Zumba questions

aghack

Hey MFPers,
I want to try Zumba, but I am scared to death. Am I going to look like a complete moron? I can't dance- seriously, I have no rythm. Add to that the extra 45lbs I'm carrying, and I want to crawl under a rock rather than dance in front of others. However, this journey is about challenging myself. SO- I was wondering, how akward is it? Have any of you ever been too scared to try a group fitness class? Too scared for Zumba? How did you get over it (if you did)?

Thanks-
Angela

Skeemer118

My friend used the Zumba for Wii & also Zumba videos at YouTube to practice before she went to a class. That way she knew some moves & wasn't so self conscious. Everyone I know that has tried Zumba LOVES it. Good luck!

aghack

Thanks!

Charlene_91

I do Zumba on the Wii and that way no body sees me so what ever i look like who cares lol.

It's a good workout too really gets my heart rate up. And very sweaty (soz).
Plus its fun

lacroyx

I saw a class at my YMCA. It looked fun. Alot of uncoordinated folks. I just went one day and been going since for a few months now. I suck but I have fun. No one is going to judge you or care. My Zumba instructor is very helpful and gives everyone alternatives they can do if they can't mimic or do all the moves. I for one can't skip so I do this werid half-assed hopping thing. Just go.

dianer75935

I LOVE Zumba and I am over a 100lbs overweight.. you get so involved in dancing that you dont even realise that there are other people there.

AnnaZ223

I have been going to Zumba classes off and on for almost 2 years. I love it! In fact just starting back tonight after not going for 3 mos. My daughter has b-ball on the nights I normally go.
You should just go and have fun. No one is going to judge you. You are making an effort to change your body. I hope you go and enjoy yourself! Good luck

Allie_71

You'll do great. Everyone starts somewhere. Zumba is very forgiving, and the reason why it is so popular is that it is accessible to all fitness levels and abilities. Jump in. 2 years ago, I felt the same way. Now I"m 70 lbs lighter and an instructor. You'll be fine

Send me a message if you have any questions

mnwalkingqueen

I recently with in the last month started taking a zumba class. They are all a little different the one I like the most is geared more towards hip hop moves. I would not worry about looking ackward it took me 3 classes to get most of the steps down and I am not coordinated there are still times the class is going right and I am going left. The biggest thing is just keep moving no matter what. I say give it a try and you may find something you love but if you don't try you won't know.

Milliebear66

go along.. it's fun.. I have NO co ordination at all .. so what .. just go and meet new people and have a laugh.. whatever you do, you'll be burning calories .. go for it ..

kcoftx

I went and talked to the instructor before I started and she put me at ease. She assured me that nobody follows all the moves right away. It's okay. So I concentrated more on getting through it. Did I feel like a dork sometimes? Yes. Am I a natural dancer? Not even close. It was a more fun workout than anything else I've tried thus far! I will admit that on the first day, I did feel like I wanted to die about 20 minutes into it and at minimum quite right then and there. I took a brief one song break out in the hall while I cooled down and then rejoined and powered through. I was quite proud of myself! The next time I went, I had a little more confidence but I also did something else that really helped a lot. I brought 2 bottles of water. They give us about 1 min. between song selections. I grabbed my bottle each and every time and took a sip. This helped more than I can tell you. While I still had to power through, this time I wasn't as over heated and didn't feel like a boiled lobster. Don't misunderstand--I was sweating but it was different from being overheated. I downed both bottles and it normally takes effort for me to want to drink water, much less two in one hour. I'm getting better! I'm still not 100% but I like that I'm making progress and I like the moves they teach us. Don't worry too much about being perfect. There is always several in each class so far that are beginners and missing the beat too. It's okay.

WhiteCoc0

Just do it!!! Seriously you will love it. No one pays attention to anything, too much sweat dripping in their faces. lol. Its sooo much Fun.

Stippyrow

I've heard Zumba is a blast! Have you tried Jazzercise? They are really awesome at giving you directions and making sure you are staying with the class and dancing That may be a fun alternative! I personally LOVE it!

TeresaWash

I weigh 290.... and wouldn't miss my ZUMBA Class. The first couple of times it's hard to get the steps down, but you catch on quickly. Now I am addicted. It is a really good work out and the time goes by soooooooo fast. A 45 minute zumba class seems like 10 minutes on the elliptical to me. So much fun. and if you cant do the steps just keep moving, that's all that matters. in my class there are all sorts of different fittness levels, nobody thinks anything of it. As a matter of fact, the really "good" ones are the funnest ones cuz they are hooting and hollering and moving like you wouldn't believe and they are great to us "puggy" ones who aren't quite up to par. So much fun!!! Don't be embarrassed or intimidated.... DO IT!!!

