Dancing and Zumba for Exercise

[kaelarenee7]

Anyone have any tips for someone just starting to get into dancing and Zumba for exercise? Right now I'm just watching videos on Youtube but I've also done Zumba classes and I find it hard to keep up with the routines. I know that's because I haven't done it enough to learn the steps yet.

Any suggestions on Youtube videos for more beginner oriented dance and Zumba videos? What ones did you find easier to learn and keep up with when you started?

[HelenaFitbit]

It's nice to see you here @kaelarenee7! I do Zumba too, but when I first started I was really self concious, so I purchased the Zumba for Wii game set and I rocked it out. When I did a live class, I went all out and did the Zumbathon 

How about the official Zumba dvds? They have different stages with levels of difficulty, same as with the Wii. 

Happy stepping! 

[SuperStephSteph]

For me I always do better in a class than at home because the energy in classes is always so amazing!

When you go to a class it's easy to want to plant yourself in the back when you're new because you don't want to get in the way if you're having trouble following along, but for me it's easier to keep up if I'm up closer to the front so that I can see what the instructor is doing with their feet. Try to get a spot in class close enough to the front to see and then maybe off to the side so you don't have to be self conscious.

The cool thing about most Zumba routines is that they share a lot of similar movements, once you've got a few classes under your belt it's way easier to learn new songs. If you go to the same class every week and the same person is leading, you'll find that they normally will have the same songs in their routine for a few weeks, so try to stick to classes at the same time and it'll help you initially too.

The most import thing is to stay moving and have fun! As long as you stay moving you're getting a great workout, and if you're like me hopefully you can laugh at yourself when you're hopelessly lost 🙂 

[guilty343]

Hi!

I've been doing Zumba for a couple of years and love it. When I first started going to classes it was the hardest thing ever. How did everyone know these moves? How do they know what to do next? Do I look ridiculous? 

Your first several classes will be your hardest, but stick to it. Find an instructor you like and keep with them. Instructors often repeat the routines, and you'll eventually learn what steps will come next. You'll also start to notice the same moves in different choreographies. So once you have the move down, different and new choreographies will be easier to grasp.

Make sure you are in a spot in front, close to the instructor. (I know it will feel like everyone is looking at you in the front, but really no one is! They are all looking at the instructor.)

Once you are in a prime spot, keep an eye on the instructor's feet. If you get the fancy footwork down, you can add the arm and sassy hip movements in later. If you still can't get it, ask the instructor after class. I've done this with before, and it really helps.

I hope this helped. When I started, I was afraid to dance and had no rhythm whatsoever! Now, I just can't stop moving my feet!

Good Luck!