Zumba HELP!!

AlanasMommy2011
AlanasMommy2011 Posts: 19
in Health and Weight Loss
So I am white... really white and with that brings me too my question and compliant. I have tried zumba and can't do the moves for nothing even though I know it is a great workout, I just don't possess the skills for it. Does anyone know of a low skill workout like this with the same results???
«1

Replies

  • hutchy100
    hutchy100 Posts: 103 Member
    Yes you could do any work out, classes at the gym are fun and every level of fitness goes to them
  • Reni421
    Reni421 Posts: 35 Member
    keep at it if you enjoy it - after a while you get the hang of it - until then, you will feel veeerrrrryyyyy uncoordinated, but I swear eventually you will get it!! I love it!
  • Kerri_is_so_very
    Kerri_is_so_very Posts: 999 Member
    How long have you been doing it? And sorry, there are all kinds in my class (of varying color) and everyone is moving, some with the instructor and some I'm really not sure who or what they are following...but they are there and they are moving. I don't think it really matters if you can nail the timing, steps etc. Keep at it and I'm sure you will improve. Maybe try some dvds at home until you have practiced up some? (Sorry, I'm assuming you are taking a class)
  • thechubner
    thechubner Posts: 94 Member
    I love zumba - I'm in the same boat as you. I am afllicted with "gringo hips" and just can't wiggle that way. That being said I still love zumba and don't care that I look like a wounded baby buffalo clunking around :)

    Just have fun. Pretend like you're at a wedding reception (w/o the booze) enjoy yourself and get your heart rate up.
  • Jewelz2c
    Jewelz2c Posts: 7
    LOL I agree with wmass1971... It is hard I am into cardio boxing and areboic stuff and I love zumba even if I do not do the steps right it is all about moving and having fun while burning fat.. stick with it and never give up on your self.
  • KristysLosing
    KristysLosing Posts: 683
    I LOVE Zumba! I do it with my XBox/Kinnect. I also feel like a fish flopping around. lol I enjoy it though. I feel like I'm getting a little better, but some of the moves do feel unnatural. I blame it on my weight, though. Part of me thinks that under all this extra padding, my skinny body looks awesome making those moves. I may be wrong, but I can hope! I'm sure even the people who started out doing it who seems like they should be looked and felt like us for a while. :laugh:
  • KristysLosing
    KristysLosing Posts: 683
    don't care that I look like a wounded baby buffalo clunking around :)

    I love this!! lol :laugh:
  • AlanasMommy2011
    AlanasMommy2011 Posts: 19
    Thanks guys!! I guess I have the gringo hip gene also.. I will just continue to have fun with it I guess if I look like a whale out of water I am still burning calories =) Thanks glad to know im not the only onee!!
  • ArtGeek22
    ArtGeek22 Posts: 1,429 Member
    I took me a long time to get the move but once I got them Zumba got even better. Zumba also has a new class called "Zumba Gold" for beginners and older people.




    P.S What is your fav. Zumba song? (I love "drop it low" :blushing:)
  • LadyRush
    LadyRush Posts: 95 Member
    Keep with it and don't give up! I learned how to belly dance and I started out with the same issue! And now I perform! (not professionally of course!) I turn the wrong way, shake it the opposite way or man what did I do...but it's fun and for you! It'll come!:wink:

    17103848.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter
  • phillips529
    phillips529 Posts: 194 Member
    Girl...white has nothing to do with it. I'm in the same boat as you. Another MFP was doing it with great success so I thought I would give it a try. I don't have an ounce of rhythm to save my life for a black sista...shameful. But let me tell you...don't give up...it gets better. Once I figured out to loosen my lower part of my body it's all beginning to fall in place. Don't give up...it really gives a good workout....especially the abs.
  • leesee88
    leesee88 Posts: 54 Member
    I hated Zumba at first for the same reason.

    I now spend the majority of the time in Zumba class hopping around in the back, trying to look as though i know what i am doing.
    i am really just trying to keep my heart rate up while watching everyone else until I can somewhat imitate the moves.

    I prefer other aerobic workouts since the confusion I experience in Zumba causes me to burn less calories, but it is fun and good way to change up your workouts.
  • AlanasMommy2011
    AlanasMommy2011 Posts: 19
    I love party rock anthem lol
  • juicemoogan
    juicemoogan Posts: 994 Member
    All that matters is that you are continuously moving your body.. it doesn't matter if you look like j-lo in a music video.. just that you keep on moving.

