Bigger Woman wanting to becoming a Zumba instructor
BadOneEarMonkey
Posts: 24
I am so totally into Zumba and love it and have had much success in losing weight so far with eating right, gym workouts and Zumba...
I want to become a Zumba instructor in the future but not sure when I should consider doing it...
Is sooner better or should I wait longer?
I have never seen a bigger girl instructing so not sure...
Maybe just low self esteem and its all in my head?
I want to become a Zumba instructor in the future but not sure when I should consider doing it...
Is sooner better or should I wait longer?
I have never seen a bigger girl instructing so not sure...
Maybe just low self esteem and its all in my head?
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Replies
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It's all in your head!! Do your research and go for it!!!0
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I do bikram yoga and most of the instructors I see are overweight. I don't think size really matters when its paired with command and knowledge!0
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Yah I have actually lol, I am really impatient and like to do things as I want to...
I just been unsure if I should wait till I slimmed down more...
I have noticed how much energy I have doing it too, helps so much when your totally into doing it, never going to let myself go again!
Thanks :-)0 -
I have a fabulous instructor that is a bigger lady. She's losing along with us and we love her!! She gives us all hope. I'm very intemidated by a skinny Zumba instructor. I say, go for it and gain some self esteem!!0
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Do what you think is right.. I think it would be inspiring for other people out there to see a fitness instructor that doesn't have washboard abs yet!0
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I'm sure this won't be a popular response and guess what? I don't care! Being an overweight fitness instructor is not a good look.0
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You should definitely go for the training as soon as you find one in your area.
"What the mind believes, the body achieves"0 -
I'm sure this won't be a popular response and guess what? I don't care! Being an overweight fitness instructor is not a good look.
^^^ This0 -
I'm sure this won't be a popular response and guess what? I don't care! Being an overweight fitness instructor is not a good look.
No, it's a pretty pathetic response but yours to have.0 -
I have a fabulous instructor that is a bigger lady. She's losing along with us and we love her!! She gives us all hope. I'm very intemidated by a skinny Zumba instructor. I say, go for it and gain some self esteem!!
I figured it would be motivating someone doing it with you, and you noticing a difference in yourself and your instructor...
My mother mentioned too once I am smaller can show people before pictures and a difference it has made in my life.0 -
My Zumba instructor is a 5'1 and very voluptuously curvy woman. She keeps all of us motivated and is very high energy. I think becoming an instructor has nothing to do with weight, but more with stamina and endurance. If you got what it takes go for it!!!!!0
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I'm sure this won't be a popular response and guess what? I don't care! Being an overweight fitness instructor is not a good look.
No, it's a pretty pathetic response but yours to have.
Oh please! You know damn well if you walked into fitness class and you saw someone overweight,like myself, the first thing you would think is how the hell is she a fitness instructor. Quit the damn BS and keep it real.0 -
I have a fabulous instructor that is a bigger lady. She's losing along with us and we love her!! She gives us all hope. I'm very intemidated by a skinny Zumba instructor. I say, go for it and gain some self esteem!!
I figured it would be motivating someone doing it with you, and you noticing a difference in yourself and your instructor...
My mother mentioned too once I am smaller can show people before pictures and a difference it has made in my life.
I was going to add.. I think the neat part about having a "bigger" fitness instructor is that when you have regulars in your class, as they see your body change, it inspires them. Size does not matter, however, you should aim to atleast be able to keep up with your workouts. Naturally, if you decide to teach other classes, you may stop and walk around to monitor participant's form. Haven't taken zumba before, just know that it is a lot of dancing so I'm not sure if instructors stop to look at form of others. Anyway, aim for the stars.. keep exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, if and when you get smaller, that's great for you but don't let it stop you from your aspirations!0 -
Thanks for the advice... The current class is when I am outta town but will look for the next ones...
As for the negative feedback, it's fair, not everyone will have the same opinion... But probably some better choice of words to use?
But for some people skinny instructors intimidate them and I would want to encourage more people to make a difference in their lives (big or small people).0 -
I'm sure this won't be a popular response and guess what? I don't care! Being an overweight fitness instructor is not a good look.
No, it's a pretty pathetic response but yours to have.
Oh please! You know damn well if you walked into fitness class and you saw someone overweight,like myself, the first thing you would think is how the hell is she a fitness instructor. Quit the damn BS and keep it real.
I don't even know what you look like, don't care. Your attitude stinks, please don't spread it and bring others down...... and trust me, I am one of the "realest" folks on this forum. I think this girl can do it.. It's Zumba, a bloody dance program. Your size doesn't matter but your ability to lead others and dance throughout the entire program does.
Btw, OP.. I have been asked to become a fitness instructor at my gym on numerous occasions.. I'm 166lbs, 23% BF. SIZE AND WEIGHT DOESN'T MATTER. Your participants will come back as long as they see that you can lead them and make it fun. They also will continue to come back as they see your body change too. Ignore this "person" for better lack of terms, OK? I believe in you.0 -
Thanks for the advice... The current class is when I am outta town but will look for the next ones...
As for the negative feedback, it's fair, not everyone will have the same opinion... But probably some better choice of words to use?
But for some people skinny instructors intimidate them and I would want to encourage more people to make a difference in their lives (big or small people).
