5 Stars Easily (Cue the Violins) You know how sometimes you dread going to exercise class? Or once you stop going, it's hard to come back? I had to stop going to Zumba for several months (*tear) But as soon as I cleared post-partum and doctor gave me the OK, I went running (well, not really running) back to Lisa D's classes! (cue the Latin beats, cue the Bass) Zumba with Lisa D remains one of my favorite forms of exercise. And really, with the energy in the room and the awesome choreography by Lisa D, it doesn't feel like exercise. Lisa's routines are fun, her cueing is excellent and her energy is contagious. It's fun on so many levels. And since we're talking levels, the newcomer need not worry, you can take the class at any level of intensity, low or high impact, mild swinging of hips to all out booty shaking. The rhythm IS going to get you. And while I just quoted an oldie but a goodie by madame Estefan, the music Lisa uses is awesome--a great mix of current music, salsa, samba, meringue, swing, country, old skool--everything for everybody! She has recently expanded her class to Wednesday mornings at the DeForest Dance Studio in Elmhurst and I love the new digs. There are also many Zumba events she hosts--check out her website for the current events. Come to class, I dare you to complete a class without smiling at least once. I love Zumba with Lisa D! read more

My Zumba instructor is cooler than your Zumba instructor. No, really. I'm pretty sure. I've had a sampling of at least a dozen others and they just don't compare. There is something unpolished and cheesy about a significant number of them. Lisa D. keeps it real. She knows her stuff and shakes it like a salt shaker. I've been going to her group sessions for a year now and I've been upgraded from White to Latina. And while I've managed to drop over 35 pounds by attending her classes 2-3x a week, I've still kept my booty. Again, Latina I tell you! Seriously! You will be hard pressed to find Zumba that works you as much as Lisa's. Zumba itself incorporates many different styles of dancing, but she brings with her previous experience in yoga, hip-hop and turbokick, to name a few. You're getting a little sample of everything and working each muscle. Not to say that you won't get a decent workout with other instructors, but I just haven't found them to be as hardcore. Hate to say it, but she makes the rest of them look sloppy. Her moves are purposeful and precise. In the year I've taken Zumba, I've seen her misstep MAYBE a handful of times. She's extremely accurate and a genius with her dance routines. And while some of the moves are complicated, she executes them cleanly enough that anyone can follow if they pay attention. Almost all of her cues are visual, which I find to be quite refreshing from the happy-happy-joy-joy cheerleader shouting type teachers. I feel completely confident in giving another five sexy stars to Lisa D. and her Zumba class. I would have fallen off the weight loss wagon months ago if it weren't for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Addison Ice Arena. I just don't think it can get any better. Well, except for when her and Zumba instructor Tom Lafser's* powers combine. *http://www.zumba.com/profiles/53877/thomas-lafser read more

I quit smoking. I went on a cruise for my honeymoon. And a year later I'm still carrying the 12 lbs I gained. BUT.... that's changing! I started class with Lisa a few months ago. Initially 1 class a week and now up to 2. When I was going at it steady I dropped a few pounds in no time. Then I had to take a month off and managed to gain it back. But I'm back now and this is what I can tell you about Zumba with Lisa D...... 1 - Anyone can do it. Doesn't matter if you are young or old, overweight or just looking to stay fit. Male or female.... although it's mostly ladies. But the men that do it are awesome and no one thinks anything of it. And Lisa is easy to follow. We all stumbled through our first couple classes, but after a few times you learn the moves and the cues and it's a piece of cake! 2 - It's fun. I HATE GYMS. Hate them. I need an activity that keeps my interest. I used to take a pole dance class but at $37 a class, it just became too expensive. The music will stay in your head for days (am I right ladies???). Everyone is friendly and we all just have fun with the class. 3 - It's affordable! $10 for drop-ins. Or you can buy a 10 class punchcard for $80. That's a great price! 4 - No one judges you. I brought my mom and mother-in-law recently and they were all over the place practically stepping on people. OOPS! Do the other ladies get upset? Heck no! One of the girls even stopped to try to show my MIL some of the steps. Too sweet! 5 - The people that come to class are real people. We don't wear makeup and we sweat like pigs. We are there to exercise and not try to prove how good we look in workout clothes. If you are on the fence just come and try one class. I can guarantee you will not regret it. :) read more

