Bigger Woman wanting to becoming a Zumba instructor

13

Replies

  • Mainebikerchick
    Mainebikerchick Posts: 1,573 Member
    I did an at home Zumba video once, and although I was home alone I was still embarrassed for myself~lol. If you're good at it and love it, go for it girl!

    I've been doing Zumba for almost a year and a half now...I've gotten pretty good at it with a lot of practice, but initially, I SUCKED. For at least the first 5 months or so, but you learn and you get better with time.

    OP, I say go for it! It doesn't matter to me how big the instructor is, only how she moves!
  • PaperDahlia
    PaperDahlia Posts: 41 Member
    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.

    not to mention the person who wrote this comment has a profile photo that talks about striving for progress and NOT perfection.
    seems hypocritical! am I right?

    Do whatever you wish..anything you want badly enough, can be achieved.
    it just takes focus and commitment.:happy:
  • Sqeekyjojo
    Sqeekyjojo Posts: 704 Member
    I would be happiest with a Zumba instructor who was fit enough to do the whole hour of class.

    Whether she/he was carrying some extra weight really wouldn't come into it. But if they couldn't manage the whole thing, I think that would intimidate me more - it would suggest that the class was so hard, even the expert can't keep up.


    So, if you are able to do the class, then go for it!
  • BadOneEarMonkey
    BadOneEarMonkey Posts: 24
    I would be happiest with a Zumba instructor who was fit enough to do the whole hour of class.

    Whether she/he was carrying some extra weight really wouldn't come into it. But if they couldn't manage the whole thing, I think that would intimidate me more - it would suggest that the class was so hard, even the expert can't keep up.


    So, if you are able to do the class, then go for it!

    I have not had a Zumba instructor not finish a class lmao, that would be totally weird.
    I am able to keep up lol, we just went to a Zumba party and me and a friend did the whole 1.5 hrs of Zumba (running for water between) lol
    Was great! And still went to the class I goto the next day :-)
  • Sqeekyjojo
    Sqeekyjojo Posts: 704 Member
    I would be happiest with a Zumba instructor who was fit enough to do the whole hour of class.

    Whether she/he was carrying some extra weight really wouldn't come into it. But if they couldn't manage the whole thing, I think that would intimidate me more - it would suggest that the class was so hard, even the expert can't keep up.


    So, if you are able to do the class, then go for it!

    I have not had a Zumba instructor not finish a class lmao, that would be totally weird.
    I am able to keep up lol, we just went to a Zumba party and me and a friend did the whole 1.5 hrs of Zumba (running for water between) lol
    Was great! And still went to the class I goto the next day :-)

    I've been to a few classes for different things over the years and occasionally encountered somebody who has sounded as though they read about it in a book, but never done it themselves. A larger instructor isn't a problem, but when you're talking about doing things that affect my health and physical condition, I do want to know that the person teaching me is capable of doing it. Same when I was at school, the PE teacher would join in with the activities she told us to do, to show us that it wasn't impossible and leading by example, I guess.


    So I'm fully in favour of someone larger teaching - it challenges preconceptions as well as making the big, scary thing that exercise can be, more accessible to even the larger, more unfit participant.
  • judychicken
    judychicken Posts: 937 Member
    Bump
  • BadOneEarMonkey
    BadOneEarMonkey Posts: 24
    Ok, I did it, Signed up and am set to learn to become and instructor July 27th! I have been working with a personal trainer and doing bootcamp, he also has me blogging! check it out at www.onefitcity.com I am Samantha :-)
    Lots of hard work and dedication going into this, I have lost about 33 lbs since I been really trying, still plenty more to go :-)
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    Thatta girl!! I'm so happy for you and wish you the best of luck! I know you will do well and inspire many!
  • KatLifter
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    It's all in your head!! Do your research and go for it!!!

    ^^This!
  • LadyElby
    LadyElby Posts: 151 Member
    My zumba instructor is a little big too. But it always astounds me how well she moves, and how fast!! She teaches 2, and often 3 zumba classes in a row a couple nights a week, at varying levels. I don't know how she does it since after one hour of her class I'm completely pooped! But I say, if you love it, and and you're good at it, go for it!! It probably takes some time and training to get certified anyway, so might as well get started. Good for you!
  • BadOneEarMonkey
    BadOneEarMonkey Posts: 24
    My zumba instructor is a little big too. But it always astounds me how well she moves, and how fast!! She teaches 2, and often 3 zumba classes in a row a couple nights a week, at varying levels. I don't know how she does it since after one hour of her class I'm completely pooped! But I say, if you love it, and and you're good at it, go for it!! It probably takes some time and training to get certified anyway, so might as well get started. Good for you!

    There are different levels so to speak of zumba, there is ones for kids, seniors, and the different kinds of dance, I am taking the first july 27th and will work my way from there. I do plan on taking the one for kids also as my neice loves Zumba.
    It's a day for the first one I am taking so, shall prove interesting.
  • Pearsokx
    Pearsokx Posts: 5 Member
    I so agree with you!!
  • BadOneEarMonkey
    BadOneEarMonkey Posts: 24
    Thatta girl!! I'm so happy for you and wish you the best of luck! I know you will do well and inspire many!

