I had posted similar question on the fitness section, but no a good response..So, I am posting here and seek some input.

This weekend am thinking about joining a local fitness center near me and if the price range turns out okay, I will use the exercise bike and even taking a Zumba classes. One thing that am holding back, if any Obese women doing zumba sessions. Have heard good things on it and love latin music. I never hear about obese women taking the class. I am over 400 Lbs and doing dancing at home, which I never could do since am a caregiver to my family, and always do more home duties that starting a fitness at home...so am hoping attending the gym will be my me time to do my workout sessions.

Any over 300 Lbs and taking Zumba classes succeeding? Thank you for listening and input.

Great for you hope all goes well with going to join the Gym - sometimes we just need to commit to work out somewhere else other then home as if your like me its easy to find other things to do, I'm a great procrastinator - also if you have one a workout buddy is great someone who will call and say come on lets get going -I teach belly dancing - and Zumba is good exercise - One thing I found that instructors here neglect is you need remember to keep your knees bent this looks after your back

Hi Liliann

I just wanted to say welcome... since I have not seen you around...

I have never used Zumba so I cannot help you out there... I started walking... back in May I began walking seriously... 2-3 miles a day... it was so hard on my feet at first... but now that I have stayed with it they dont bother me much anymore....

I hope you can find what meets your needs... I think the most important part is consistency... I walk every day... except one day when it rained I rode a stationary bike and it just killed my knees... ... so now I make sure to not miss walking... I guess I need to ride that bike several times a week for 10 minutes to get my knees used to that movement....

I'm glad you asked this because I was wondering the same. They have Zumba at my gym but every time I see the class while I'm picking up my daughter from camp, they are all skinny.

I think it depends on your class. When I lived in a bigger city, I had a membership at the Y that would let you go to any of them in the area.

Zumba at one location was mostly grandmas. At another it was a pretty much a bunch of super skinny college kids. But everyone at any Zumba class I've ever been to has been hilarious and there to have a good time.

I have no rhythm. I'm clumsy. It takes me forever to pick up the moves. But I still always had a blast.

Also, even when I was bigger, I didn't think it was too hard per se. Just wear good shoes.

I'm 344 and I take Zumba and I love it! It feels like a dance party and it's easy to forget that it's exercise. I agree that it depends on the class, but most of the classes that I have been in have had a variety of ages and sizes, and even the ones that have mostly smaller people in them have been fine. Everyone is usually just there to get a good workout in and have fun. I'm not very coordinated so if there are steps that I have trouble getting the hang of I just keep moving and will eventually catch on at some point during the song or several classes in...either way I just keep moving. Also, if there is a step that is challenging like jumping or a hop for instance, I just modify it myself with side steps or a back steps or something less intense because jumping at my size isn't an easy feat. All in all I say give it a try...I hope you enjoy it!

Hi there! I just tried zumba for the first time this past week and just happened to notice the diversity in sizes in the group taking the class. There were woman that were very fit all the way to women like me who are 200+ pounds and there was also a woman who I'm guessing was 350+ pounds. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. If you like to dance, you will love this class! Just start with smaller movements and over the weeks and months you will be able to make them bigger. And don't worry if you don't get all the moves at first! It takes time to learn them and get used to it.

Have fun and good luck!

I'd say it's highly individual. I've done Zumba multiple times (from 225 lbs up to 295 lbs). Lately, my knees have been giving me a lot of problems, so I've been avoiding high impact exercise like Zumba. But at a bachelorette party about 2 months ago, the whole group was doing Zumba, and I was too embarassed to sit it out. I tried to modify to accomodate my knee, but it wasn't enough. My knee was swollen, stiff and in pain for about 2 weeks after.

So basically, know your body, and listen to it. Depending on the condition of your joints, Zumba may or may not be for you. If your joints don't give you problems, then I say go for it. It's a great workout, and you can always modify the steps when you need to and work up to the more challenging stuff.

I did Zumba at my heaviest (345) and loved it. My gym offered a "beginner" program that turned out to be older and heavier people so. Didn't feel uncomfortable. I ended up buying the DVDs though because it's just easier with my crazy schedule! God luck!

Wear good shoes, drink lots of water, and have fun. That's all I have to say.

I <3 Zumba! I just started doing it this month but it's so much fun and you totally sweat!

Wear shoes that don't have a lot of tread so that you can slide easier (there's a lot of twists and if you have treads you'll hurt your back) and bring a towel. I don't usually sweat during exercise (even when I'm running) but zumba makes me sweat.

I have the dvd's so I just do it at home. Maybe when I'm not tripping on my feet I'll actually go to a class, but for now I'm content with the dvd. Tania Beardsley is a great instructor and really makes you feel like you can do anything.

Have fun!

Thank you all for your input...I decided on not joining and Making my me time on home fitness,..I will check on Youtube and do zumba at home. Again, thanks.

I hope linking her page in here is okay, but there is an amazing woman on Facebook named Wendy.

Wendy's zumba journey

She lost a lot of weight doing Zumba and looks amazing. Good luck to you! ^_^

I've been wanting to join our Y's water Zumba class, ever since I saw a class while swimming lap, but I haven't found a class that meets at a convenient time for me.

I don't think I could keep up in a land class, but I think the water class would be ok. Also, once I'm in the water, I tend to feel less conspicuous. I don't know why.