Feeling VERY intimidated by Zumba

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Replies

  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    When I went to my first (and second, and third...) Zumba class the instructor put a huge emphasis on movement. She had some complicated steps that some of us were nowhere close to getting. She told us all to keep moving as best as we could, the point was to move, not to have the best tango.

    It worked too. I was sweating up a storm and having a great time!

    Yes, one of my Hip Hop instructor's mottos was, "if you're moving, you're doing it right!"
  • FerretBuellerr
    FerretBuellerr Posts: 468 Member
    Honestly, you're worrying for nothing :flowerforyou:

    I started Zumba at the end of July when I started using MFP and was nervous the first day because I had no idea what I was getting into, and I'm not the best at choreography (it's taken me until this week to feel like I can do most of the steps in order).

    Once I was there one day, my attitude changed. Where I go it is all women, mostly ranging from their early 40s to potentially early 60s (I'm in my early 20s, FYI), all with different activitly levels, so some are faster and more intense than others, while others hang in the back and modify their steps to make it a little easier. From watching everyone, I can tell that most of them (myself included) cannot dance without looking like the whitest white people on the planet LOL.

    I find it really amusing to watch "old ladies" swing their hips around like teenagers, and I know that if they are doing it, I can do it too and won't be judged at all.

    I hope you'll get into it like the rest of us here have! :smile:
  • Fullsterkur_woman
    Fullsterkur_woman Posts: 2,712 Member
    From watching everyone, I can tell that most of them (myself included) cannot dance without looking like the whitest white people on the planet LOL.
    Once you get that ab crunch/pelvic thrust move down, it's all downhill from there! And while you're working on learning that, you can just do the "chicken dance" instead.

    <--- Looks pretty much like Elaine Benes (if she were fat and didn't care about hair, clothes, jewelry or makeup) when doing Zumba
  • sueclare38
    sueclare38 Posts: 125
    You don't need to be able to dance, it's not really dancing, it's more like high impact aerobics with a few dance moves thrown in, but easy stuff to pick up.
  • bbzgrl110
    bbzgrl110 Posts: 45 Member
    Thanks everyone, I am feeling better about it and just going to go in and enjoy the new experience. I have a couple of co-workers I have talked into joining so we'll be completely awkward together :wink:
  • clarebailey355
    clarebailey355 Posts: 113 Member
    I've only been to a few classes but really enjoyed them - the group was really big and the vast majority of people were out of time or going in the wrong direction, I think the only person who was doing it right was the instructor! The friend I was with narrowly avoided hitting me at one point because she was throwing out the wrong hand!

    It didn't matter though because everyone was enjoying themselves and having a laugh. As long as you're moving, it doesn't matter if you're 'doing it right' at all. Just enjoy it!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    oh, go have fun.
    drink some whiskey before you go
    and let loose.
    just keep your clothes on.
  • jen4relient22
    jen4relient22 Posts: 46
    the first zumba class i went to, i left feeling so sad LOL. i couldn't do any of the moves right (even though i used to dance!), and just felt like a fish out of water.

    then, i started going to different classes with different instructors and found a couple that i really really love. challenging classes, but not all about shaking your hips and shimmying. ;)

    also, let me just say that even now that i know the dances and try to do them confidently, i still feel really silly a lot of the time. but that's part of the fun! and i've never laughed at anyone or looked down at someone for not being a great dancer- i'm usually excited to see new people in class because it's fun dancing with more people!

    so keep going, OP! once you get the hang of the basic steps, it really is so fun.
  • Isakizza
    Isakizza Posts: 754 Member
    I was intimidated by EVERYTHING in the gym at first.

    Just do it.... you'll struggle with steps and might not keep up the entire time.
    But really who cares, it's so fun and a nice little cardio workout.

    Before you know it you'll know the routines by heart and might even get tired of them, and asking for new ones.
    Have a blast!
    :happy:

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  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    LOL I felt the same way. I am a terrible dancer. But oh how I love Zumba. I really don't think I would have got back into the habit of regular exercise without it. It is so much fun. I predict you will love it.
  • WinwillLose
    WinwillLose Posts: 101
    I love zumba. I was so stressed before my first class. Just realize Zumba is meant to be fun, and keep moving. Don't worry about shaking your hips or shoulders. The first few classes maybe just focus on the foot work. Might help if you do a few routines at home just to get some basic steps down. The first few classes might not be great cardio, because you need to learn some basic steps before you get your heart rate up to a cardio level, but after 3 classes you will feel more comfortable.

    There will be Zumba regulars there who never miss a step and know every song, but they took a first class too once. So give yourself a chance to do something new!! I zumba on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings at my local rec center the instructor is great, and its so much fun.

    Try to keep yourself in a position in the class that you can see the instructors feet clearly, or find a person who is a regular to work out behind so you have a good sight line to someones feet...get the feet down before you worry about moving your arms.

