PulsePDX

The staff was very welcoming. The instructor for the Zumba class on Sunday at 9am was high energy and knowledgeable. I love the nightclub atmosphere and that the teacher is on stage, I could see her and the moves no matter where I was in the room. I’m looking forward to trying other classes. Additionally I’m stoked they offer a melt class!

Wow I cannot say enough good things about this place! I’ve been to many Zumba classes but never one that was this much fun! Jennifer was amazing and had great energy that flowed through the class. The dances were challenging but not too tough that you couldn’t get the hang of them by the end of the class.
I also loved that she brought other students up to dance the dances on stage with her as it was interesting to see other peoples takes on the dances.
SO MUCH FUN!!!

I have spent so much time looking for an aerobic workout that works for me… hard-​core classes with intense music and someone yelling in my face are just not my thing. Luckily, I found Pulse PDX, and now getting my regular exercise is effortless and fun! The Zumba classes are strength-​building and the right level of challenge, and believe it or not you learn the moves faster than you think. Jennifer, Kimo, and Quinlan are all awesome. It is one of the most accepting, welcoming, and friendly places I’ve ever been.

PulsePDX offers a class called Pound that I stayed for post-​Zumba. oh my god, in a word: amazing.

Let me preface this by saying I am not a fan of Zumba… but I love Zumba at PulsePDX! I’ve tried for years to take Zumba classes at various studios, but I just can’t get into the latin music and fast footwork. I can take a few songs, but an entire hour? Nope! I love Donnie’s Zumba class which is more like Zumba + Top 40 + A few throwbacks. I love dancing, especially when there aren’t any mirrors and the lights are off! I’ve also attended a few Fusion classes which are great.

Steps to feeling ok about yourself and your choices:
Step one — never stop eating deliciousness or reviewing how awesome every bite of that cream heavy pasta was, or stop eating dessert, ever, always eat dessert. Accept this and you will be happy.
«But I’ll get fat orian!» Ok then…
Step two — asses whether or not living in sweat pants is a good look for you.
I’ll answer that. its not.
Step three — realize if you’re going to be in those sweat pants you might as well sweat in then from moving, not just from pie.
Mmmm pie
Step four — get your big butt to pulse!
Even if you have a little butt, get it to pulse!
I have been up and down with my weight all my life. Crazy gym time, personal trainers, yoga booty buster etc. I am not naturally blessed with a metabolism of a 16 yr old growing boy and never have had that luxury. The goal always hanging over my fluffy round head of being that «perfect» body. Not only have I struggled with my weight, I’ve struggled with damaging self critisims and loathing, even at my lightest never ever being that «perfect»
My conffesion is not an unusual one, I think most of us say cruel things about ourselves in our heads or occasionally outloud.
I can truely say that pulse is the cure for all that negative self talk and idealized perfection we seem to carry around.
Its hard to write this without whelling up a little because of what this place has given me, which is peace.
You know why? Cause its FUN. Its so much fun that on my rest days I can’t wait to go back. I’m often there for 2 hrs in the am then back again for 3 more hours in the evening!
Its a seeing is believing situation.
This place is dark, like night club dark, there’s flashing lights and a dj, no mirrors, no judgement, just pure unadulterated energy and fun.
A lot of places boast this but they are not even close.
The teachers are so amazing! And real and geniune. They have created this community that fosters a togetherness. they have genuine concern about how your liking the classes, which classes would help.
*I wrote this review long ago, but hadn’t seem to have posted it. this is still true all these things.

This place is amazing! I have never had so much fun exercising. I’ve taken Josh’s Zumba tone and George’s Zumba and LOVE them both. I’m moving my body in ways I haven’t for 20 years, and am so happy and energized after the class. And it’s dark and there are no mirrors so you don’t feel silly, but the people are so nice and friendly it wouldn’t matter if the lights were on. I can’t wait for next time. Thank you to all involved.

No longer am I a spring chicken that can drop it like it’s hot in da-​club. So I get my booty shaking fix at PulsePDX, sans the hangover.

I hate working out, I would rather go to the DMV than to the gym. This place really makes working out enjoyable! I have never laughed so hard while dancing my ass off having no idea what I’m doing, but hey who cares, I am sweating and having a blast. Pound is an insane workout, Josh is awesome. Donnie is my fav. Zumba teacher, he is hilarious and has the best energy. It’s really inexpensive when you buy a membership too. So so glad I found this place!

