By: Siyona Singhal

News Editor

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to simultaneously have fun and suffer, welcome to Zumba. It’s the workout that promises to help you “dance your way to fitness.” In reality, you’re more likely to find yourself gasping for air, questioning your rhythm, and wondering if your limbs have always been this uncoordinated. I’m here to give you some tips to survive your first Zumba class so you don’t end up the way I did: sweaty and wishing I had stayed home and watched Netflix. 

First, bring a bottle of water. You may think that you’re not going to get that thirsty; it’s just dancing, after all, but allow me to reassure you that you definitely will need it. In my first Zumba experience, I thought it would be fine to leave my water bottle at home, but by the end of the class, I was so dehydrated I was ready to drink my own sweat, which I had plenty of. So trust me when I say that you will want to bring a bottle filled with a refreshing drink. 

Another important tip is to be aware of the Zumba hierarchy. The Zumba classroom follows a very specific social pyramid. At the front of the class, you will find your Zumba Pros. These are the ladies who know the instructor by name and will never miss a class. They know all the steps by heart and make you feel like those inflatable tube men at car dealerships. In the middle rows, you’re going to find the mediocre dancers. These are people who may attend Zumba a few times a month and can dance without tripping over themselves. They won’t be as advanced as the pros, but they can hold their own. In the back row, you’re going to find the beginners. These are people who thought Zumba would be an easy class to get some steps in, blissfully unaware that the next hour would make them want to lie down indefinitely. These people are going to trip over their own feet and face the wrong direction. They will run into at least one other person and hit another person in the face. 

You need to wear the proper clothing and footwear. Do not show up in a hoodie and sweatpants or you will sweat so hard you won’t be able to see. Instead, wear a short-sleeved shirt and some shorts to make sure you don’t pass out from heat exhaustion. In terms of footwear, your five-year-old Converse are not going to hold up. Wear real tennis shoes to avoid blisters and chronic foot problems. Also, get shoes with grippy soles so you don’t faceplant mid-pivot. 

Lastly, the most important thing you’re going to need is a positive attitude. Zumba is not for the weak, but with a positive attitude, you can make it through the whole class. As intimidating as the dance moves may seem, with enough zeal and a splash of confidence, you can make any flailing arm movement look planned. Just fake it till you make it and try to smile through the pain. 

Bring all these things, and you might just survive your first Zumba class with your ego (mostly) intact. Who knows? You might even start looking forward to your next session. Or at least the part where you get to collapse on the floor afterward.