Too big to Zumba?

I started at 290 doing zumba. and i burn about 900-1100 calories in a hour. get out there, enjoy yourself. I prefer the class instead of the video. The energy keeps me going!

Do you use a Heart Rate monitor to tell cals burned? Or how do you REALLY know. I'm just getting started, barely can make it thru the instructional video.

That's the only way really know for sure, is to use a heart rate monitor.

I just went to my second Zumba class yesterday. The class ran the gamut from a few skinny teenage girls to a LOT of middle-aged women with some weight to lose to a few people who were very overweight. From what I could see (not that I had a lot of time to study anyone else), at least half of us were at least somewhat awkward. The funniest part is when the teacher yells "pump it". I still don't know exactly what that's supposed to look like, because I was in the back and couldn't always see her well. But I saw infinite variations. :-) I recommend you get there early enough to introduce yourself to the teacher and another student or two. Let the teacher know you'd be interested in ideas for modifying difficult steps. But of course Zumba is much more about just moving your body and keeping your heart rate up than it is mastering the choreography. So just have fun! I had fun and plan to keep going weekly. Trying to keep up with the choreography distracts my brain from how hard I am exercising, so I can burn calories.

I've seen all sizes, shapes, ages at Zumba. I''m not overweight anymore, but that doesn't automatically mean I can dance. I can't do the body roll, I seriously don't even try

The burn can vary so much, based on your stats and your effort. I've managed to get to my normal weight range (although would still like to lose a bit) and I'm pretty fit (I exercise a lot and have for several years now). I don't get anywhere NEAR the burn that you hear people say. My high was 535 (per my Polar FT4) but I'm usually content if I get over 400. I was only in the 300s (for an hour) for many Zumba workouts. I do think as you get more familiar with the steps and such, you can put more effort into it and get a bigger return.

I Zumba almost every day now ... I only started a few months ago (January 2014) but got addicted pretty quick. I keep track of all my numbers and stats and post them to my Facebook after each workout. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1416235018633723.1073741841.100007417148882&type=1&l=405a1022cb

I still can't do the movement, I just don't have the rhythm. I feel like a piece of big card board most the time. But who cares? I like the music, I enjoy Zumba because it's a fun class and it gets me moving. Try to enjoy it :-)

I just did my second Zumba class yesterday, and half the time I wasn't even doing the arm movements, I was too busy concentrating on doing the footwork right! Eventually I'll get it together, I'm sure. It was still a good workout.

Nobody is too big to Zumba. I loved it when I did it up north. I was about your size when I did and so was a lot of the other girls. Its so fun. I wish I could find a place around here.

I did Zumba nearly 300lbs. Keep going.

I started Zumba at 260! Within the first six months of doing it only twice a week, I lost 50+ pounds. A few tips of advice about Zumba...

1. Find a class that works for you! They are all different and cater to different crowds. I've had to switch a few instructors to find the one that fitted my fitness level at that time.

2. No one cares what you wiggle! I've never been in Zumba and said "damn, that girl doesn't know what she's doing." The rest of the women there are exactly the same. We are too busy worrying about what we are doing!

3. Zumba changed my life. It brought me out of my comfort zone and really shaped me (mentally and physically) into who I am today. I don't know where I would be without that first step into that Gym! The results from Zumba will always out weigh the negative things you think are happening.

4. Zumba is WAY more fun in a large group!

Girl if you can do an hour of Zumba non stop- you got this in the bag!!! I tried 10 minutes and I had to quit! I have no rhythm but in the privacy and secrecy of my room I think I'm Shakira!! No you are not too big- you are too fabulous -too wonderful and too fantastic. Period.

I started Zumba every now and then as fun at 214 lbs. I've lost weight since then and still feel like I look a big goofball doing it and I do it 2-3 times a week now as regular exercise. I do it in the privacy of my home and feel as long as you keep on moving ( i salsa if I can't get my body to do a move they are doing) your doing something! I won't ever go to a class I'm too clumsy and would probably knock half the class down. Just keep on moving! Also I think Zumba.com may have a gage to tell you how many calories your burning.

Some of the worst "dancers" in my old Zumba class were under 100 lbs. I love it but my feet can't handle it anymore.

I started doing Zumba when I was about 203 (22%BF), now I'm about 174 (5.5%BF). It's a lot of fun and very few guys go, which is great as the women don't mind how goofy I look.

Highly recommend it. The social aspect is awesome, these ladies really look out for each other and in no time, you will have 20 or more new friends.