A lousy dancer trying Zumba :-p Any tips?

Give it a go! I have a dancing background, but it had been ages since I danced. Take it slow and don't worry about what you look like, you'll get the hang of it and have a blast quickly!

ok...i don't "do" stuff in front of other people. in my ENTIRE 38 years, i've never been to a "dance". i have danced twice in pubic with my husband for a total of two slow dances.

I LOVE ZUMBA! you get so caught up from the moment the music turns on in doing your best to follow the instructor(s), you literally forget about if anyone is watching, if anyone sees your hips moving, if anyone sees that you don't quite get that step. THEY are all too worried about following too! and when i can't get something down, i just do my own variation as most do.

it is SUCH a blast! it is so empowering! it is great "girl time" too!

please try. just go. go to the front of the class so you focus on the instructor and can see good enough. trust me!

The best thing about Zumba is you get to just laugh at yourself and your best friend if you have made her to join with you. Don't worry if you aren't able to keep up, forget the movements, or look plain silly doing it. You are still doing a great work-out, going to sweat, and having a great time with others. I will say my class actually would do the same dances for 8 weeks straight, so by the time the 3-4th class came alone... you felt much more comfortable doing it. I encourage you to continue and not to worry about how "goofy" you might look because I promise you there is at least one more person in the class looking even funnier!

Lousy dancer here and I really enjoy Zumba. Remember you are not going to be in a room full of professional dancers. Everyone is of various fitness levels and just trying to incorporate a little fun with their exercise. My advice...just have fun. You'll soon figure out NO ONE is watching you--they are concentrating on working out the steps. I felt a little uncoordinated at first but after a few classes could for sure see a difference! Give it a chance and remember to laugh and have fun.

i love to dance, no pro experience though. I am far from being a shy person. 2 days ago I did my first zumba class. I wasnt able to keep up as I didnt know the moves very well, but I was sweating and having fun and thats all that matter. And no one in there is judging as they are all probably feeling the same way you feel. I very much enjoyed it. The time flew by because I was having fun. And once you're in there you're not likely to leave, so it sticks you to an hour of hardcore working out. I talked with the teacher afterwards and she said as your body gets used to moving that way it will be easier. I recommend that everyone try it.


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

Go for it!! I don't particularly like doing things in public, but got the DVD set for home. The basics DVD really helps by showing you how to do most of the moves/steps.

Then you can shake your booty in your living room!!

That said, eventually, I do want to find a class so I can try it live.

Best of luck!!

I'm not a great dancer either, but I love Zumba. Just have fun with it! "Dance like no one's watching" :laugh:

Don't hold back!! It is a great way to meet people and get great exercise! Our instructor is awesome, she makes a point when there are new people in class to say the most important part is that we are moving... even if we are going in the wrong direction! Try it... and who knows? Maybe it will help with coordination? LOL

Have Fun! Zumba is so much fun and can burn a ton of calories. My tip would be to keep moving, if you cant get a move do whatever you can and not get frustrated or stuck on it. As long as you keep moving and have fun the rest will come! From my experience the zumba classes tend to be filled with all levels of experience.

You need to order the DVDs. The Introduction is fairly thorogh, plus you can work at your own pace. I've had them since June and I like them a lot!

I am 31 mother of 2 and i totally love zumba!! ""Used to do Turbo Jam tried it today and was totally lost only had that problem with one art of Zumba that was the African Beats part on Cardioparty!! I get it now though after like 3 or 4 tries!!

Last night my Zumba instructor told us that we are going to try something new. She is having a Glow in the Dark Zumba. Everyone wears glow necklaces and bracelets on their arms and legs and we do zumba in the dark. She says it helps people get into it they're not as worried about people seeing them! She is going to have a trial on Thursday, so I'll let you know how it goes

Might be something to look for in your area or ask an instructor if she'd be willing to try it if you are embarassed to try it in front of others.

hey im 24 and i just started zumba a few weeks ago.. i was really nervous at first bc i had no idea what i was getting my self into!! but i have to tell you that i absolutley LOVE it. i have no clue what the moves are but as long as your moving, you sweat soo much and an hour goes by so fast. in my expierence mostly no one knew all the moves they were just having fun and i was the youngest there.. it was awesome seeing 50+ yr old women dancing to "apple bottom jeans" !!! i hope you give it a try...good luck!

HEY! I dance to that song all the time!!! :grumble:

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

My kids are in their 20's and for some reason their friends have always liked me. Well one day my son comes home with one of his friends............I have my headphones on and am dancing the fool to that song..............singing OUTLOUD.....boots with the furrrrrrrrrr................I turn around and there they are!! OMG thought I would die...........Instead I pulled out the headphones so they could hear the song and danced another round before going off into my room.

That kid laughed for days!!

Life is too short to take oneself too seriously. GO enjoy..........you'll get it eventually. In the meantime you will burn a ton of calories and your waist will look amazing!!