Possibly starting Zumba, need advice

If it's affordable for you it's a good price. I hate when people tell me I could have gotten something for cheaper, when it costs me more to go looking all over town (gas) or researching online (time) or just getting paralyzed in the price search (could cost the goal itself).

As for Zumba I have never done it and never will because a friend of my in-laws went on and on about it at a party and kept encouraging me to do it, even though I was clearly showing I was very uncomfortable with her discussing my weight in front of everyone especially as she kept telling me "you still have a pretty face" as though the rest of me were sh. it. Not that I think all the Zumba crowd are a-holes but just that it kind of ruined the whole thing for me.

I HAVE however been a dancer and cheerleader and aerobics class enthusiast. Simply as long as your learning the steps keeps you able to move side to side or back to front WITH the group so that you are never stationary when they are moving laterally or whatnot you'll have time to learn the steps and jump back in. Focus first on learning WHERE you should be in the formation at all times then after the class focus on the specific moves jumps or spins that get you there. Even if you looked like the most spastic dancer in the history of dancers my experience is I'm too caught up in what I'm doing for anyone else's mistakes to interfere with my routine. Unless her placement does. If they have cd's and some moves are standard, get a zumba video too and you can review specific moves the class uses once you get home targeting those moves your class uses more of only to help you get in line with the class faster.

I understand your concerns about what to wear. I always am concerned with what I'm wearing in any class I join I like to blend in first and then later show my unique style. See if you can get an idea what everyone at YOUR class wears by checking them out after class maybe you can get a coffee at the neighboring starbucks (they're everywhere right), or maybe sign up during a class you could spy them thru the window, or before the class as they are going in if there's no window. If you're comfortable asking to observe a class I'd look at one at a time that I wasn't planning to join it, so that all the people who see me watching won't be those I'm working out with. But that's just me I'm really private and hate anyone knowing more about me than necessary especially if it's that I'm a newbie.

That's it. Have fun, it seems like a superfun way to get some useful cardio so go for it! You can do it.

Do it! It's fun but get some shoes that are not running shoes. They grab the floor to much and can trip ya up.

Hey! Zumba was one of the first classes that I took and now I'm teaching it.

1. Yes, $7.00 per class is a good price. I usually charge anywhere from $6-8 depending on the location and how many people attend, so you're at about average.

2. EVERYONE including the instructor will make mistakes. Zumba is great for this, because nobody expects you to know the routine right off the bat. I've even seen some of my long-time students helping the Newbies with moves they are having trouble with and directions, things like that. If you find that a class is especially hard and frustrating for you, maybe try another one. There are tons of great Zumba instructors, each with their own style. You're bound to find somewhere you are comfortable, and can get your Zumba on!

3. I usually wear wicking capris and a wicking tank top. I don't do shorts, just because I'm not comfortable shaking my booty in front of 20+ people in shorts. HAHA But I do sweat, so the wicking and the tank top are a MUST for me. I also see people wearing wicking pants, that's a personal choice, I just tend to sweat a lot. With the shoes, I usually go with a supportive shoe, but one without too much tread to it. I like the support because some moves can be rough on the knees/ankles, but too much tread can hinder some spinning moves. I like to go with New Balance or Nike cross training shoes. Zumba.com has special shoes for it, but they don't offer enough support for me, and they're a bit out of my price range. I know people that swear by them, though, so they may be worth looking into.

4. Zumba was like an awakening for me. I was out of shape, and my mom actually invited me to a class. She invited me for weeks and weeks, and finally I owed her a night out, so I said I would go. I thought I would hate it and ended up having a BLAST. The night I took the class, I signed up for a monthly unimited membership, and started on myfitnesspal.com just a few weeks later. The fun environment and the welcoming people really made me believe that I could do this! And now 50 lbs. later, I have confirmed that belief. I have always loved Zumba class, it's one of the few workouts that I haven't gotten sick of and had to take a break from.

Feel free to add me/message me if you have any more questions! I hope I was able to help you! Don't feel like you're over reacting, all of us Zumba goers were just as nervous as you for our first time, and I'm pretty sure I asked my mom all of these questions plus some before I went with her. haha! Good luck!

1- The going rate for Zumba classes in my area ( Raleigh, NC) is $5. People who charge more usually don't have as many students, or maybe the rent is higher at their facility, etc. A 10-class pass is a way to insure that regulars attend the classes, and 10 classes for $50 is right at the going rate. Check it out and buy a pass if you like it a lot.

2-Seriously NO ONE is good at Zumba at first. Even if people have danced before, or even know how to merengue and cumbia, there are moves and combinations unique to Zumba that everyone has to learn. Plus you have to learn the instructor's style and the routines that they do a lot. I perhaps wouldn't stand at the very front, but it's important that you can see! I'd suggest standing in the middle off to one side. A couple classes into it though, you'll get a feel for it.


3- Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in. Shoes are the most important part! You'll need shoes that offer lateral support and support for jumping, NO RUNNING SHOES. Ryka is a great brand. A lot of people also have success with Reebok Zigs. I love Ryka Synergy, personally.

4- I liked it right away. The first instructor I had taught on carpet, which I didn't like, and I could tell that she got frustrated easily with us, so I switched instructors. I've been with the same one for over a year now, taking classes 3 times a week. Don't be afraid to shop around! Every instructor has his/her own personality and moves, and they can vary wildly in intensity as well.

Have fun!!

All I can say is Zumba is awesome a great burn fun and it does not matter if you keep up or not just do it!!!!

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I'm not sure about the price. My Zumba classes were free for the whole community because the guy running it had a day job and he was just leading it for fun.

I'm pretty uncoordinated and I did misstep a few times but no one really cares and I'm sure they probably don't even notice. It's all for fun and exercise. Our Zumba leader told us not to worry if we didn't get the moves down perfectly, and as long as we were moving we were doing well.

As for clothes, I just wore what I wear to the gym: t-shirt, sports bra and cotton shorts with my normal tennis shoes.

I really enjoyed the class! I was really bummed out when I graduated school and was moving town because I knew I'd miss my classes. There's a Zumba in town where I am now but I'm reluctant to join only because I have a lot of bills and can't really add on another expense right now.