Breaking up with Zumba

[Deleted]

I love Zumba, it is so much fun. But it is not the workout I need it to be anymore, and so I am breaking up with it. Sadly, it is mostly the instructor that makes it so low-intensity for me anymore. When I first started, she was really up beat and energizing, but as my fitness levels increased, she seems to have backed off, and after she had surgery last year she's not even close to her former levels of intensity. It isn't just me getting used to it, others have noticed it.

I feel guilty, because I adore the instructor. She's been nothing but nice to me, and supportive. She helped me lose my first 30lbs. I feel like I owe her an explanation, or at least a quick "thanks!" but I don't know how/what to say.

Anyone else ever quit a form of exercise?

[al320]

not with an exercise, but with instructors. i just realize after a while, that for whatever reason, their class isnt for me. it's no big deal. you dont need to explain it to her.

[Brie]

I quit running. No regrets.

[LWoods]

I quit yoga at the regular gym once I realized they weren't as good at checking poses/postures as the actual yoga gym. I think the instructors are all certified, but it just isn't the same.

[EvenStephens]

You know your body and your needs better than anyone else, but if you love doing Zumba, why break up? I could see you either hitting this low-intensity instructor's class once a week, for fun, maybe before or after another workout or looking for another, more intense, instructor. If you really, really love it, you could look into getting certified to lead it yourself, even.

[Deleted]

There was a Zumba instructor that I loved who taught at my former gym. A bunch of new women joined the class together and she toned it down for them since they were newbies. It never really picked back up again. And at one point the instructor even suggested to me that I join her more advanced classes at another facility.

Like most classes the instructor can totally make or break the class. If you're close with her, I would totally take the opportunity to say that you no longer feel challenged by the class and that you're looking to try other classes/forms of cardio.

[interro]

May 14, 2012 14:09:18 GMT -5 Brie said:

I quit running. No regrets.

This. I've also quit Zumba because the knee I messed up running in low-support shoes couldn't tolerate the twisting and dancing even though I really loved Zumba and my instructor.

You have to do what works for you and your body!

[kams]

Your health is the one place I really believe it is okay to be selfish. You need to do what's best for your success. I don't think you owe her an explanation, unless you want to see if she will make a change for you.

I get two hours a day of childcare at my gym, and I have to make that the most effective 2 hours possible. This means I've had to give up some "fun" classes with instructors that I like. It's nothing personal.

[Deleted]

May 15, 2012 6:13:11 GMT -5 EvenStephens said:

You know your body and your needs better than anyone else, but if you love doing Zumba, why break up? I could see you either hitting this low-intensity instructor's class once a week, for fun, maybe before or after another workout or looking for another, more intense, instructor. If you really, really love it, you could look into getting certified to lead it yourself, even.

I think I'd go occasionally when I had the extra time, but really the issue is that I need Sunday (formerly Zumba day) for a high-intensity workout.

I'd love to go teach, but I don't know how I'd be received. I'm still kinda heavy, and I don't move well dance-wise. I have stupid short arms! But it could be fun.

[Deleted]

May 15, 2012 8:48:13 GMT -5 kams said:

Your health is the one place I really believe it is okay to be selfish. You need to do what's best for your success. I don't think you owe her an explanation, unless you want to see if she will make a change for you.

I get two hours a day of childcare at my gym, and I have to make that the most effective 2 hours possible. This means I've had to give up some "fun" classes with instructors that I like. It's nothing personal.

You're really right here! Thank you.

[vccake]

I stopped pilates and increased yoga. There are a lot of positions in pilates where you sit on your butt and I have SCISSOR tips for ass bones -- it wasn't worth it. And I have a big, fat ass -- just with really sharp butt bones.

I stopped taking a full hour of spin. It's too boring. I try to find spin classes that mix core or TRX, etc.

[lilibet]

I just recently broke up with zumba too. Similar to you op it wasn't the excercise I needed. She was big on "let's all sing and whoop" through class and would stand in front of you until you did it and I was always "am I the only one doing the high intensity moves who doesn't have enough air left to whoop?" Plus we had a sub 50% of the time who was even worse - I almost never broke a sweat in her class and her moves were so basic there wasn't a high intensity option - one of her frequent moves was standing in place - raise your heel slightly off the floor with your toes on the ground, then turn your foot so it points to the side then repeat with other foot. Repeat 4 times on each side. It was impossible to get your heart rate up.

I lost a lot of weight in my year or so of zumba and I may try to find a new class somewhere else but I'm ready to focus more on running and yoga.

[lilibet]

May 15, 2012 8:51:50 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

May 15, 2012 6:13:11 GMT -5 EvenStephens said:

You know your body and your needs better than anyone else, but if you love doing Zumba, why break up? I could see you either hitting this low-intensity instructor's class once a week, for fun, maybe before or after another workout or looking for another, more intense, instructor. If you really, really love it, you could look into getting certified to lead it yourself, even.

I think I'd go occasionally when I had the extra time, but really the issue is that I need Sunday (formerly Zumba day) for a high-intensity workout.

I'd love to go teach, but I don't know how I'd be received. I'm still kinda heavy, and I don't move well dance-wise. I have stupid short arms! But it could be fun.

A lot of the instructors at my old gym aren't stick thin, I had no problem with it and I don't know of anyone who did. I think the most important thing with zumba is that the instructor is having fun.

[SallyJ]

I just quit my pilates class. I don't want to fucking talk about what's for dinner while I'm focusing on my workout!!! After about 6 weeks the instructor drove me bonkers and I seemed to have become more fit than the level of the class. I really do love pilates so I might try an actual studio.

[mrsacornblue]

If you really like the instructor, you can always thank her for getting you to the point that you are ready to move on and helping you to lose your first 30 pounds.

[alithebride]

i quit one yoga studio just because the teacher would irritate the crap out of me with her beginning of class meditations. i'm all for a bit of reflection but 10 mins worth is bonkers.