Zumba! Or How to Not Look Like Shakira

Last night, I decided to try Zumba® for the first time. I was super nervous because I am, as I've said before, not really a "joiner". I don't really do classes, I don't join many groups, I don't even like Weight Watchers meetings. Not that I'm not social -- anyone who knows me can attest I'm the Grand Poobah of Extroversion -- but, that usually doesn't involve sweat and stretch pants.

For those who don't know what Zumba is (I didn't, really!), it's kind of like a latin dance fusion... there was salsa, merengue, some brazilian booty shakin', all set to really high energy latin dance music. Think cha-cha meets step class without the step. The official description from 24 Hour Fitness is:

This workout combines high energy and motivating music with synchronized dance movements designed for any fitness level. The routines feature aerobic fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. Want to burn some calories and have fun? Then Zumba is for you!

I got to the class early because I'd heard that some classes have lines for Zumba... like, long, long lines.  Like you're auditioning for American Idol-type lines.  That was not the case at my gym fortunately, so I had some time to kill before class, which I used chatting up other class-goers lingering outside the door like me.  I was encouraged and saw there were a couple other girls my size... bigger, actually and I thought, if they can do it, so can I!  Of course, then I found out it was there first time, too and they were just as nervous than I was. So I figured we were all in this together and I was going to follow-through with it even if I looked like a total buffoon.

Buffooniness aside (buffooniness!), I really liked it!  Yes, for the first 15-30 minutes, I thought I was going to die, because it's pretty fast-paced (in a good way) and I'm not much of a dancer. It's a lot of salsa/merengue-type moves, a lot on your toes, a lot of hip-action, a lot of arms which is what really took my heart rate up a lot.  A lot.  I looked in the mirror at one point and my face was the exact same shade as my hot pink t-shirt. I looked like a freakin' gumdrop.  But!  I forged on.

I've been easing myself into things because I tend to get overzealous, injure myself, then get pissy and quit.... I didn't want that to happen this time, so I've been doing about 30-45 minutes of cardio in varying levels of intensity (elliptical, mostly).  I was nervous about going a whole hour, especially at hot-pink face level. I told myself at 15 minutes if I could make it to 30 minutes, I could quit. I could go home. 30 minutes is reasonable, I'm not tiny, I'm still learning, blah blah blah, insert some other excuse here.  But then 30 minutes rolled around and while I was still clock-watching, I decided I would stick with it. After I got over the hump, despite us kicking up the cardio even further, I was not longer dying and the rest of me had caught up with my exploding chest.

Plus, I looked over at those two other newbies, hiding in the back row, faces cherry red, looking lost and freaked out as can be, modifying the moves down to a Sweatin' with the Oldies level and I thought, "I can't leave. If I bail out, they'll think it's ok for them to bail out, too. I'm setting an example, dammit! WE CAN DO THIS."  So I stuck with it and by the end of the class, I was really happy I did. So proud of myself!

Was I out of breath? Oh god, yes. Was I sweating like a pig?  I've never actually seen a pig sweat, so I can't say, but my clothes were sticking to me.  Did I have fun?  Yes, I did. Despite my skepticism and self-doubt, despite still vehemently feeling that "dropping it like it's hot" is not for me, I did like it. I will be going back next week.  Unfortunately, I don't think the other two ladies will be there. I asked them after class if they enjoyed themselves and they looked discouraged. I said that I would be back next week and I hoped I saw them. I got shifty-eyes, so I'm guessing they may not. I hope so, though.

This instructor (Marissa, for those local) was really fabulous. Sometimes the music was so loud, I couldn't hear her next instruction, but next time I'll get a better position in the center of the room.  The steps weren't as hard as I thought, either. I'm not a big dancer anymore -- I'd rather watch other people dance -- but I took dance lessons for years and years.  But I think even if you didn't, you could handle it.  She keeps the steps relatively simple and each song has a certain series of moves you do over and over, so you don't have to remember some crazy routine. 

And if you're concerned about your heart rate or your knees (my knees were cool, but my left foot/ankle was a bit cranky this morning), you can modify the moves if need be. The arms are really where your heart rate goes zooooooooom! so lower your arms some or go half-way.  If you get lost, just step to the music and shake your rump.  Everyone in the class was pretty nice and I didn't feel unwelcome... everyone is there for the same reason: to sweat and have fun.  I met a nice woman named Perla (what a pretty name!) who was encouraging, as were some of the other regulars I spoke to.  They all really seem to love it and I think if I can feel more comfortable with the moves and as I lose more weight, I'll feel more like Shakira (old wild, dirty, sexy Shakira, not new robot, latina, Britney Shakira).

And if you need further motivation, there was a guy in my class (the only one!) who was so into it, I couldn't help but crack a few smiles and be inspired!  He was an Asian man, probably about 40-50 something, with a thick porn 'stache, a very muscular body and didn't seem to speak much English (or so it seemed). He was in great shape!  He had on a wifebeater and green track pants and man... he was going to town!  You could tell he'd done it before, but he certainly didn't do it well.  He was obviously seasoned, a regular... but he wasn't good. You could just tell he loved it. He was air humpin' and dropping things like they were hot and shimmying and overall, that impressed me. It told me it's not about being awesome or impressing anyone or being embarrassed about yourself (the man had a porn 'stache, people)... it's about having fun and that's what he did.  Kudos, 'Stache Man!

I'm thinking about getting the DVDs so I can practice at home when no one is watching so I can try out the moves I was a little inhibited about. I was wavin' my arm flab like a windsock  at a room full of like, 60 people on cardio machines... I can only hope they were watching the Lakers game and not me. But overall? Thumbs up! I will totally be going back next week.

What's your experience with Zumba? Ever been? Want to go? Tell me if you decide to try it, I want to hear about it!