The Rhythm Attic

This review is for Zumba only. I have been going to the Zumba classes here for over a year now, with some breaks in between. I am not the kind of person who likes to run or walk on the treadmill, have always needed something more involved and fun as a workout. And that’s the reason I love Zumba. And Heidi is just the perfect instructor, she is very energetic and mixes up the moves very well. While newcomers may find it a little difficult to keep up due to the high energy and fast pace of her classes, but if you love to dance it’s only a matter of one or two classes before you get into the groove. Overall a great value for time and money!

Heidi is the owner and instructor. She has assembled a friendly positive and energetic staff which make the classes absolutely fun. I have taking all the different classes as some point and each are great work out.

I take Zumba with Rie at Rhythm Attic. The class is great — Rie is an awesome teacher and the Rhythm Attic staff are wonderful. My only issue is that the room is too dang hot!

This review is long overdue. I am very grateful to Unilocal for finding this place! I was looking for a non-​gym environment where I could attend Zumba classes and am so happy I found what I was looking for here at Rhythm Attic. Heidi is a wonderful instructor, she finds great songs and fun moves that get your body truly working. On one hand, I want this to stay the amazing hidden gem it is, but on the other hand I had to write this review and share it with Zumba lovers in the area!

I went to Rhythm attic for Zumba class with Heidi, she is warm and friendly, puts you at ease and also gives encouragement while dancing. The owner/​manager of the studio is also friendly. I give 3 stars because the Zumba felt more like a mix of Bollywood workout. There could be some overlap of moves in every dance workout, however this class didn’t have Zumba music or Zumba moves that one would expect!

I am editing myself for niceness and my gut said to give this a 2 star. I have been holding off on the off-​chance that I may need to go back there but I have admitted to myself that I won’t, so I am comfortable sharing this review now. The data:
BACKSTORY: I took UJam at Santa Clara Rec, and it was amazing. I have previously taken Zumba, before it became a thing, and it is a fast-​paced Latin-​rhythm aerobics class that demands a lot of fast and intricate footwork. Especially for beginners, and people with mobility issues, I have never approved of Zumba, although everyone raves about it. They rave about it because the music is fun and upbeat and people are friendly — but to be realistic, the footwork goes at a pace that I think can be unsafe if you are not already very used to aerobics and swift dancing and well coordinated and comfortable with following quick choreography in groups. For this reason, UJam is my preference; while there can be fast choregraphy, it breaks up frequently, etc.
I am a heavier girl, and had to begin a journey (we’re all on it, whatever our levels of health). I needed to fill my calendar with dancing and fitness, so I took the free sample classes at RA, including trying out their Hot Hula, their Zumba, and their UJam. I am not going to name names right now, but the «energetic» instructor for Zumba is not good at articulating or guiding (aka, teaching) — and while she is energetic, I never felt she was *safe.* When people tell you that you are beginner not to take her class, there is a reason. You could injure yourself trying to keep up with her, and there is no guidance on modification, etc. (also an issue with Zumba overall, as you see above, I have reservations about that fitness form). I have also experienced better UJam classes elsewhere. Same for Hot Hula. Just all around better teaching. These teachers have to start somewhere, and I want them to be successfull — just know that you will be a bit of a guinea pig, and your fitness experience may not be optimized for your best results.
Aside from that, if you are into DANCING — the art of dancing, and you are trying to actually get better at DANCING — you will not necessarily find that in MOST of the classes. This is harsh, but, if you are beginner, and trying to experiment — which I was — this serves a purpose. But to be perfectly honest, I have shopped hard in my area and been to MANY studios, and I belong to SEVERAL now, because I have learned a valuable lesson — you will not learn, grow, and advance in your fitness and health unless you are inspired. And if you dont’ know what you are missing, you could be expanding your potential, and challenging yourself in ways you never conceived of. My first UJam instructor (SC Rec) totally spoiled me – she’s an amazing dancer and teacher. I have experienced several instructors all over and you can tell A instructors from B and C and RA … has never reliably inspired me to, say, drive 30 min out of my way to come there. But I have definitely found those instructors for UJam and Hot Hula, for example, elsewhere locally.
I am trying to be kind and realize you may still feel this is harsh, but that’s just how it is. Several of the teachers may lack rhythm, not articulate steps and just start dancing without prepping you or showing you anything, not adjust you for proper form for safety, or even just start late cuz they’re disorganized and a little lost.
The staff are very nice; they have a class pass. I literally bought a 20 class pass guys. It has at least 3 classes left on it. From a year ago. I found better teachers and facilities elsewhere and just … never could justify going back. It was a gap filler for me, not a place I really WANTED to go.
The gym below — a kid’s gym, very very smelly, and that smell travels upstairs, b/​c during the day the studio is clearly also a tumbling room for the main facility. Windows don’t open, tiny room, no ventilation. They DO have A/​C — it just works poorly in a tall warehouse room with poor insulation. They use little floor fans to augment — it’s not enough. In the dead of summer — stinky and uncomfortable and crowded and close. I don’t mind a shared facility and I think it gets the job done, I’d just rather go elsewhere and experience better teachers and facilities.

