Zumba for out of shape people?

I agree with ChrisK. I was right at 205lbs when I began zumba and have lost 45lbs in seven months. I have my calories set to lose only one pound a week, but have lost more. If you can't do a particular step, just keep moving or march in place. It is very, very addictive. I go to class 2-3 times weekly and do the dvds at home 1-2 times weekly. I was at a zumbathon last weekend and I saw 400lbs+ men and women dancing their hearts out and enjoying every second.

It can be suitable for anyone of any age, etc.
I ordered zumba 2 for the wii and it arrived today, tried it out and I couldn't keep up at all.. the fact I have two left made it worse but it definately worked something lol. I managed to pick up some of the moves.. eventually lol.
You will pick it up, practice makes perfect right lol:)

zumba is a great way to start exercising... you push yourself to a level you feel comfortable with.
its a fun way to exercise...in fact, it doesn't even feel like exercise!
on my first class i felt so self-concious, was worried about getting the moves wrong... not being able to keep up.. but everyone is too busy concentrating on their own moves to worry about yours! Just keep your body moving and enjoy it!! I love it!!

I think there's also a lower-intensity class called Zumba Gold.

I just wrote a blog post about this a few hours ago. Definitely check it out. It is what you make it! People in Zumba class really range from very very overweight to very fit. And you do not have to be a good dancer to do Zumba either. Try it!!! I've been doing it for 6 months and have lost 35 lbs. Love it.

I went to my first Zumba class last night and I have to tell you it was a BLAST! I'm just about 51 years old and I've been working out 2-3 hours a week seriously since January. However, I am by no means in shape (but I'm getting there!) It was an hour class and we really just had to follow the instructor. There's alot of repitition in each dance/song so it was hard at first, but alot of the moves are the same. When the hour was over, I was soaking wet like I took a shower but felt so terrific! I was aprehensive like you are (my husband calls me Elaine when I dance) but am so glad I did this. I heard what Sheri Sheppard said this week after being kicked off dancing with the stars and it made an impact on me, she said "run to whatever scares you the most, the thing you think you can't do, you may surprise yourself."

Go for it!!!

Like a few others of you, I have a harder time in classes because I feel intimidated by everyone else. Although I can do most of the steps, I find I push myself too hard in classes and it becomes counter-productive. Maybe not the right instructor for me? But I love doing the Zumba (and other) DVD. I also have the wii version and it has different levels. Beginner kicks my butt! It is fun, fun, fun!

The thing about Zumba is that YOU make it what you need it to be. You raise or lower the intensity to what you can handle. If you have a good instructor they will tell you that. I started ZUMBA 4 weeks ago and am addicted! I go at least 4x week cuz it is so much fun! Do I always get the steps right? Not hardly! Can I always keep up? Rarely! But I am getting better. We have some very large people in our class, and some very small people, and lots of in-between. Give it a try and don't be self-conscious. The first class will be hard, but don't give up! It is so much fun!

Exactly what she said!!!!!! Go try it out, take a friend with you, laugh & have fun!

I have no rhythm whatsoever and would be way too embarrassed to ever attend a Zumba class (or any other dance-type class lol), but I wanted to try it because my cousin is always raving about it so I bought Zumba Fitness for the Wii and I'm hooked! It has different lengths and levels of classes as well as a tutorial so you can work your way up from beginner to expert.

I have recently gotten into Zumba as well. I have to say it is completely addictive! I have been to probably five or six classes in as many weeks and it is amazing. There is a very wide range of ages as well as sizes there. There was an eight year old at class last night dancing right next to a fifty year old. It was great. My first class I went to - I was nervous of course. There were probably 25 people there and I'm thinking - I will look so stupid! But I gave it a try and the hour FLEW by! I had a blast and laughed and smiled the whole time. I butchered most of the steps at first but the instructors are great there. As they tell us - "There are NO rules!" And if you can't get a step right - make up your own! (Which I frequently do! - Even doing the hula in one class to my friend's amusement). They are also really great about making sure you know that if you cannot physically do a move then to modify it so it works for you; even going as far as to show lower impact moves. I look forward to class every week - I know I am walking into a place where the music will be blaring, we will be sweating and EVERYONE will be having a great time! Who says exercise can't be fun? I would recommend Zumba to anybody! I have even taken my eleven year old daughter to a class.

Zumba is very addictive and for anybody of any size. its easy to make it work for you. plus its so much fun, you will forget your working out

I am a Zumba teacher. I can not say this for all teachers, but for my class, I design it in a way that my skinny 20 year old girls, my obese girls, my older women can all get a good workout.

So, at first, you will be lost. But do not worry...all of us were lost the first few times. Then as you get more comfortable with the moves, you will get a better workout. You will feel more comfortable shaking your hips, shaking your shoulders, popping your butt....you will get a better workout with each class that you attend. Warning though, the first class that I ever took, my face got so red!! I had no clue that my face could turn that color!! haha!

But, I have all size girls in my class. And do think think because your are out of shape or big that you can get it....my big women are so awesome, and their butts look so good dancing. I really love watching them have a great time and getting a good workout!

One more thing. Not all of us dance the same, so do not compare yourself to the other girls or the teacher. Dance your style!!

One of my closest friends is a Zumba instructor, he says there are people of every size and fitness level that do it. I haven't tried it yet, but I hear he does a great job.

There was an eight year old at class last night dancing right next to a fifty year old. It was great.

This was my class last week. The 8 year old was our instructor's granddaughter....yes, my instructor is a GRANDMOTHER!!!! And she's got the moves let me tell you!