    Practice makes perfect!
  • krystico
    krystico Posts: 104
    OMG. I'm right there with ya! I have ZERO RHYTHM - but, I took a Zumba class and I loved it! I did the moves as best as I could. Yes - I looked around and checked out everybody else's "moves" - they looked as goofy as I felt! So, my advice - Zumba your *kitten* off and have a good time!
  • snuggiesnugg
    snuggiesnugg Posts: 6
    LOL. Don't worry if you don't move like the instructor. Stand behind someone that looks like they know what their doing and try to mimick their body. That may help u a little. If you want something different try water aerobics. It is a low impact workout but you really feel it after. Keep moving and have fun!!
  • AlanasMommy2011
    AlanasMommy2011 Posts: 19
    @phillips lol glad to know that your in it with me!! Lol I feel so uncoordinated it is so funny to watch myself try to do it in that big mirror behind my instructor I think I am working out harder trying to keep from falling over and laughing at myself!!
  • mrsmel55
    mrsmel55 Posts: 168
    I would die of embarrasment if anyone would see me in my underwear at 6 in the morning doing Zumba with the Wii. But I do it... And I am 55 and cannot keep up (even on low intensity) except for the stretch one...I got that one ...5 stars! LOL ...But I am moving and I am sweating like with no other exercise I do. I LOVE IT....It just gets your blood pumping and I feel so good (after I catch my breath) and it makes for a great start to my day!!!
  • loftus2005
    loftus2005 Posts: 61
    at the gym I go to the instructor always says "ditch the workout, join the party!". You don't need to be perfect or even good! its all about having fun!! Keep at it and it will come together! :D
  • AlanasMommy2011
    AlanasMommy2011 Posts: 19
    Thanks guys for all your support... to the ones who have no rhythm also I wish I was in class with you guys where we could be uncoordinated together!!
  • DrGeriK
    DrGeriK Posts: 61 Member
    I love Zumba. Have been doing it for 1 1/2 years and I still don't do some of the high impact moves as well as I think it's called The Samba. I just move as best as I can and have fun. I laugh at myself and enjoy it. I zig sometimes when I'm suppose to zag................anin't no thing. Just find a type of exercise you enjoy so exercise won't seem like exercise.
  • lisitabonita
    lisitabonita Posts: 81 Member
    I am a Zumba instructor and I always start off with the easiest way to do a move and tell people to stay where they are comfortable as I bump up the step. I have seen people who are not used to moving their body and so I start off almost robotic, so they can see the basics and eventually they pick it up. I love Zumba (I burned 1400 calories today alone thanks to Zumba). I'd suggest trying another class, or even trying out the videos. I found mine on craigslist, cheaper than I can get them from Zumba with my discount.
  • losingitlittlebylittle
    losingitlittlebylittle Posts: 15
    Just keep doing it! It's an awesome workout and so much fun! We had a newbie in class tonight who was afraid to try it, and as I told her - just keep moving, try to go in the same direction, and watch the instructor as much as you can. Eventually you get the hang of it, especially if they use the same playlist for a few classes in a row. Don't give up!!! I just burned 641 calories in an hour. It's worth making a fool out of my "gringa" self for that!! :)
  • briyowes
    briyowes Posts: 757 Member
    Same issue here too. First time I tried it on the Wii, I hated it. But I tried it again and I love it! I also do a Curves Zumba class each week. I can't do all the moves, but I try my best and just keep moving to the music.
  • cheshirequeen
    cheshirequeen Posts: 1,324 Member
    theres a pic that has just dance 2, the streets, is how you feel, and either ace ventura dancing in a tutu or chris farley on snl doing the chippendales dance, thats how you look. haha. i agree. ive been doing it over a year, and i think in my head, im all sexy, i do it at home because i know im not. haha. get it at home, the wii 2 version. it has different routines, different styles, different times, you can program your own, and it has a avatar that shows you what the next move is. i love it.
  • katjo10
    katjo10 Posts: 82 Member
    I just tried my 1st Zumba class last Friday. Did I ever feel uncoordinated! Who would have thought that I would have such a hard time considering I was a cheerleader for 4 years in high school. I guess that is what 20 years does to you without exercise. It was an absolutle blast. I will continue with Zumba and I feel confident I will catch on as I continue to go to class. I am sure you will as well. Just give it a little time.:bigsmile:
  • shellg1975
    shellg1975 Posts: 2 Member
    I do zumba classes three times a week and I love it. I have a hard time with some of the moves but I just have fun with it. It's a great work out my classes are a hour long I burn 810 calories. So don't give up I promise it gets easier :)
  • karylee44
    karylee44 Posts: 892
    keep it up.. i have been doing it for over a year and you will still find me going in the wrong direction. most important thing with zumba is to keep moving and have fun. i have to modify mine a bit due to knee issues.

    keep moving
  • knapowell
    knapowell Posts: 230 Member
    When I started zumba I was 250+ pounds, and no matter how I wanted my body to move, it was just not having it. I found an instructor that I will follow to the ends of the earth, and I hung in there. It took a long time for my body to get it, but eventually it did just that. Once you learn the basics, the new steps will be easier and easier for you to master. I tell all class newbies that you have to give it at least 5 classes before you give up. Most of the people I told that to now say the same to other newbies. It takes about 5 classes to even start to get the hang of a few songs and not feel completely uncoordinated. I love it so much that I am getting ready to take instructor training this summer.
  • only_5mom
    only_5mom Posts: 28
    Keep trying! Nobody cares if you can't do it all or mis-step, we all do that! It is great exercise for calorie burn and so much fun, you are dripping with sweat before you even realize it!

Categories