Okay, so it wasn’t exactly my “first time.”
I used to love Zumba as a teenager, but that was many years ago and I am now much more out of shape since then. So essentially, it was like experiencing Zumba for the first time, again.
If you’ve read my previous post, where I tried cycling for the first time, then you’ll know that I’m new to my fitness journey. I’m new to working out again and am currently not in the best shape of my life. I used to be an active child and teenager, but college hit (hard) and then I moved around a lot for a while. Now, however, I’m trying to get my fitness journey back on track. I thought that I’d give Zumba a try again.
Zumba classes are essentially an hour-long intense dance party. It involves Pop and Latin-inspired music and dance moves. If you don’t like dancing, skip this class. If you do like dancing, try it out! I enjoy group fitness classes because I like to….
a) Not have the responsibility of planning a full workout for myself.
b) I find classes very motivational. It’s definitely intimidating, especially with the super fit people in the class, but I like having the instructor continue to push and inspire me throughout the class.
Zumba dance instructors are always brightly dressed and super high energy. They inspire me with their level of dance skills and passion. Their enthusiasm is contagious.
The class starts with a warm-up. Something jumpy to get your blood flowing and your heart pumping. Then it ramps up and flows through a cycle of high-intensity and lower-intensity songs. The pop songs tend to have a lot of jumping, whereas the Latin songs have more salsa-inspired hip-moving dance moves. I think that it’s fun to transition between the two dance styles, but the dancing in and of itself is hard. There is a lot of quick foot movements, hip rolling, arm spinning… and sass!
It’s overwhelming. The instructor starts slow in order for the students to pick up the movements, but it still takes a couple of rounds before I was able to pick up some of the moves. I’ll be honest – some of them were so difficult that I wasn’t able to completely do them. However, start with the feet and then follow with the arms. Eventually you’ll get it. Every time I messed up, I just smiled and laughed at myself and my white-girl clunky-ness dancing. Who cares? I wasn’t the only one messing up the dance moves.
By the end of the class, I was pretty sweaty and tired. I wasn’t necessarily super sore (I’ve definitely been worse), but the next day my joints were pretty sore. I’m sure that it’s because my body is going from non-active and stagnant to jumping and dancing. Over time, I’m sure my bones will get used to it.
I like Zumba – but I like dancing. I like music, pop and Latin. I don’t mind if I mess up. If you’re like me and agree with all of the above, then go for it! Zumba is super fun. It’s not a strenuous workout and by the end of the hour, it’ll feel like you haven’t even done a workout. Good luck!
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Thank you for reading! Have you ever tried Zumba? Let me know in the comments below and like this post if you want more like it!
Xoxo’s
Emmalee
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Emmalee Mauldin 
I’ve been “Zumba’ing” for about 3-4 years and love. Good luck with the new fitness journey.
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Thank you!! I’ve continued going to Zumba about twice a week for a few weeks and have fallen in love with it!
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