to think Zumba is shit.

[inyurdreams]

Just that really.
Friends have nagged me for ages to go to Zumba with them, so I finally caved and went to a class today and hated it.
It was the longest hour of my life.

And breathe

I like a dance as much as the next person, but the instructor seemed to assume that we were all experts.

[MsVestibule]

I'm no dancer, but I really enjoy it! But it obviously isn't for you, fair enough.

[kiki22]

Depends on the instructor

[MintyChapstick]

When I did Zumba I found the opposite. The instructors were fun, but some of the other participants acted like they were on Strictly or something and took it so bloody seriously. They spoiled it for me.

[Bunbaker]

I go every week, sometimes twice a week. I need to keep fit.

[KatharinaRosalie]

Zumba can be very different depending on the instructor. Maybe you happened to visit a class with very regular participants, that had already done the same tracks several times, and therefore she made it more challenging? I would try another class.

[thegiddylimit]

I think the trouble there is the instructor. I went with a friend, the instructor was really nice and bubbly. My friend still goes (and keeps asking different friends along with her) but I only lasted a few weeks. On the other hand I swim and do yoga several times a week, both of which she doesn't enjoy. We have decided we are better drinking buddies than exercising buddies!

[inyurdreams]

The instructors were fun, but some of the other participants acted like they were on Strictly or something and took it so bloody seriously.

This.
I thought it was supposed to be mainly about exercise and keeping fit, including some fun simple dance moves, but I felt as if I had inadvertently stumbled into a full on proper dance class.
There was no proper instruction. You were expected to keep up.

Maybe I need a beginners class?

[NinaSimoneful]

YABVVU!! Zumba is brilliant.

It can be difficult at the start because you don't know any moves but it's not a 'dance' where you need to know the steps, you just follow along and have fun. You do pick it up if you stick with it and after a certain amount of classes the instructor switches a song or two our and replaces them. Or they're supposed to anyway.

I could see someone hating it if they really disliked Latin style music though.

[Thelastusername]

I hated Zumba. I felt like a right twat. I am quite self conscious and a bit shy though.

[mumofthemonsters808]

I agree, I think Zumba is perhaps one of the most over rated exercise of all time. Don't get me wrong it's fun and open to anyone, it's better than doing nothing, but I have friends who are dedicated Zumba folk and attend many sessions but their body shape seems to remain the same. If you are attending these classes and watching what goes in your mouth I'd at least want some result, or in my eyes the class is not working. If you just enjoy the music and letting yourself go with your friends, fair enough. I think it's on it's way out anyway, Pyro seems to be all the craze here at the moment.

[inyurdreams]

I think if the moves started off slow, then got quicker, I might have stood a chance.
But she assumed everybody knew what to do and it was all done at 100 miles per hour.

I felt like a right twat.

Thelastusername, I'm sure a looked like a right twat as well as feeling like one.

It wasn't only me. I noticed that 3 others quietly left the class. I felt proud that I stuck it to the end.

[ShrimpieFlintshire]

YANBU. It's a godawful invention.

[Sallygoroundthemoon]

I find Zumba classes really off putting. Everyone seems to know what they are doing and the ones at my gym seem quite unwelcoming. I am a personal trainer as well so really shouldn't be intimidated! I agree with mumofthemonsters - most people I know who do Zumba have not changed shape at all so although I'm sure it is fun if you know what you're doing, I'm not sure if it is enough exercise to make a difference.

[expatinscotland]

YABU. So it didn't suit you? Find another instructor or another form of exercise. Works great for others. My sister has been losing a lot of weight on it after trying other forms of exercise.

[inyurdreams]

most people I know who do Zumba have not changed shape at all

Sallygoround, which group exercise class is best for changing shape?
Now that Zumba's off the list, I need to find something else to go to.

[MintyChapstick]

There is a new one now called Bokwa, and also a ballet themed one, possibly called 'ballet fit' or something like that.

[inyurdreams]

I've been scouting around and came across this comment from a Zumba Instructor

I'm an instructor so am going to be a bit biased here, but the whole point of Zumba is it's meant to be easy to follow and fun, as well as giving you a good workout.

Somebody needs to tell all the other instructors about the easy to follow bit.

[inyurdreams]

I've heard of Bokwa. It sounds too similar to Zumba.

I think I'm more of a body combat/body pump person (absolutely love those)

[ppeatfruit]

No YANBU , It takes all sorts, some classes are great some are not. It depends on the instructor.

I hate the ones in huge sports halls with too many people and deafening 'music'. There're always ridiculous people who show off in revealing expensive high fashion leisure wear that look down on you if you don't know the routines though.

Yes as a pp said, go to a few different ones to see which you like.

[MarkRuffaloCrumble]

I tried it once, I nearly died. Frantic and complicated. Still, it took me weeks to learn the dance moves to Whigfield's Saturday Night back in the day, so I'm obviously not cut out for learning dance moves!

I'd much prefer some kick boxing or something to get fit and build muscle.

[fassbendersmistress]

YANBU

I left my gyms Zumba class half way through. I hadn't worked up a sweat by that point and I was putting a LOT of effort in to coordinate myself, but just couldn't enjoy it.

I think part of the problem is that trainers aren't dancing shoes...something just feels wrong.

[squoosh]

YANBU

A lot of twirling but not enough sweating. Plus Lorraine Kelly zumbas. 'Nuff said really.

[inyurdreams]

I think part of the problem is that trainers aren't dancing shoes.

I think all the showy off ones wear proper dancing shoes. You can twist your knees otherwise.

[edwinbear]

I saw a video of an old school friend and her Zumba pals at a class on Facebook a few months ago. I must admit watching her leaping about in a manner similar to how we used to in our late teens complete with the 'whoop whooping' changed my opinion of her a little and gave me a good snigger to boot. But I'm sure she would say much the same about me plodding up and down a pool for hours on end.

[Ledkr]

I do zumba cos I enjoy it and it's near to my house and cheap.
It certainly makes me sweat and I feel good after.
I was a pro dancer years ago and still occasionally teach, but I di occasionally find the choreo difficult as does dd who is currently dancing 4 times a week and in numerous competitions so don't feel bad if you find it tricky. M
It's certainly not the toughest of workouts I agree.
There is a woman at my Friday class who wears jazz shoes and dances as if she's in a west end show!
Dd and I call her teachers pet