    There is a cutest older lady who takes the class on Saturday morning, always in the back and moving to her own beat.
    I'd say she is 65 or so, she smiles during the whole class and doesn't try to keep up or worry over how she looks...the lady has fun. I love seeing her in class, it makes my heart happy and she reminds me to do what makes me happy and not to worry what others think or see.

    Go for it girl!
  • xxtaliaxx
    xxtaliaxx Posts: 123
    Don't be intimidated. The purpose of the class is to get you constantly moving and have a good time doing it. It doesn't matter what you look like when you do it, as long as you are getting a good workout and having fun doing it. That's why I go.
  • slim4health56
    slim4health56 Posts: 439 Member
    Two left feet here! BUT, I still feel the music and it's fun. If you're worried about what others think, you'll get over it. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm nuts because I listen to sambas when I do yard work. They can't hear the music thanks to the ear buds, and I can't hear them laugh while I mow the lawn or trim the rose bushes doing a little Latin foot and hip work! Enjoy and to heck with it.
  • llbennett74
    llbennett74 Posts: 132 Member
    Our motto in the class I attend is keep moving and have fun. Nobody cares what you are doing or if you are doing the right moves. Our particular group is so diverse and we have the best time. Give it a try and don't be intimidated.
  • WhitneySheree88
    WhitneySheree88 Posts: 222 Member
    Tried Zumba, at home thank goodness, and fumbled around like a total fool but I loooved it!! I did get very frustrated with it at first because I couldn't seem to get any of the moves right but all good things come with patience and practice. I got a little better and then stopped so I could start running lol
  • ScarletFyre
    ScarletFyre Posts: 754 Member
    My first Zumba class, I felt totally out of my element...and every once in a while I look around and remember that I totally suck at it...LOL (I have been doing it about a year now). There are girls who are great at it and really make me remember how bad at it I am (not their attitudes, just by how good they are) and then there are other girls who aren't that great like me. Have you tried a class yet?

    If no: you will likely see a mix - people who it's very natural for and people it is not so natural for,

    if yes: the more you do it, you'll feel more comfortable - I did. I love it and i still KNOW that i am not great or anything.

    I have even gotten on stage with the trainer haha. For ME that is HUGE since i prefer to hide in the back. I find that during Zumba one is too busy focusing on what they are doing to worry about those around them (other than making sure you don't bump into the girl next you :bigsmile: ) And I have never found anything but either encouragement or just "you do your thing and i'll do mine". If you are moving and having fun, and not getting hurt you are doing what you are supposed to do! :smile:
  • slim4health56
    slim4health56 Posts: 439 Member

    I find it really amusing to watch "old ladies" swing their hips around like teenagers, and I know that if they are doing it, I can do it too and won't be judged at all.

    I find it really amusing that teenagers think hip movements are reserved for only the young! :flowerforyou:
  • hhill83
    hhill83 Posts: 22 Member
    After 3 months of doing Zumba I can honestly say 90% of people in my class have no rhythm at all :-) and I am often one of them! I was really intimidated by the idea and still hold back on a few 'posy' moves but it is great fun and a great workout! Hope you enjoy It x
  • miatavixxen
    miatavixxen Posts: 373
    As a Zumba instructor, first of all, my favorite saying is: "There are no screwups with Zumba, only unexpected solos."

    It truly is just about enjoying the music, the energy of the group and moving! There are all shapes and sizes and movement styles. I would say, if you try a class and you feel you can't follow the instructor, try another one. Each instructor, though the structure is the same, has a slightly different style. I have a class on Tuesdays that I share with another instructor, she is more hip hop and her stuff is more complicated, mine is much easier to follow and more latin feeling.

    The key to working out is finding a workout you can enjoy. If you really truly hate your workout it is VERY hard to stick with it.

    It is not about trying to teach you a perfect Salsa, Samba, Merengue, Reggaeton, etc... It about teaching you to love your workout and to love the changes your body can have through movement by loving the music and the rhythms.
  • bbzgrl110
    bbzgrl110 Posts: 45 Member
    I went to my first Zumba class, and I had a blast, it was so much fun.
    I probably looked like I was having a seizure, but so did half the other women in there.
    The best part was it didn't feel like I was exercizing, it just felt like having fun!!
  • michelefrench
    michelefrench Posts: 814 Member
    I went to my first Zumba class, and I had a blast, it was so much fun.
    I probably looked like I was having a seizure, but so did half the other women in there.
    The best part was it didn't feel like I was exercizing, it just felt like having fun!!

    yaay for you!! for trying it most of all - liking it's great too!!! but kudos for taking a chance!!!
  • michelefrench
    michelefrench Posts: 814 Member
    If it makes you feel better we laugh equally at all the zumba dancers and not just the ones that cant dance when they hold their workouts at our gym.

    hmmm...at my gym the MMA fighters have been known to stop their workouts...and join us :bigsmile:
  • mcjmommy
    mcjmommy Posts: 148 Member
    So proud of you for trying it! I have NO rhythm and I'm a big chicken :) I can't do aerobics either ... you're my hero!

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