Zumba for big girls

blandwriter
blandwriter Posts: 50 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am contemplating Zumba and looking for insight or recommendations from anyone who has a lot to lose and does Zumba.

I'm currently 5'4" and 321.6 pounds.

If I decide to buy one of the DVDs, where should I start?

Thanks!
«1

Replies

  • TheDoctorDana
    TheDoctorDana Posts: 595 Member
    Bump.... 'cause I would like to know too ;)
  • pamelak5
    pamelak5 Posts: 327 Member
    Is it possible to find a class to go to?

    At my gym, there are lots of overweight people doing zumba and it's a fun group thing. You have some people who are super athletic dancer types laughing and getting along with those of us who are....not. :)
  • kimmie185
    kimmie185 Posts: 550 Member
    Zumba is great because it can be for anyone, of all ages and sizes. My main exercise for many years was Zumba.

    The DVD sets have like 5 or six discs in there. If you are new to it do the intro disc first so you can get a feel for the steps and rhythm of the dance before going to the harder dvd's.
    The games for the Wii and Xbox are a pretty good place to start too. The games break down the songs by difficulty so you can pick and choose which dance you want to do and feel comfortable with.

    Good luck to you!
  • kimmie185
    kimmie185 Posts: 550 Member
    I recommend this product to get started.

    http://www.zumba.com/en-US/store/US/product/zumba-exhilarate-dvd
  • Doing_me
    Doing_me Posts: 91 Member
    I am a Zumba Instructor and I have a lot of students that have a lot to loose. Check out some of the youtube videos first and see how you like it and then maybe try a class? Classes are always so much more fun than dvds at home! :)
  • mamosh81
    mamosh81 Posts: 409 Member
    i started zumba when i was over 300 lbs just pop it in and try to follow it you can modify the moves that are to hard at the moment as long as you keep moving it counts =)
  • jsbieniek
    jsbieniek Posts: 76 Member
    The DVD's are good but there is no replacement for a class if you can get to one. It is more motivating and I find that my DVD's just sit there because I'm always going to do it "later"! There are several girls in my class that are heavier (and many that are more coordinated than me! LOL). You set your own impact level by how much you put in to it. Maybe also think about checking a Gold class, it is designed for lower impact. But be careful, it is certainly addictive ! :)
  • CindyRip
    CindyRip Posts: 166 Member
    Don't know what DVD for you to start with, but if you have not tried it here is an online site for you to try out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=schNu5ylfwc
  • alawilliams
    alawilliams Posts: 20
    Zumba Is for ANYONE!!!! I have been taking it for 4 years now and am very addicted to it. Best thing about Zumba is you can really work hard or you can take a moderate pace. Either way you are burning calories!!! Find a class... although the DVD and games are good, it can't replace the feeling of an actual class.
  • missyj1115
    missyj1115 Posts: 1,220 Member
    I recommend this product to get started.

    http://www.zumba.com/en-US/store/US/product/zumba-exhilarate-dvd



    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • pleasehealthme
    pleasehealthme Posts: 43
    So, when I started Zumba I just downloaded a bunch of different videos, kinda watched through them to see what I was most into and went from there! There are a lot of videos on youtube too that will get your heart pumping. It's good for shopping around to see what's out there for you to buy. Just some advice :) I know a kid who lost 100 lbs doing only zumba for exercise. It was very encouraging. Good luck!
  • ShellStar13
    ShellStar13 Posts: 9
    YouTube has some great videos that actually have "Plus size" instructors. I started with that...I felt more comfrotable looking at someone my size - if they could do it, so could I. Here is a link to one that I started with...you can do a search from there. I made a playlist of about 40 minutes of different videos I found on YouTube.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i7e5cRlaaI&sns=em

    :smile:
  • luceegj
    luceegj Posts: 246 Member
    To be honest I would got for aerobic! Its not the healthest thing USLESS you have been taught dance! Beacuse the moves use a lot the things that need correct placement of the hip and ankle! Even the fittest can hurt themself! I love aerobics it high energy but simple movements!!! Maybe try a few DVDs cheap or classes see what you like! :D
  • Raynne413
    Raynne413 Posts: 1,527 Member
    I am contemplating Zumba and looking for insight or recommendations from anyone who has a lot to lose and does Zumba.

    I'm currently 5'4" and 321.6 pounds.

    If I decide to buy one of the DVDs, where should I start?

    Thanks!

    I'd just try searching YouTube for Zumba clips. I've mad numerous playlists, and then just put it on shuffle when I want to workout. I just go until I'm tired. It's generally easy to modify to make things lower impact. Free AND fun! I like it because it's non repetitive the way a DVD would be.
  • blandwriter
    blandwriter Posts: 50 Member
    I love her!
  • ParrosFan
    ParrosFan Posts: 77 Member
    As a big gal myself, I definitely recommend a Zumba class. I have the DVDs and never once used them. I find I do so much better in class and being with people. and once I got over my stinkin thinkin (oh there's the fat girl what is SHE doing here) I had a blast. Everyone has such a good time. My instructor says the only rule in her class is that there are none. She says always go back to marching in place if you need to slow down.

    When I first started there were things I just could not keep up with and would stop and march, last week I was able to complete one of the songs that always messed me up.

