This Zumba class review is from one of those Saturday mornings where I arrived already happy because, honestly, Zumba day has that effect on me.
After a very real “life happens” kind of day before, I went back to the gym for Zumba with Diana Saldanha. No Body Pump this time. Just music, movement, sweat, glutes still complaining from Thursday, and that good mood that appears the moment the class starts.
Some workouts feel like training. This one felt like release.
Quick Verdict
- Intensity: 7.5 out of 10
- Good for: dance cardio, rhythm, coordination, mood, stress release and group fitness energy
- My after class mood: happy, lighter, sweaty and fully reminded of why Zumba makes me feel so good
Class Snapshot
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Format: dance cardio class with choreographed routines, rhythm work, coordination and high-energy tracks
- Equipment: training shoes, water bottle and towel
- Instructor style: Diana was friendly, energetic, welcoming and very good at keeping the room moving with joy and confidence
- My focus today: enjoy the music, follow the choreography, let go a little and have fun without overthinking every step
- Injury notes: no injury to report, just sore glutes from Thursday’s Localizada class and general cardio effort
Zumba
But today is Saturday, so, Zumba day and… heading back home… 
No, I’m not going to Body Pump and I have my reasons (very valid ones 
).
Let’s go dance! 💃🏾
Whenever I show up on time I feel super proud. Only I know the maneuvers I have to pull off, at home, in the morning .
I’m welcomed by the friendly instructor Diana Saldanha, I walk in, take my spot in the 2nd row (the front row is competitive, I need to start arriving earlier ) and class begins.
The moment we started dancing, my glutes gave signs of life! Ouch! That’s still a consequence of Diana’s Localizada class (Thursday). What a class! The glutes hurt the most, but several parts of my body are feeling it and already dreading next Wednesday! 
The class, as always, was super fun. Dancing has an incredible effect on me. The moment we started, a huge smile broke out on my face. It’s automatic. It makes me feel SO GOOD!
And how happy I get when we dance, in class, the songs I posted on my story, in my own way (and let’s just leave the caption at that… ).
I loved every track, especially “Madalena” 
. That song is a real cardio workout. 👌🏾
Diana always interacts with us, which is wonderful! We really get into it! There’s something liberating about letting out our own war cries! I’m just not very good at the high-pitched ones ! But the others pull it off well and with enthusiasm!
Have you ever stopped to think that we can never scream? Otherwise, people come running to help, thinking something’s wrong. But sometimes it really helps release stress. So I take advantage of the classes where I can do it! I go for it and actually scream!
The class was excellent, Diana gets 5 stars and the students are fun, following the instructor’s advice: made a mistake? Reset and keep going! We’re there to have fun. 
Instructor Notes
Instructor credit: Diana Saldanha
Diana made this class feel welcoming from the start. She has that kind of energy that makes you feel comfortable walking into the room, taking your place and just joining in, even when the front row is clearly a competitive sport of its own.
Her class was fun, lively and full of those small moments that make Zumba feel different from a normal cardio workout. The music, the interaction, the room responding, the little mistakes, the reset-and-keep-going attitude… all of it made the class feel light, even when the body was working hard.
And I loved how much she encouraged us to participate. The war cries, the freedom to make noise, the permission to just let something out. There is something genuinely liberating about that.
How I Felt After Class
- Right after: happy, sweaty and full of good mood
- Later that day: lighter, more relaxed and glad I had gone, even with the sore glutes
- Next day: the body still felt the effort, but in that satisfying “I moved, I danced, I showed up” kind of way
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.