Big Brother: «Please roll the tape of Ana B. At Zumba.» *tape plays* «Yeah, we’re gonna have to put her down.»
My thoughts at Zumba. «I’m nailing this».
I would NEVER want to watch a video of myself doing Zumba. I prefer to live in the fairy tale where I look like a sex goddess doing all my Zumba moves. Luckily for me Puse PDX has no mirrors and I can do my Zumba with all the grandiosity I please and not have the mirror to reality check me. For classes like Zumba where it’s more important that you’re moving than if you are or are not hitting each posture (spoiler alert: I’m not) I’m surprised more studios that specialize in this don’t remove the mirror. I think it’s genius! It really helped me embrace the whole experience and get me out of my head.
Forget everything you think you know about Zumba, PulsePDX offers what they call «Zumba Nightclub Experience» which will take you to a whole new level. Allow me to set the stage. Enter into a huge night club-​esque room with an stage and another, elevated DJ booth on the stage. Cue the disco ball and flashing lights, bump the music DJ it’s Zumba time! From what I can tell if there is a song what you feel you know well you can go on stage with the instructor and show off your moves. The songs are your typical Zumba jams (all hail Pittbull!) with a few top 40 thrown in the mix.
The instructors I’ve had have been wonderful. First off both were male, which was a nice surprise seeing in my past Zumba life I had never even had men in class, and lets be real I don’t mind looking at those muscles. There were also a handful of men in class which was great. People of all sizes, shapes and ages populated the dance floor to shake their booty. All cues are given physically regarding the moves, you just gotta watch. It’s fairly simple to pick up on, and if you’re a slow learner like me — just free style.
The facility otherwise is pretty ho-​hum. Not a lot of bells and whistles, but clean and with a place to change! Staff is friendly and accommodating. I would’ve liked a bit more instruction on my first visit. Explaining where to put my bag (there are cubbies in the studio) and where the water was (back near the bathroom). Just a few more pointers would’ve been helpful although I navigated everything just fine and I’m sure you will too. While I appreciate anywhere with a parking lot this one in particular is a goddamn nightmare. So so tiny, if it had been at capacity I don’t know how I would’ve gotten out. You’ve been warned!
Pulse PDX proved to be a good place to get sweaty and if you like Zumba, it’s a must.

So. Much. Fun! Oh, and an awesome workout, too.
Have taking just a few classes so far, I look forward to sampling them all. The atmosphere is friendly and a perfect execution of a great idea. Even a 10am class with a nightclub slant works (I was just a bit skeptical at first).
Pricing is really fair and not once has anyone tried to «sell» me on any package deal. Just kind folks, doing a terrific job of making working out a blast, and making trying something new and/​or joining a community comfortable.

It’s been 4 months and I am still stoked to exercise here as often as my schedule will permit. I would go twice a day if I could; it’s that much fun. I’m 38 and this is the first time in my life that I have found something fitness related that I truly look forward to. (Ok, I guess I felt that way about rollerskating when I was 10. But next to that, Zumba.)

If you are looking for a real ass-​kicking you should seriously check out the Sunday Zumba toning class with Josh. Not only is he insanely adorable, he sincerely cares about the state of your buns. I can tell because mine usually hurt until Wednesday. Check it out!!!

This place is amazing! It makes me actually ENJOY working out. The nightclub experience classes really do make you feel like you’re in a nightclub, complete with DJ and Disco ball.
The instructors are easy to follow, being up on stage. And I think even beginners could easily pick it up within 2 or 3 classes.
So glad I’ve discovered this place!

I love this company– FINALLY I have found a workout place that is accepting of everyone, nonjudgemental, and just all about having fun. I fit in and can honestly say I am excited to workout… it’s a miracle!
The staff and instructors are so knowledgable and willing to be completely honest about the different class skill levels, but at the same time they are very good at encouraging you to stay with it.

I just moved to Portland and I got fat. The fantastic food and brews here have caught up with me and I decided I had to join some kind of gym. I knew right away this was a place I wanted to try. Its a lot of fun but I def know its gonna take quite a few classes to not be spinning in the wrong direction and looking like I may have a neurological disorder.
I tried out the Cardio Jam class tonight and I LOVED it. The moves are a lot easier to follow because it’s what your already doing in the club when you loaded and think your coordinated. I found myself smiling through most of it which is not normal for me when exercising. Lisa is super cute, full of energy and her moves are dope (yes, I said dope). The only draw back is this class is only once a week. I would def go to this class more then once a week if it was offered.
I am also totally in love with the porky little pug who greets everyone waiting for class to start…

I finally did a Zumba class and boy did I pick the right one! For whatever reason I have been reluctant to try this new work out craze. Couldn’t figure out why since I was a dancer as a kid. So I put my big girl pants on and went last night to the club zumba.
It was amazing and exhilarating. I sweated, laughed, lots of whoops and hand clapping and let myself go like I haven’t in a long time. Thank you!
What was great to see was there were so many different types of people all there getting their groove on and having fun. The instructors were energetic, great at cuing you and of course easy on the eyes!
I will be coming back and purchasing a membership and trying the other classes that are offered. And of course spreading the word.

This is where the Zumba party is at! It’s like going to the club except no drunk idiots wandering around. Seriously, if you want to have fun and be entertained while getting in shape, go to Pulse! I have only done their Zumba class so far but am looking forward to trying them all out!

There is no better place to exercise/​get fit in Portland than PULSE! Their classes are unique, upbeat, and you feel like you are having fun versus working out. Before you know it, your entire back is dripping with sweat!
I love their zumba, cardio funk, and bollywood classes!

I love this place. A great group of instructors and the nightclub atmosphere makes the Zumba environment fun. I really want to try their Melt class sometime too.
I highly recommend checking this place out. Get there about 10 minutes early to get a good spot on the floor. Bring water and a light hoody or long sleeved shirt to wear until you warm up (for Fall/​Winter classes).

Fun fun fun! You hardly notice the sweating and huffing and puffing you’re doing. Nice alternative to the ho-​hum gym. Hour long of cardio with DJ and lights going. Very club like.
Locations have changed several times but it’s worth a short drive. They frequently have guest instructors and whether you are new at Zumba or a pro you’ll have a great time.
If you’re new get up front so you can learn the footwork. (no one watches you so don’t feel uncomfortable) Also-​buy a package-​it saves money and motivates you to go more often.