Zumba!

[fireheart]

So I finally caved. A lot of gyms around here are doing Zumba classes and the concept looked kind of interesting to me, although I'd initially passed it off as a fad from the "Seen it on TV" type of crap.

However, a lot of people have been rabbitting on about the benefits of Zumba and I did some research. Turns out there's a group that runs Zumba classes without me needing a gym membership and they're right near my house.

So what should I expect? Anything different from a normal fitness class?

[iradney]

Well, it depends on your instructor, but expect lots of butt shaking, latin american dance, a little hip hop, some african dancing...it's loads of fun and you walk out as sweaty as hell, but you feel like a sex goddess (well....I do anyway after a class....)

if you have knee or hip problems, then let the instructor know so s/he can show you alternative moves.

[fireheart]

Well, it depends on your instructor, but expect lots of butt shaking, latin american dance, a little hip hop, some african dancing...it's loads of fun and you walk out as sweaty as hell, but you feel like a sex goddess (well....I do anyway after a class....)

if you have knee or hip problems, then let the instructor know so s/he can show you alternative moves.

Thanks. Definitely looking forward to it now

at the sex goddess comment

Re knee/hip problems, the worst for me is this sharp pain I'll get on occasion if I'm on a register for too long. My problems are more on my shoulder.

[blas]

They offer them for free at the gym I go to. Unfortunately, they are only during the afternoon/evening and on Wednesdays an hour or so after I usually leave the gym (and I usually don't work out on Wednesdays anyway).

I really want to try, though!

[Giggle Goose]

I'd definitely try to grab the instructor before class and let he/she (most likely "she") know that you're new. Otherwise, just have fun, don't get discouraged, and enjoy!

[Treasure]

I took 1 class (wanted to go back sooo bad, schedule not work so well) any way, it was a lot of fun; call the people that are offering the class, or go see them before class, explain that you just want to know what to expect;
You will go from fast to slower and back, this alternating keeps your heart/metabolism from plateauing on you for maximum calorie burn (or so that's what my instructor said)

don't be afraid to be goofy; if you can't figure out what to do/how to do it, improvise! as long as you keep moving you'll be doing fine.

Salsa, reggeton, samba, belly dance, hip-hop, lots of hip movement, KEEP YOUR CORE TIGHT, or at least try to; it will seriously help with the calorie burn

Have FUN!!

[fireheart]

So I did my first class tonight (Monday before was a public holiday so no class on) and I LOVED IT.

Instructor was very friendly. I had to sign the standard liability waiver, so she knew I was new. Very energetic though and I managed to pick up on some of the mid-level dance moves (i.e. I was jumping at one point, but not crossing my legs like the advanced moved) but mainly did the beginners. The girls in my class seemed ok-this class was all-female: it wasn't a requirement, it was just the way the class was set up.

I am thinking I need some new t-shirts or singlets tho, doing it in an old polo-shirt is VERY annoying.

[customersruinmylife]

We run Zumba classes at my school three nights a week. Each night we get at least 60 people turn up! 99% of them are women, but I have noticed that men have started to creep in.

[iradney]

YAY! Glad you had fun We've had 2 guys join our class - I think they were a little at first, but they enjoy it, we enjoy it, and it's fun for all

[Kheldarson]

fireheart, get some good sports bras and tank tops. Your body will thank you for it.

[fireheart]

fireheart, get some good sports bras and tank tops. Your body will thank you for it.

The ones I wear are sports bras given that it is EXTREMELY difficult to find non-lacy bras in an E cup. I don't mind wearing lacy bras, but only occasionally, not as an everyday one.

What I do need to find is some loose t-shirts to wear in class. I wore an old polo shirt last night and it was quite heavy.

This class had around maybe 30-40 people in it, so it was kinda small. This group in particular runs classes every day/night of the week except for Sunday. They run Toning classes on Thursday nights, which I'm planning on doing in a month or so, but I'll speak to the instructor next week. Better yet-there's no requirement that I HAVE to use the toning sticks that they sell (which are like $30), I can use small dumbbells if I want or water bottles (I'm using some small dumbbells since they're pretty cheap)

[Thuringwethyl]

I tried Zumba for the first time last week and loved it. It's a nice change from the treadmill and stairmill. My boyfriend would do it but he'd be too self-conscious shaking his booty in front of a bunch of women. Sometimes it's nice to be a girl.