Well, it was nothing like Dance Central on Kinect... of which I'm kind of a natural at- even to the point of winning a DC 16 point bracket dance off on my first time playing. Just so everyone knows- You can't touch this. Not that I'm a good dancer or anything, because I most certainly am not, but that's one thing that's great about Zumba. It's like a dance class for people who aren't very good at dancing... and I mean that in the most lighthearted and fun way possible. No one here is going to be trying out for Swan Lake and no one is going to see you up in the club with your Zumba moves and feel the need to dance battle for street cred, so let's just get that out of the way. It was interesting to see that in a class full of about 50 ladies (and a guy), just how many people were so into it that they were sporting Zumba logo pants, shirts, tanks, water bottles and gym bags. And I liked that no matter your age (girl to grandma) or build (busty, bulky, bitty, etc) you can probably take part in Zumba- and that's a wonderful thing because it's fun for them and way better than doing the typical American thing and going home to watch TV. I attended my first Zumba class the evening after I attended my first TRX class at a boxing club. When I left the boxing club I felt like I was glad I tried it, but didn't know if it was really for me (or my sore aching muscles) and defo felt like it was going to be pretty damn hard to shake the pain I had felt for almost the entire duration of the class, and want to come back again next week. Today I feel like I have a good basis of comparison and now I realize that TRX is much more my style than Zumba. Not that one is better than the other- just to each his own. During the class, I kept wondering how everyone looked like they were genuinely enjoying everything, even though no one really looked like they were doing what the instructor was. I was struggling to keep up and decipher what the moves were but I didn't feel that any of the moves were hard or break a sweat worthy. More puzzling because I didn't know the lingo. ***sidebar*** I feel that I should also mention that I have a hearing condition so to even try to catch what the beat to the music was (with most songs being ones I'd never heard before) was already quite a challenge, on top of not having any kind of prior knowledge or explanation of any of the steps. ***sidebar over*** To me, it was much more mentally stressful than physical and I couldn't help but have the almost constant and repetitive thought of 'maybe you'd like it more if you were able to get a get a good buzz going in'... which is obviously not a good sign when you think you would do better at something if you were semi-intoxicated first. In all honesty, my personal Zumba feelings are leaning more towards a 3, but I have to throw up a 4 star here because the instructor was obviously loved by her students and I know so many people who swear by it... and now that I've tried it, I think I also know a few people who are not yet zumba-ers but would love it. It's a great class for a niche market, and today I learned that I'm just not that market at all. And I don't know what I was expecting. I probably should have googled some videos or something on my own time but I'm glad I took the class to see what this crazy Zumba thing is all about. I guess after TRX I was ready to pump my buns but found that I barely broke a sweat. It didn't seem like a work out to me, and that's probably part of why people like it as a low impact, fun activity. Personally, it's not for me (or my Zumba cherry poppin' partner, Dana G) but I think we're the first people in history to have ever said that, so maybe it's just us. I honestly don't know anyone who does Zumba and doesn't LOVE it like a mother loves their child and actively recruit people to share their joy with, and I can both appreciate and respect that. On another sidebar-ish note, I don't know how anyone could work out to the last 2 songs played. I guess it was kind of like a cool down maybe. But seriously- what was that? Like, Josh Groban or something? Because I am NOT okay with that. In summation, I don't know that you'll ever find me (sober) in a Zumba class again, but I fully endorse it as a fun alternative to traditional heart-pumping exercise classes. read more

For me the most important part of any aerobic class is the instructor. They make or break the class. For example, I love Turbo Kick classes and had trouble finding a place that offered the classes that wasn't too far away. I finally found a class that wasn't too far, but farther than I liked. I took the class and never went back. Why? The instructor was insane...and not in a good way. Lisa is a fantastic instructor. Her energy is contagious. I love her song choices and her sweet zumba moves. Pooooison...Poison! That's right, BBD was in full effect and it was awesome. The class may seem intimidating at first b/c it is very high energy and at times really fast paced but she is a master at giving visual cues to help you keep up and transition from one move to the next with ease. She also offers some "special" classes throughout the year which I really appreciate. Black light zumba? Hell, yes! Halloween zumba? Oh no you didn't! She's also done some fundraisers. It's a great way to burn some calories and give back to the community. What could be better than that? I also love that there is a wide age range in attendance at her classes. I think it is a true testament to her instruction and shows there is something for everyone. If a 65 year old can shake it to LMFAO's I'm Sexy and I know It, then so can you. Give one of her classes a try, and don't be late to the dance party. read more

I just LOVE stuff that doesn't suck. This is one of those things. Yes people, the marshmallow lookin' lady thinks that this EXERCISE CLASS does not suck. I completed the hour. With ease, mind you......not because it was physically easy, because Lisa D is a fantastic teacher, the crowd was right, I had a new good friend there with me, and the music begged you to go on, despite "burn-y feet" and twitchy muscles. I want a 10 class punch card and Zumba pants right now. Thanks, Ericka A and Lisa D!!!! read more

I don't understand the pants. Why do Zumba instructors wear pants with straps all over them? Anyway. Aimee M. talked me into trying Zumba with her (okay, I wanted to try it too) and I'm glad I did. I don't know if I'll be giving up spin class just yet, but it is a fun, high-energy way to burn some calories. Lisa is super energetic and gives good visual cues. You do have to watch and pay attention, especially if you're an uncoordinated newbie like me. It's a faster-paced class than the lone other Zumba class I've observed, which granted was mostly filled with older ladies; this one had women from about 20 on up. I had a hard time keeping up at points -- again, my fault, I am not too coordinated and can't always move that quickly -- but I kept moving, enjoyed the music and the atmosphere, and got a really good workout in. Everyone was really friendly. Tips: Take a lot of water. I have a smallish water bottle that I managed to empty about 40 minutes in. Bigger is better. Also, a small towel is not a bad idea. The room gets pretty warm, what with about 40 women (and one guy) all dancing their butts off. read more