    Thanks, I am trying and it helps to have people who support what you wanna do. My trainer is totally happy I want to do this and is all for me doing it and thinks I will be good at it. He is amazed all the time on my ability to do things so lol. He has a goal himself to reach out to people to get healthy and fit, hence I am blogging as he asked :-)
  • Alissakae
    Alissakae Posts: 317 Member
    How exciting that you're going for it! Don't let anyone discourage you!
    I just got hired to teach water aerobics at the pool where I've taken the class for years, and am training with the head instructor now. Since I still have 95 pounds to lose I know she was skeptical when she met me....that night she had me just participate in her class and observe some things. Afterward she said, "You totally kept up, I'm impressed!" Fitness level isn't visible on the outside! Being able to do the moves and lead the group is what matters.
  • KatLifter
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    Found it!
    Here is an article about just this, http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/03/health/weight-loss-fitness-studio
  • KatLifter
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    DON'T LET ANYBODY TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN'T!



    hitch-dance-o_zps7dbc3479.gif

    ^^ Look at this guy.

    Quite possibly one of my favorite scenes.
  • hseipel12
    hseipel12 Posts: 26
    I think you should go for it as long as you aren't getting winded. It's important to be able to do everything easily if you are going to instruct people.
    Being totally honest, I once gave a work out video side eyes because the instructor was bigger. After 5 minutes all my doubts were gone and my butt was getting kicked. I'm ashamed of myself for being so jugdy.
  • Ibleedlipstick
    Ibleedlipstick Posts: 33 Member
    You can definitely do it! I'm an instructor and I love it.

    However, I will say that eventually, you don't burn as many calories as you think you do. Initially, you lose some weight and you feel awesome, but it is only an additional 300 calories or so per workout. I know some seriously fit personal trainers and fitness instructors that have actually gained weight from teaching. It is so easy to fall into the "I worked out twice today, I can eat X" that you really, really have to watch it.
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    If I took a fitness class and the instructor was overweight, I would think the class doesn't work. Yep, I said it.
  • BadOneEarMonkey
    BadOneEarMonkey Posts: 24
    If I took a fitness class and the instructor was overweight, I would think the class doesn't work. Yep, I said it.

    Perhaps you would need to ask the intructor where they started from? as oppose to judging before you even participated in the class.

    also, like some people have said, you be amazed on how some people who are heavier than yourself can move better and give you a better workout than someone "skinny".
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    If I took a fitness class and the instructor was overweight, I would think the class doesn't work. Yep, I said it.

    Perhaps you would need to ask the intructor where they started from? as oppose to judging before you even participated in the class.

    also, like some people have said, you be amazed on how some people who are heavier than yourself can move better and give you a better workout than someone "skinny".

    Now imagine trying to have this argument with everyone who considered your class. There's a hard way and an easy way. Trying to be an overweight fitness instructor is the hard way.
  • BadOneEarMonkey
    BadOneEarMonkey Posts: 24
    If I took a fitness class and the instructor was overweight, I would think the class doesn't work. Yep, I said it.

    Perhaps you would need to ask the intructor where they started from? as oppose to judging before you even participated in the class.

    also, like some people have said, you be amazed on how some people who are heavier than yourself can move better and give you a better workout than someone "skinny".

    Now imagine trying to have this argument with everyone who considered your class. There's a hard way and an easy way. Trying to be an overweight fitness instructor is the hard way.

    And that would be peoples choice, if people are too full of themselves to see past someone's exterior that is their problem and I am sure they have a very unhappy life.

    Where as it will encourage people who are intimidated by "skinny" instructors to come out and get active, those are the people I care about more and would want to reach, but anyone would be welcome to come, why? because I am confident in who I am and what I am doing for myself and accomplishing.
  • lightdiva1
    lightdiva1 Posts: 935 Member
    Here is my two cents, not that my opinion has any weight though.

    I take Zumba. I take from a friend who is 6'1'' and weighs maybe 135. Yeah she has a rock hard body and all legs. But she is incredibly motivating. I get challenged to keep up, keep moving, and keep smiling every moment of class.

    I have met a person who teaches Zumba (met thru a friend) who is overweight and I did think, "She is a fitness instructor? She has flabby thighs and a tummy." I thought it. I shook it out of my head, but I did think it. I have seen this woman's class, it ok. It is not anything like the class I take however. She doesn't push her students, yell and scream during class, and she sure as hell doesn't go full out for 60 minutes.

    But each person needs something different from an instructor. So what I need isn't always going to be what someone else needs. If you want to get certified in Zumba and become an instructor, go for it. Just don't let the critics comments bother you too much.
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    And that would be peoples choice, if people are too full of themselves to see past someone's exterior that is their problem and I am sure they have a very unhappy life.