You hit it dead on... you will be a gem to those who are intimidated by fit instructors or exercise in general. I think you can make good money teaching it because of your uniqueness. Anyway, time for me to move on from this thread. Let us know what you end up doing.0 -
Zumba is not like your typical "fitness class." When I went for my instructor training, there were a few bigger girls in there, and guess what, they could totally dance circles around me, and I had been doing it for a year!!!! They looked great doing it. As a matter of fact, they even got brought on stage! I'm not all that skinny myself, and there are girls who appear to be more in shape than me, but I kick their booties every time!!!! Go for it girl!!! The best instructors are those who have lost weight doing zumba, 'cuz they know how great it is, and they have an awesome passion for it! A lot of bigger girls want to do zumba, and some try, but are intimidated by the skinny minnies in the class, so to see a bigger girl teaching the class would probably help them to feel more comfortable. I was 210lb's when I started zumba, and after a week or 2 I could have danced circles around some of the smaller girls. Good luck!!!! Just hope you don't plan on getting rich doing it. It has to be a labor of love. :happy:0
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I have a good friend who is a heavy Zumba instuctor. Or I should say was a heavy Zumba instructor. She became an instructor at over 300 lbs and has recently lost over 120 lbs! Never let your weight fears from stopping you from doing what you love. I started taking Zumba classes at 317 lbs. It wasn't easy at first, but I loved it enough not to quit. Now I take 5 different Zumba classes several times a week! Do what you love and love you do at any weight!0
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If you can go faster and do the moves bigger and stronger than the rest of the class, and not get out of breath, then I think you should be able to do it.
I had a zumba instructor that was a bit older and bigger and she hardly did any of the moves properly. it was confusing when you're trying to copy her, and when she got too out of breath to talk to the class, it was irritating.
i think it's a great goal and you should do anything you set your mind to, but be aware that holding extra weight could make it more difficult for you to go through the motions stronger than everyone, which could be off putting or frustrating to class members.
my absolute honest opinion :flowerforyou:0 -
I'm sure this won't be a popular response and guess what? I don't care! Being an overweight fitness instructor is not a good look.
No, it's a pretty pathetic response but yours to have.
Oh please! You know damn well if you walked into fitness class and you saw someone overweight,like myself, the first thing you would think is how the hell is she a fitness instructor. Quit the damn BS and keep it real.
I don't even know what you look like, don't care. Your attitude stinks, please don't spread it and bring others down...... and trust me, I am one of the "realest" folks on this forum. I think this girl can do it.. It's Zumba, a bloody dance program. Your size doesn't matter but your ability to lead others and dance throughout the entire program does.
Btw, OP.. I have been asked to become a fitness instructor at my gym on numerous occasions.. I'm 166lbs, 23% BF. SIZE AND WEIGHT DOESN'T MATTER. Your participants will come back as long as they see that you can lead them and make it fun. They also will continue to come back as they see your body change too. Ignore this "person" for better lack of terms, OK? I believe in you.
Thank you, I will do the next one that works with my schedule...
I just wanted to hear a few opinions :-)0 -
If you can go faster and do the moves bigger and stronger than the rest of the class, and not get out of breath, then I think you should be able to do it.
I had a zumba instructor that was a bit older and bigger and she hardly did any of the moves properly. it was confusing when you're trying to copy her, and when she got too out of breath to talk to the class, it was irritating.
i think it's a great goal and you should do anything you set your mind to, but be aware that holding extra weight could make it more difficult for you to go through the motions stronger than everyone, which could be off putting or frustrating to class members.
my absolute honest opinion :flowerforyou:
Yah I get what you mean, I am not a slacking and don't get winded haha...
I had a skinny instructor watch herself and not care about the people in the class, I stopped going to that one...0 -
My Zumba instructor wasn't big. But she wasn't tiny either, she had some tummy on her..I've not been in awhile, I really miss it! It was so much fun!0
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Just a heads up...as a size 10 years ago (and only because I had a big butt..I played college soccer at the time so I was pretty fit), I interview seven times for a sales position at Lifetime Fitness. After the 7th interview I was told to call the manager in a day and get my training schedule.
When I called, his exact words were "I have decided that Lifetime Fitness is not for people like you", and that is was a better fit for "small" people.
I love that you want to instruct, but beware of the ignorance of other people. If you can teach it, and teach it well...go for it.0 -
go for it. but give it some time. i mean, you sound like you just started zumba. learn, keep taking classes, talk to instructors, find out where they got certified, ask them questions on other things too.
i mean, don't just become a zumba instructor just because you're really into it right now.0 -
I would love to attend a Zumba class or any other class that the instructor was not a size 4. Yes I'm overweight but I to would still be nice to attend a class and not be so intimidated. I can't twist my overweight body into all those positions and it would be nice to be in a class that was being taught by a heavier set individual. Also if classes could be offered by weight classification, I think more people would be out there enjoying different exercise classes. Maybe that can be your draw to encourage overweight people to come out and try Zumba. I think you would do very well!0
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I'm sure this won't be a popular response and guess what? I don't care! Being an overweight fitness instructor is not a good look.
No, it's a pretty pathetic response but yours to have.
Oh please! You know damn well if you walked into fitness class and you saw someone overweight,like myself, the first thing you would think is how the hell is she a fitness instructor. Quit the damn BS and keep it real.
Bull.
Depends on their moves...shake it baby.0 -
Also if classes could be offered by weight classification, I think more people would be out there enjoying different exercise classes.
lol. yeah, that would go over well.
8am- Zumba for the fatties
9am- yoga for skinny beaches0 -
Go for it! The wisdom and heart necessary to teach come from your mind and spirit. "Looking the part" is no use if they cannot teach. You will do fine. I have two friends from church that Zumba a instruct. Both average body types0
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Go for it! :-)0
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I've had bigger instructors. It's not an issue as long as you can dance good and keep up the active energy. She was actually my favorite zumba instructor. I think she was one of the best dancers.0
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