I love dancing, that's not a secret. I'm pretty coordinated when it comes to it and it just flows. I'm gonna be the one to say it though, if you haven't been to a Lisa D class, it will be VERY difficult to follow along for the first time. It was even hard for me, I know, shocker since I got the moves like jagger. After a while though, you do get it and you start to enjoy it more and I'm sure that's when the pounds will start coming off. There is no instructions, you just follow along and you better make sure you pay close attention. I really like the class size and the fact that there's a few guys who take the class. They're pretty good at it too. The songs get you going and once you get the steps, you're golden! When I lose my place, I just bust out in my own random moves. The point is to keep moving right? You can drop in for $10 or get a 10 class pass for $80. I think the pass is a better deal. If you like Zumba, check Lisa out! read more

Lisa is the best Zumba instructor I've had. I truly enjoy her style of teaching. Lisa teaches at the Addison Ice Arena on Tuesday evenings. When she teaches her class, she has her music run on a playlist so there's constantly music playing during the entire hour. I don't like it when other instructors stop to take a break after each song, or spends 2 minutes trying to find the next song. Also, when she teaches, she doesn't talk often. This allows us to enjoy the music and escape. I like that she doesn't talk throughout the class because I think when instructors are singing along to the music or yelling at us to don't give up is quite distracting. I want my workout experience to be a time for me, almost like a meditative experience. Also, I am a visual learner rather than an audio learner. It's easier for me to see Lisa show us the moves when she's on a raised platform. I highly recommend anyone who wants to have a good time working out to check her class out. The dancing is relatively easy and the people who take her class aren't judgmental people. They're there to work out too. One thing to note: there is not enough parking at the Addison Ice Arena. Either come early or park in the park across the street. read more

A few years ago I decided I could put off it no longer, I needed to get serious about exercising. The problem was, I hated to exercise. I always had good intentions, but never could get motivated. I decided if I signed up for a group class, I would finally have the motivation I needed to exercise. I heard about Zumba and found out they offered it through my park district, so I decided to give it a try. I LOVED it!!! The music was great, the moves were fun and Lisa made it easy to follow. I was hooked!! That was then. Now, Lisa is on her own and I still love Zumba! She teaches enough Zumba classes that you are almost sure to find a class that will work for your schedule. I usually am in a class twice a week. I have experienced other Zumba teachers, but Lisa is the best. Sometimes I will hear one of our "Zumba" songs on the radio when I am in my car and I can't help try to Zumba along to the music while driving. Drop by and try one of her classes. I'm sure you will love it too!! read more

To be honest, I really do not like fitness classes. I have no issue with exercise, I just generally stay away from organized classes...mainly because I'm an uncoordinated mess. I tried Zumba at Women's Workout World and it didn't do much for me. Even though I liked the music and everybody around me seemed to be having a great time, I just couldn't get the moves down. Then, a couple of friends encouraged me to try Zumba with Lisa on Tuesday nights. I was a little reluctant, but ended up going. I ended up loving the class. Lisa very carefully shows many of the steps prior to execution, so I found it easy to follow. I find that the hour just flies by, and have noticed my legs definitely look more toned. I am a regular on Tuesday nights now, and look forward to going every week. I would highly recommend this class for any fitness level, but would especially encourage novices to give this class a try. You just might become addicted. read more

I've tried other zumba instructors around the area and found some to be decent, some to be okay, and some to be downright horrible. Lisa D is still the best, in my opinion. Her energy level is contagious and her moves and choreography take the work out of working out. This is why I do zumba--I hate exercise and find it to be incredibly boring. Dancing, on the other hand, is FUN. This is why some people say zumba is exercise in disguise. read more

I agree with previous reviewer Ericka A 100%, so I don't have a lot to add. I am newer to Lisa's classes, have been to 4 so far. My gym, Lifetime fitness, offers some Zumba classes but I love Lisa's classes so much more that I pay to go to her! She absolutely knows the moves, makes the class and the steps easy to follow, and has wonderful music! She connects with her audience, which I find is lacking in some of the other Zumba classes I've taken at my gym. Thank you, Lisa! read more

I have been going to Lisa D's class for about two years, followed her to her current location in Addison. I am an avid exerciser, Pilates,yoga, weight training, all kinds of aerobics. I have to say this is my FAVORITE, get your groove on class. It is challenging and can be as high or low intensity as you like. Lisa is a great instructor, she changes it up often but not so often that you are lost. As the reviews have said you can follow the steps, and after a few classes you may actually feel like you know what you are doing! Try it, you will LOVE it!! It is so addictive. Then there are the ever so colorful and fun Zumbawear to buy. Lisa also has her "closet" with Zumba wear for sale.... try it ladies you will love it!! Oh I said that already. read more

I am very uncoordinated and was very unsure of Zumba because I don't even like to dance. A friend convinced me to go and we had a BLAST. I was an athlete all through college and have done every workout routine out there and I can say that this is a great workout! Lisa is a fantastic intructor! She is easy to follow, very motivating and energetic. I would refer anyone looking for a good workout to go to her Zumba classes! :-) read more