Exercise Classes - I Need Advice!

You do not have to be a great dancer to do Zumba. In fact, most of the work out in Zumba comes from intense aerobic moves and various lunges. It's a great way to burn calories and I'm sure that you'll find many different fitness levels in whatever class you join. GREAT cardio work out.

That being said, a weight lifting class will help you build lean muscle mass---which burns calories even when you're not working out. Spin is great cardio, but it takes a while to get used to the butt hurt. Step classes and Pilates are great, too.

Spin really is a good start. You don't have to be cordinated and you only work as hard as you make yourself. No one determines the resistance or can even see what you are doing, unless you clearly are letting the bike do all the work for you. The bike can be uncomfortable the first few days, but you really do get used to it And no one really pays attention to anyone else. There isn't anything to watch, all we do is peddle.
A weight lifting class is another one that doesn't required to much coordination to start.
Then when you get more confident you can walk into the dance, step or yoga classes without being self concious!

I teach an interval based class that is self-paced--everyone works for the same amount of time and each person does as much as they can. I'm sure there's something similar in your area. Also, if you'll go watch some Zumba classes at different places, you will find that some of them have athletic types and some have haven't-been-off-the-couch-in-a-while types. Look for a group that includes a lot of people at your fitness level -- more likely than not, the instructor will have tailored the class to match the group.

I will second the spinning class. You're least likely to "make a fool of yourself" in a class where all you have to dfo is pedel a bike. Personally I take yoga/pilates (although not cardio..it DEFINATELY helps build stregnth and flexibility)..spinning, weight lifting classes, body combat, step classes ad something called sh'bam which is like zhumba on steroids..lol!
Group exercise is a great way to help keep you motivated and it's a lot of fun..i would maybe watch a class first..see what it's all about..then dive right into which ever one you feel the most comfortable.
Good luck! Hope you find something!

I used to be like that at the gym-I would never go because I was POSITIVE people were looking at me like "who's the unfashionable fat loser sweating all over the machine?" Then I just sucked it up and realized that most people don't care. And if they do care, well...I don't.

However, I am a big ole klutz. I once did a step class and took out 3 people. (I swear, I didn't AIM for the pretty ones with no sweat and unmussed hair.) I realized classes aren't for me. Nope, machines and weights that don't move are my best friends now. I can coordinate up...down...repeat quite well.

I started going to less action classes to get myself into it, I started going to yoga and pilates to get used to being around others wanting to keep fit. I then did a spin class, then b/l/t, boxfit, yoga for stregth, and now I go to any classes available, body pump etc, I think its just getting over the initial worry about classes and then you'l be fine

Goodluck :happy:

haha I am the same way! I always get scared/nervous about trying a new class because I am always so intimidated. Spinning is a great one to start with! Like someone mentioned above, you go at your own pace, you're on your own bike so no one will really be watching you. It's a pretty intense workout. I would start there and then move on to other classes!

I like sculpt classes. They build leaner muscle and the cardio isn't usually too strenuous. They can at least prep you for the higher velocity classes like zumba and what not. The instructors are usually really good about modifying movements if you're stuggling. And spin class is good too because you really determine your own pace and resistance.

I have come to love zumba. I was TERRIFIED of taking it the first time and actually forced my daughter to go into the class with me so that I wouldn't be alone. First of all everyone there was really, really nice. Second - lots of people couldn't (and still can't) do the moves correctly. Third - it's a ton of fun and a great calorie burn.

Now, I will say the instructor makes all the difference. My favorite instructor is a woman who over the last 2 years has lost 80 pounds and still has a few to lose so she totally understands people like me and how hard it can be. She is so encouraging! There is this cute little thing that teaches on Saturday mornings though and I hate her. Not because she's cute and thin but because she doesn't get how hard it is for some people and doesn't "teach" the class. She refuses to wear the microphone and she often jumps down off the stage to dance with her friends leaving the rest of us to try and figure out what we're supposed to do. I won't go to her classes anymore, not worth the frustration. So try it and try it with a couple different instructors.

Another awesome class to take is Body Pump. This is a weight lifting class that works your entire body. Start with low weights because I promise you that you will be sore the next day! You will lose inches almost immediately with this class.

I'm still trying to get up the nerve to try a spinning class. They just look so intense that they scare me!