This review is for Rie’s Zumba (Monday) and Zumba Toning (Friday) classes. I absolutely love Rie, her style, moves, and her collection of music. I have now attended 14 of her sessions. It is easy to follow her steps; sometimes it will take a few repetitions to get the routine for a particular song but you will definitely get it. She gives cues at the beginning of a song and that helps.
She is very warm, friendly, and will instantly put you at ease. I simply love the energy and enjoy each and every workout.

I came in for a Zumba class since I was in town for business. I have taken Zumba for years and I am also a trained dancer, so I am picky when it comes to this. The atmosphere was very welcoming! I took a class with Darcy. High energy and fun! Just like I like it. The facilities are not as great as others I’ve seen, that’s what they don’t get 5 stars. But other than that, I will definitely be back when I am back in Santa Clara for work.

I am blessed to have Heidi as a good friend. I am lucky to have co-​taught with Heidi and some of her other instructors. I love her energy and choreography. She has some awesome classes. I love the Zumba Classes that she offers and also the Zumba Toning Class.
As an instructor I love taking my friends classes and getting ideas from them and just having fun. Check out The Rhythm Attic you will love it!

Learned Zumba here. It is always a good workout.

I was introduced to Zumba about 3 years ago and absolutely love the dance moves & music of Zumba. I found Rhythm Attic about 2 years ago and have been a regular here since.
Heidi is a great instructor, real high energy and keeps the class alive and kicking. If I am going to spend an hour getting a workout, then I prefer it be not just Zumba, but Heidi’s Zumba class! I love her verbal cues too! It helps me keep up with the instructor and not lag behind, as I’ve found with some other instructors at other places.
The RA studio is a small but neat facility. Heidi and the manager keep it clean and the mirrors gleaming always! There are 3 fans for ventilation, but not blowing in your face.
Apart from Zumba, there are U-​Jam, Kickboxing and Hot Hula classes too. If you want to get a workout and have some fun in the process, Rhythm Attic is the place to go!

This review is for Zumba only — I haven’t gone to other dance classes yet.
A prepaid dance card is good for 5 or 10 classes and can be used for ANY of the classes they offer. First time attending any of the classes is free. Beware, the energy is plenty and addictive.
Bring a small towel and water — the studio is small and fans do little unless you stand right next to them… you will sweat.
Heidi is a ball of energy and a fun instructor. She makes this «workout» fun. Her dances are generally more high intensity and might be considered challenging if your coordination isn’t completely there, but no one judges if you’re offbeat. ;) Darcy is super friendly also. Her dances aren’t as intense as Heidi, but you can definitely still get a good sweat going and the heart pumping. If you’re a beginner, maybe check out Darcy before moving into Heidi’s classes.
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced studio with friendly, welcoming people, check this place out. Remember, first class is FREE so you have nothing to lose, but some sweat on the floor. ;)

The Tuesday Zumba with Heidi is the best workout I’ve had in years! For the last couple of years I’ve tried to take up running but seemed to max out at about 3 miles and would get bored. With Zumba i think i get a better cardio workout (your fast and slow non-​stop) and it’s so engaging! Love this class and can’t wait to go back! It does get a little stuffy in there because there’s a lot of people moving around, but it’s a workout, you’re supposed to sweat… a lot…
Monday is a little slower so if you’re a beginner it would be a good class to start with, it’s also a smaller group.

I love zumba and have been doing it regularly for about three years now. Zumba is great exercise, but also tons of fun, so I make sure to go around twice a week. The zumba classes here are always fast paced — just the way I like them. The only problem is that sometimes there are issues finding a parking spot and the room can get kinda hot in the summer. But I’m always sweating up a storm anyway, so it doesn’t bother me.

The U-​Jam class was fun! It’s a great workout that’s not too intensive but gets the heart pumping. Great hip-​hop music as well !!!

Excellent Zumba and U-​Jam studio. Located above a gymnastics facility, it’s pretty easy to get to off 101. I’ve attended Zumba/​U-​Jam classes here on Saturdays and Mondays and the instructors are always fabulous and encouraging. There are mirrors on two sides of the studio which make it easy to check the instructor’s and your own form while you’re going through the movements. The only thing keeping me from giving The Rhythm Attic 5 stars is the lack of air conditioning. There’s only two floor fans running in there and, goodness gracious, it gets HOT. Still, a great studio all in all!

FUN FUN FUN! It’s the most fun you can have while working out. Saturday classes with Alyssa are a great way to get in a work out and dreading going on a weekend is but a distant memory! You have a good time and SWEAT too boot. I’ve taken a class on tuesday nite as well and it’s just as challenging. The moves are a little bit salsa and belly dance on saturday and tuesday and thursday are salsa/​hip hop. Either way do yourself a favor and check it out.