Oh yeah.... and I am 141 pounds lighter thanks in part to ZUMBA! (among other things)

kappy_hollowell

Like the others said, just ty it! Last summer I took my first Zumba class, and I was scared to death, but so was everyone else, and we all looked like idiots for the first couple of times. BTW, no one is watching you, they are too worried about themselves. NOW, I'm a Zumba Instructor! It's so much fun! It's more like being in a club than a fitness class! Just go and have fun, don't worry about doing the moves perfectly!

mjbrenner

If you are self conscious, get to class a little early and claim a spot in the back of the room. No one will really be judging you wherever you are, but you might feel better if no one is looking at you from behind. My sister-in=law went from very overweight to a svelte runner thanks in large part to Zumba. Enjoy it!

lchovet

You will find people of all shapes and abilities at mpost zumba classes. Chances are you won't be the only fisrt timer either. Find a friend to go with you you can luagh at each other. My teacher always says 3 things at the start of class
1. HAVE FUN !!!
2. There no wrong way to do Zumba, just keep moving.
3. No one is looking at you they're all looking at ME !

Give yourself a couple of classes to settle in, I bet you'll become another Zumba Addict !!!

jenbk2

I LOVE Zumba ! I go with my neighbor and she is skinny and she can't dance at all ! So your weight has nothing to do with it. You should go and shake your money maker ! It is alot of fun.

rebeccaME207

Ha ha me too! I went to the class and just had fun!! As long as you keep moving who cares!! I def cant dance and Im not good at wiggiling but I never had such a fun workout!! Just lighten up n enjoy it no matter what! You'll be exercising and no one is gonna judge you! Its a cool n chill atmosphere fo fun! GO TRY IT!!

turnerm65

I started Zumba a year and a half ago. I was hooked from the first class and have been going 2 or 3 times a week. It really is a "no judgement zone." All of us have been there, the first class... I've discovered that no one really pays attention to anyone but the instructor.

debgcook

Just go....seriously no one cares. They go and have fun, and it is all about moving and dancing and burning calories. No one is perfect. Trust me.

k8blujay2

Meh... it's like my zumba instructor always says... It's just as important to get up and shake it, as it is to get the moves right... getting the moves right will take time and practice... and we all look like complete morons (except maybe the instructor... )... but trust me, no one is going to care how you look, because ALL have been there at one time or another... When my instructor introduces a new routine, I am two left feet until I learn it... then I go all out as if I were doing it since the beginning of time... And I do it right in front where everyone can see my lack o' booty shakin'....

Just go and have fun!!!

TONYAGOOCH

I do a Zumba class at our gym 2-3 times a week. Nobody judges and alot of us look awkward. But it's so much fun and you get so involved in it that you completely forget that anyway. Just put yourself out there. I was so scared when I first walked in but that one time was all it took and I was hooked. You can do this. Go have some fun!

trawad

Yes you will look like a moron. But don't worry, you won't be the only one. Of course there will be the hard core fitness fanatics that make everybody feel stupid. But mostly there are regular people just trying to get in shape. I don't have any coordination either. But the class is so much fun, it doesn't matter that you don't know what your doing. If you just can't bring yourself to go, get the dvd or Wii game. Good luck to you. I hope you make it to the class.

janeite1990

Do it! I'd love to, but I'm doing other workouts right now. However, if it is something that any part of you wants, just decide to do it. Tell yourself before you sign up and before you walk in that you don't give a da*n what anyone else thinks. Anyone who does something to make themselves better deserves nothing but love and admiration. This is YOUR journey in life, and you should let what others might think dictate what you get to do. I bet you end up loving it!

aghack

My friend used the Zumba for Wii & also Zumba videos at YouTube to practice before she went to a class. That way she knew some moves & wasn't so self conscious. Everyone I know that has tried Zumba LOVES it. Good luck!

This is a great idea. I'll try a couple of them at home first!

shana_janee

I have a question since we're on the subject...how does everyone log Zumba in MFP? In the exercise database I've noticed Zumba isn't an option. But, dancing is. Do you just put it under dancing? Or do you add it to your exercises?

aghack

I do Zumba on the Wii and that way no body sees me so what ever i look like who cares lol.

It's a good workout too really gets my heart rate up. And very sweaty (soz).
Plus its fun

I bet they have it for my Xbox Kinect. I love the dance games, so this could work!

firstnamekaren

I really got tired of the same old stuff at the gym, and saw a TON of people crammed into the gym doing Zumba, and liked the music, so I thought I'd give it a try. I was hooked. Sure I was self conscious, but it really helped that there were so many other people who either didn't know what they were doing and were nervously looking around too. It's not like you see in the informercials, with the flashing lights and belly baring clothing - my Zumba classes involved women of all different sizes, shapes and skill level. It really does depend on the instructor too. A good instructor will offer modifications of the moves and switch up routines. I have a gym membership but pay extra for my Zumba classes. I've never tried the video game Zumbas, for me, it would be so much more fun with others.

msudaisy28

No one will care what you look like - they are all too busy paying attention to what they are doing to look at anyone else! It is seriously a lot of fun and an AWESOME workout. Definitely bring a large water bottle and a towel to wipe the sweat off between songs!

aghack

Thanks!