    Either that or they're looking for a fitness instructor who leads by example. By being fit. It's a basic credibility issue in essentially a sales position.
  • BadOneEarMonkey
    BadOneEarMonkey Posts: 24
    Here is my two cents, not that my opinion has any weight though.

    I take Zumba. I take from a friend who is 6'1'' and weighs maybe 135. Yeah she has a rock hard body and all legs. But she is incredibly motivating. I get challenged to keep up, keep moving, and keep smiling every moment of class.

    I have met a person who teaches Zumba (met thru a friend) who is overweight and I did think, "She is a fitness instructor? She has flabby thighs and a tummy." I thought it. I shook it out of my head, but I did think it. I have seen this woman's class, it ok. It is not anything like the class I take however. She doesn't push her students, yell and scream during class, and she sure as hell doesn't go full out for 60 minutes.

    But each person needs something different from an instructor. So what I need isn't always going to be what someone else needs. If you want to get certified in Zumba and become an instructor, go for it. Just don't let the critics comments bother you too much.

    I don't at all, I am working towards a goal myself and will continue to do so, my trainer is the Director of personal training at my gym and is totally all for it and think I will do awesome. He has got me to do a lot of things I was not comfortable with at first. I am excited to be doing it.
  • BadOneEarMonkey
    BadOneEarMonkey Posts: 24
    And that would be peoples choice, if people are too full of themselves to see past someone's exterior that is their problem and I am sure they have a very unhappy life.

    Either that or they're looking for a fitness instructor who leads by example. By being fit. It's a basic credibility issue in essentially a sales position.

    I am not going to be everyones choice, no one is. I have had instructors I like and ones I don't. All I can do is help motivate the people who come. I am more fit then I was months ago and I am going to be continually working on myself even after I take this zumba instructor class. I will never judge someone and their ability just by looking at someone tho, I will take it and if I don't like it then I will goto someone I like, quite simple. I feel sorry for people who judge just by looking at someone, you don't know what they are capable of.
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    I am not going to be everyones choice, no one is. I have had instructors I like and ones I don't. All I can do is help motivate the people who come. I am more fit then I was months ago and I am going to be continually working on myself even after I take this zumba instructor class.

    This is a good attitude.
    I will never judge someone and their ability just by looking at someone tho, I will take it and if I don't like it then I will goto someone I like, quite simple.

    That's entirely your choice.
    I feel sorry for people who judge just by looking at someone, you don't know what they are capable of.

    You're just unhappy that people do this. But the fitness instructor sells fitness. The overweight fitness instructor provides visible doubt as to the efficacy of their program. Decent marketing (e.g. progress pictures perhaps) might be able to counter that.

    There may well be a large market of beginners and overweight people who are looking for the potentially safer / less judgmental environment provided by an overweight instructor. These people would be applying a similar image-based approach to instructor, but in your favor.
  • BadOneEarMonkey
    BadOneEarMonkey Posts: 24
    I am not going to be everyones choice, no one is. I have had instructors I like and ones I don't. All I can do is help motivate the people who come. I am more fit then I was months ago and I am going to be continually working on myself even after I take this zumba instructor class.

    This is a good attitude.
    I will never judge someone and their ability just by looking at someone tho, I will take it and if I don't like it then I will goto someone I like, quite simple.

    That's entirely your choice.
    I feel sorry for people who judge just by looking at someone, you don't know what they are capable of.

    You're just unhappy that people do this. But the fitness instructor sells fitness. The overweight fitness instructor provides visible doubt as to the efficacy of their program. Decent marketing (e.g. progress pictures perhaps) might be able to counter that.

    There may well be a large market of beginners and overweight people who are looking for the potentially safer / less judgmental environment provided by an overweight instructor. These people would be applying a similar image-based approach to instructor, but in your favor.

    Everyone has to start somewhere, yes I find it sad people judge the way they do, I will not always be how I am as i am working on me, but other ppl need to feel they can do it as well and I will have before picture and progress pictures available. I am also writing in a blog on my trainers site during the process. There is a large amount of people who would start fitness activities if they felt more comfortable with someone who knows where they come from, those are always one of the main targets to hit, trying to get people active and getting fit to live healthy. Can you tell I totally support what Jordan is trying to do with reaching out to people!
    Anyways Zumba time!
  • ForABetterMe89
    ForABetterMe89 Posts: 196
    One of my two instructors that I continue to go to is somewhat bigger. She not huge, but not youre typical instructor. I would say she looks very simular to my shape when I started losing weight, I was 173. I'd say go for it. Who cares how big or small you are?
  • Sjenny5891
    Sjenny5891 Posts: 717 Member
    The teacher for the class I go to has to be 100 pounds dripping wet.... This woman can't have an ounce of fat on her....
    Yesterday, we had a sub the first half of the class. She must have been 160 to 200 pounds ( Give her credid she has to be almost 6ft tall) .... She is what the other students called hardcore..... Faster music, faster moves.. it was a harder workout than the other teacher.

    As someone who worked hard to lose what i have, I find it refreshing because it shows anyone can do it.

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