How fit do you need to be for Zumba?

[plaingirly]

I have got to the point where I hate how I look and can't stand to look in the mirror.

I was thinking of going to a zumba class as there is a new one near me that doesn't have many people going yet.

It is terrifying though!

I have about 5 stones to lose and am so unfit. I couldn't even run for 2 minutes. Can't believe the state I have got myself into by 26. So sickening!

How much of a work out is zumba? Do you have to be fit to go?

Dont worry and go...I wasnt fit to start with, if possible email/contact the instructor and tell her that you are a bit worried etc. OR just go before a class starts and introduce yourself...Zumba is fun, noone is judging anyone...even if they do dont even look at them twice...

Ive been to few classes, some are more intense than other...but we all started somewhere & you made the first step--you want to do something about your weight, good luck :)

I'm pretty unfit and found it ok. The only thing I would say is you have to have some co-ordination. I stopped going because I'm incapable of dancing without falling over/crashing into someone/going the wrong way and looking like a fool!

hijack - I am planning to try zumba - what does one wear? is yoga-wear OK or should it be something else?

The Zumba classes I have done are basically aerobics with a bit more shimmying added in. And the fantastic thing about aerobics is that you can work really hard or you can basically bounce around at the back if you're not so fit.
Everyone has to start somewhere and no one is great at Zumba when they start, you just learn the moves as you go along! A good instructor will be pleased to have you in her class if you make an effort. Definitely go along early and explain your lack of fitness and the instructor might suggest you rest every other track, or you just do the legs not the arms (or vice versa). Have a fantastic time!
Re what to wear, doesn't really matter. Leggings/ shorts, Tshirt, trainers, sports bra. Most important is the sports bra!

thank you :)

I was really unfit when i started my aerobics class, like you i needed to loose are large amount of weight i'm half way through. I thought i was dying after the first class within a few weeks though i was keeping up. Any way my point is, the first hurdle is going and then to keep on going, i hear that Zumba is good fun to have fun.

HellothisisJoanie how is that helpful??

You work at your own level so lack of fitness is no problem and it takes a while to pick up the steps so you can build it up slowly.

Make sure you wear good trainers though, I've seen people trying to dd it in flip flops/ converse and not realising that its quite high impact.

If you go you need to embrace the fact that you'll look like a dick so does everyone else though and once you've got over that its so much fun! I miss Zumba

It's fun and you don't need to be super fit to start.
Get some decent trainers and a sport bra, other than that, wear something comfy that you can move around in.

It's telling her what the solution is

Last year I started doing a couple of aerobic classes a week, as I needed to lose a lot of weight (way over 5 stone).

I found the warm up and earlier sections ok, I struggled as the intensity increased. I marched in place for the hardest section and the cool down and stretches at the end were fine.

A year later and a lot of running/Zumba/aerobic later I have dropped five stone and now I do all of the exercises arms and legs, putting a good effort in throughout the class.

Do what you can and every week you will get fitter and things will get easier :)

I was the biggest in the class by a mile, yet everyone was so lovely to me, go and have fun :)

You get out what you put in to Zumba, it can all be adapted to your own ability. I've found it great fun and a brilliant work out. I used to push myself really hard. Now I'm 36 wks pregnant and don't do anywhere near as much but I still go and do what I can, mainly because I enjoy it. But also to try and keep weight gain to a minimum.

Give it a try.

You don't need to be fit to start zumba,if you have a good instructor they go through each step and because you repeat the moves its easy to pick up. No one is looking at you ,everyone is looking at the instructor !

I started going to zumba two and a half years ago doing two classes a week then after a year added a zumba toning class using 500g weights.I have lost 20kg in that time going from 68kg to 48kgs and feel fitter than I ever have.I have also made some lovely friends.
Our instructor has some of our routines on you tube if you want to have a look ,just google tina neville zumba tauranga nz.A bit of a long way to come to a class but you can always learn the routines and do it at home.

hellothisisjoannie I obviously know why I am overweight but thank you for the internet diagnosis.

Thank you everyone! I am feeling motivated to change but didn't want to jump into something that was way above my level - that would probably scare me off!
Going to dig out my trainers and get something to wear on Monday.

I just want to do something fun! I think I will be at the back of the class as I am really shy but hoping that being in such a small class will mean I can pick up the steps even if I am the biggest there!

So ready for this weight to be gone! I put so much on so quickly with medication / depression and I just want to feel like I am 26 not 96!

I'm not fit and I go! It's loads of fun, enjoy.

Go! You don't need to be fit at all. I would go as far as saying that Zumba is the new toning tables... you basically shuffle and shimmy from side to side while waving your arms a bit. It's not as hard a normal aerobics because at no point do you have to jump. You probably dance more energetically on a girls' night out!

"you basically shuffle and shimmy from side to side while waving your arms a bit"

Only if the class is crap. Our instructor includes jumping and the routine is very energetic. I wear a heart rate monitor whilst I Zumba and I burn around 625 to 700 calories in a 45 to 60 minute class. Of course a lighter person would burn less calories, therefore YMMV.

Go for it.
For me the fab thing about Zumba is that it feels like a boogie.
There are over 100 ladies (and a couple of men) at my zumba class, all ages & sizes & levels of fitness. I've been going a year now and my energy levels have increased, weight has decreased (lost 3 stone in last 3 years) plus I laugh a lot more.

I only went to zumba at first then added in some Les Mills classes.

I have never felt so good.

Most people at our classes wear leggings & t-shirts or vest tops with good trainers.

As someone said above you get out what you put in.

I've made loads of new friends too.

Go for it OP,the aerobic exercise and fun of dancing to music is great for fighting depression and I find taking care of myself in this way encourages me to
Eat less ~ win win!

Zumba's great fun whatever your fitness level. Your instructor should take your circumstances into consideration anyway. No-one will be looking at you and it's not a competition, so get out there and do it!

Burns about 350 calories an hour, I think.

Just watched some zumba classes clips on youtube - wow they move fast!!