    Best wishes, just have fun
  • HMD7703
    HMD7703 Posts: 761 Member
    I did the DVD's but prefer the class. I didn't give up in the class. The other people motivate you to keep going. Even if you need to step back and sip some water or just breathe.... it beats being able to stop the DVD, sit on the couch and not get back up (Yeah, been there).
  • LovinDaNewLiz14
    LovinDaNewLiz14 Posts: 217 Member
    I did and still do from time to time...I was 5"10 and 280.6 pounds...just do it at your own pace, and do not let it imitate you, you got this:) It is soooooo fun, tone your body, you will drop weight and loose tons of weight:)
  • Frank_Just_Frank
    Frank_Just_Frank Posts: 454 Member
    My wife is a Zumba instructor who had a client with your profile. The woman took a chair and placed it next to her so she could easily switch between rests and exercise. She lost a lot of weight since and as I recall, everyone was really supportive with her.
  • kld4239
    kld4239 Posts: 186 Member
    DVD's are good but I find that going to class makes for a better workout. I don't know if it's the energy of all the other people around me or the additional motivation of a live instructor or what. Just remember that you don't have to have any rhythm or dance skills to burn calories. I am living proof of this. Just remember to double-up on the sports bra as not to injure yourself and have fun with it!
  • Dianescraps
    Dianescraps Posts: 84
    I started taking a Zumba class at about 360 pounds. I just did as much as a could, really didn't have a problem with it. There were people of all sizes taking the class.
  • Filmval
    Filmval Posts: 2 Member
    Hi there! I absolutely love Zumba!!! I have a few of the "Zumba Fitness" DVDs that I can do from home - which totally works for me! When I was starting it, I was very self-conscious and I didn't want to go to a gym and take the class in fear that if I had to stop half way through I would be embarrassed! From the comfort of my own home, I could go at my own pace and stop if needed.

    I started doing Zumba about 7 months ago (prior to that I was doing Dance-Dance-Revolution!), and I was much heavier than I am now. But, let me tell you, I have lost a lot of weight from doing Zumba!!

    I have the "Complete Total Body Transformation System" DVD set, which has 4 different programs, so you can rotate the program you are doing!

    Best thing I ever did was get into Zumba, and I totally recommend getting into it. It is fun and beneficial!!!
    Good luck to you!!!
  • ladyluch99
    ladyluch99 Posts: 264 Member
    Zumba is the best. I personally would recommend going to the classes rather than DVD's. I started off doing Zumba for Wii and when I switched to live classes, it was the best thing and I fell in love. I do Zumba classes several times a week. Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best!
  • maisid
    maisid Posts: 69 Member
    As many others on here have already said, Zumba is for anyone. In our class we have big girls who have 70 lbs and more to lose like me, and we have the skinny tiny ones. How much you get out of it depends on your effort, are you moving in a moderate pace and just going from one side to the other? Or are you actually jumping the steps? The better you get the more effort you can put into it. I starting taking it slow and steady, but after half a year I am jumping the steps, which result in a great calorie burnage and an amazing workout. Just try it out, but give it a few weeks to get into the steps and the pace. I bet you will love it :D
  • flexdirectcpr
    flexdirectcpr Posts: 103 Member
    The 20 minute basic workout is a great start. It is included in the Zumba set. Watch the instructional parts a few times and get moving. I was not able to finish the 20 minute basic completely when I first started. But it did not take long to build my time and get the moves down. It does not matter if you do the moves just like the dancers on the DVD. Just keep moving. Nothing shrinks my waist like Zumba does. Good luck to you!
  • ChasingKatie
    ChasingKatie Posts: 331 Member
    I started Zumba when i was 350+. I started with the game on Wii, and I hated it. Once I took an actual class I loved it. Now I can play on the Wii again because I get what is going on, and all the moves. A lot of the songs/moves are the exact same from the classes.
  • chellec23
    chellec23 Posts: 147 Member
    I'm 5'4" and right now weigh 277. I went to the free Zumba class at the local library one time last year and nearly killed myself lol I absolutely loved it but it was really tough. Start slow, whatever you do!!!
  • amammaa4
    amammaa4 Posts: 176 Member
    When I use to go to zumba there was a man in class who was over 350 lbs. He did what he could and over time could do so much more, as with any exercise. I say go for it! You will love it!
  • Laneybug081012
    Laneybug081012 Posts: 22
    I did Zumba once and it was a blast...at the time I was around 320lbs...I actually took a class at my local gym and was TERRIFIED of going in there and making a fool of myself in front of all these women in much better shape than I...however it wasn't like that at all the energy was great and by the end of it I wasn't worried about being this big girl doing zumba. It was a great workout...I sweat like a beast and felt so much energy afterwards....I've been wanting to get back to it its definitely something fun that can burn a lot of calories! just dont take it too seriously and have fun with it, who cares if you dont do the moves EXACTLY like they do any movement like that is going to help!
  • sugaree1202
    sugaree1202 Posts: 184 Member
    If you have a gaming system, Zumba Fitness and Zumba Core are pretty awesome. I personally like the music, routines and format of Zumba Core better - you can track your calories burned, progress, etc and create custom classes from your favorite routines. I lost serious inches doing Zumba a few years ago - it's a great way to start exercising because I was able to increase the amount of energy I put into the classes as my fitness level increased.

Categories