted. I perked right up and barely recognised myself. The class opened with an Ivete Sangalo song and, before I even realised it, I was dancing away with a big smile on my face. The power this instructor has is simply magical.
I got to revisit every single song I love. Even if I had made the playlist myself, I could not have chosen better.
We also got something new. I was happy that I managed to follow along, more or less, with the new steps. There was a time when anything new in class would completely throw me off. Not anymore.
We finished on the highest note possible: ME GUSTA! I absolutely love dancing that track. I smiled the entire way through. So good! The class was spectacular. Diana was in the best mood, the room was packed, and Suzike ended up at the back because she did not behave herself and arrived right on time. 
For another Zumba class, read Zumba and Body Pump Review: My Weekend Training Day.
Then I moved straight into Body Pump with Igor Angélico. As always, he was in the BEST mood.
On track 2, I stayed at 30kg because I only remembered the four slow reps. And today I was in full despair mode. What a tough exercise! 
During the bicep track, I got to dance too! It was brief, but it was wonderful. And Igor was absolutely magnificent up there. What a show. Lights, music, movement, the full package.
Today I felt genuinely proud of myself 😎. During the shoulder track, I heard a “Nice one, Suzi! I see you! Keep going!” That is the track with the shoulder presses followed by the side plank movement. The beauty of it, and the difficulty, is doing it without dropping your knees and keeping up with the instructor’s pace. Igor gave me a shoutout and Suzike was very happy about that. 
What a spectacular class. From the atmosphere to the instructor to the company. So glad I dragged myself out of the house to train.
OH! I finally have a name for this kind of day: WEEKEND TRAINING DAY! I cannot believe it took me this long to think of it. The suggestion came from Rita Resende 🫶🏾 and I accepted immediately because it makes complete sense.
If you enjoy Body Pump reviews, you may also like Body Pump with Pedro Pereiros: Rebuilding Strength and Confidence.
Instructor Notes
Instructor credit: Diana Saldanha and Igor Angélico. They are the instructors featured in this Zumba and Body Pump class experience.
This was one of those days where the two instructors shaped the whole experience in completely different ways.
Diana brought warmth, rhythm, joy, and that effortless way of making people forget they arrived tired. She has real pull in a room. You feel it almost immediately.
Igor brought energy, humour, pressure, and that feeling that something good is always happening on stage even when the exercise itself is trying to ruin your peace.
Different styles. Same result. Both made the effort worth it.
Is Zumba Before Body Pump a Good Combination?
For me, yes.
Zumba lifted the tiredness off me before I even had time to think too much about it. It woke me up, improved my mood, and got me moving without the mental resistance I sometimes feel at the start of a Saturday.
Body Pump then gave that energy somewhere solid to go.
The combination worked because the first class gave me life, and the second gave me challenge.
That is a very good way to spend a Saturday morning.
How I Felt After Class
- Right after Zumba: awake, smiling, and far more alive than when I arrived
- Right after Body Pump: worked, happy, and proud of myself
- What stayed with me most: Diana’s musical magic, Igor’s shoutout, and the feeling that this Saturday had absolutely earned its name
Final Thoughts
This was a very good reminder that not all training days need to begin with huge motivation. Sometimes you just need the right teachers waiting for you.
Zumba gave me the mood shift I needed. Body Pump gave me the challenge and the pride.
Together, they gave me a Saturday that deserved a proper name.
Weekend Training Day fits perfectly.
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.
