Answered Zumba Questions
Questions I have answered about Zumba! (will be added as I answer more questions!)
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Anonymous asked: Can you tell me about zumba instructor training?? I really wanna know if i’m up for it!
Answer:
Sure!
Not gonna lie, it’s hard! It’s an 8 hour training and you’re moving for at least 5 hours of it. There are going to be steps that you won’t be able to do at first or possibly at all in the training, but all you have to do is go home and practice!
It’s going to be overwhelming. You’re given a TON of information that you’ll have to go home and sift through and review to let it sink in better. You have to go into training knowing that you’re not going to come out ready to teach a class the next day. Honestly I didn’t expect to teach as quickly as I did (and I only subbed). I really thought that it would take me at least 6 months to a year to be comfortable with classes. But that’s just me. I worked very hard with my friend who’s also an instructor to be able to sub that class for her. Having that first class under my belt makes me feel that much more confident.
The atmosphere is amazing. If you feel nervous, chances are 85% of your group is just as nervous as you are. If you’re worried you’re not going to catch on right away, there’s at least one other person that feels the same way. You are not alone! If anything, you have at least one thing in common with every single one of your training-mates. YOU LOVE ZUMBA! It really is a no-judge area—my ZES banned us from thinking anything judgmental about anyone in class but more importantly we were not allowed to badmouth/compare ourselves. Everybody in your class learns at different paces and everybody has different levels of Zumba experience. The important thing is that you love to do it! Do not forget that when it gets hard (if it gets hard for you)!
Yeah, it’s tiring and possibly a little scary, but you get done with that 8 hours of training and you’re walking back to your car drenched in sweat and holding a license with your name on it, you feel incredibly accomplished. It’s a great experience~
So…you up for it? :]]
Disclaimer: This is my personal experience. You will most definitely have a different experience than me!
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Anonymous asked: is it expensive AFTER zumba training to stay an instructor?
Answer:
It depends on how you look at it.
You can sign up for ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network) for $30/month and get music every month and a choreo dvd with music every other month. Also, as long as you’re a ZIN member you don’t have to retake your training. You also get discounts on additional trainings, Zumbawear, and other things that are very useful. Although you can advertise your classes as Zumba, non-ZIN members aren’t allowed to use the logo. Reason being is because all of that $30 that you pay each month goes towards other licensing and whatnot.
If you’re not a part of ZIN, you have to renew your B1 (Basic moves 1) training every year. So that’s almost $300/year. Plus no discounts, and no music/choreo dvds.
Even though it’s actually cheaper to just retake your B1 every year than it is to be a ZIN member (only by $60), everything you get from ZIN is amazing and helpful. The $30 pays itself off in discounts and tools to enhance your instructing career.
Needless to say, I am a part of ZIN and I think it’s incredibly worth it!
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Anonymous asked: Do you have to join ZIN right away? or can you wait a little while?
Answer:
You’re given the option to join at your Instructor Training but no, you don’t have to. If you do, you’re given a cd of music and a dvd though.
But you can wait.
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Anonymous asked: Hi :) Great blog! I have a question. How does one go about becoming a Zumba instructor? I’ve fallen completely in love with Zumba and I want to be an instructor after losing a few more lbs.
Answer:
Thank you so much!!!
Welp, you’ve got the first step down! Loving Zumba! Horray~
Secondly, go to Zumba.com and click the “instructor training” tab on top. Scroll down and select what fits for you and find a training in your area! B1 is the best place to start for a new instructor!
GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME TO THE CLUB <3 Any other questions, feel free to ask!
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Fake it and shake it!!! If you can’t do a specific move, it’s okay to just move! Nobody’s looking at you, trust me. They’re all concentrating on themselves, especially if it’s a challenging class!
It will take longer than 3 classes to get used to the moves (it took me 2 months to get a specific turn when I started a live class at the beginning of the year), especially if it’s your first time! Do not get discouraged!!! You’re there to have fun and even if you’re not executing the moves exactly like your instructor, you’re still using energy, sweating, and burning calories!!!
Zumba’s not like yoga, you don’t really have to concentrate on your breathing. If you breathe hard, it’s okay. That’s what cardio is supposed to do :].
And don’t be afraid to lower the intensity of a move. Sometimes instructors will add a little hop at the end of a v-step or really push into the ground so the bounce back for a forward tap. It’s quite alright to eliminate that hop and to just tap instead of bounce. (hopefully that makes sense!)
Always, ALWAYS stay hydrated too! I have a maraca sound after every 2 songs to signal water, but you do NOT have to wait for it. Heck, I drink after every single song and I’m the instructor :]
All and all, don’t let the moves get you down. Give it time and you’ll gradually start getting it!!! And you just told me the most important reason not to give up! YOU LOVE IT!!!!
P.S.: If your near Berks Co, PA, you can! Hahahaha!!! XD
