Going at Your Own Pace

On any given week, there is almost always a new student in one or two classes. Especially with it being the start of April (no joke!), here are a few thoughts for any readers who are new to Zumba® Fitness!

1. Zumba® Fitness is not a contest! Perhaps you're a student who has been around the block more than once on the weight-loss journey, and you're in a class surrounded by a bunch of youngsters? Should you compare yourself to them? No way! Even if it's been years (or decades) since you last put your foot down to exercise, by no means should you compare yourself to other participants in the class.  
2. Please, please, please don't compare yourself to the instructor! I know that sounds odd - because you do want to follow the instructor, but if the instructor is doing something you know your body can't handle because of previous injuries or other physical issues, modify the move for your body and pace! A good instructor should help give lower impact version of each higher impact move they do in a class. As well, most instructors recognize and applaud improvisation by students! After all, it is a party, and everyone doing something a bit different gives the party character!
3. If you're just starting out, it's OK to feel a bit off-key. After all, a music teacher shouldn't expect their students to be able to recite a song after hearing it for the first time mere minutes before - likewise, Zumba® instructors do not expect perfect choreography from a student (or class) with the first go at a song. This is especially true with Aqua Zumba®! 
4. If the instructor is being wild and crazy, you should too! Heck, if the instructor is being fairly quiet, you can be wild and crazy anyway! (On a personal note, I know sometimes I'm more or less quiet in a class after a long day at my Chemist job, feel free to bug me on this point!)
5. Have fun! If you leave a Zumba® Fitness class without having had a good sweat and most of all, a good time, the instructor has done something wrong. Don't be shy about approaching the instructor in such a case. 
6. As necessary, improvise. By that I mean, by nature, some folks are rhythmically in-tune, while others (such as myself) must work hard to "get" choreography.  The most critical thing in a Zumba® class I try and convey to each new student is, no matter what, don't stop. Don't stop moving and definitely don't sit down because this stresses your body by going from maximum heart-rate to stationary without going through a proper cool down. If nothing else, just pace in place during class if you feel that class is going too fast and furious from you. I won't hold anything against you, and if nothing else, I will make sure that your Zumba® Fitness experience was OK and if there is some sort of concern you have. (More about this to come in a future post)