Zumba teachers and inappropriate boundaries

[Anonymous]

I've been doing Zumba for years and have seen a lot of amazing teachers come and go. The vast majority are appropriate. However, what is with people who think they can do anything? Years afo I left one class. A male instructor started out normal and fine. As his confidence grew he started doing things like saying "I need some sexy ladies to join me in front." OK fine, as long as he doesn't bother me. Then he tried to get me to go in front and I said no. He had the whole class cajoling me and I left that day and he tried it again another. He kept doing the whole sexy lady thing and even going up to women and dancing very close and sexual and commenting on how sexy they are and here's the kicker. Most women didn't mind or at least they went along. A few hooted. Those of us who minded most left and talked about WTF was that? We even told the front desk to tell HR to take a look.

Most recently have been attending a Zumba class for a while and she seems great and normal. Well she's decided the class must do a dance for youtube where we all dance arm in arm. Keep in mind we are all sweaty when she introduces the dance. I decline. Others look uncomfortable, but most did it anyway. She now wants it to be part of a routine until it's ready for filming. I mentioned that she should get consent before filming and she basically thinks she can do as she pleases. What makes someone think about sweaty strangers who can't dance want to be arm and arm dancing on social media?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I've been doing Zumba for years and have seen a lot of amazing teachers come and go. The vast majority are appropriate. However, what is with people who think they can do anything? Years afo I left one class. A male instructor started out normal and fine. As his confidence grew he started doing things like saying "I need some sexy ladies to join me in front." OK fine, as long as he doesn't bother me. Then he tried to get me to go in front and I said no. He had the whole class cajoling me and I left that day and he tried it again another. He kept doing the whole sexy lady thing and even going up to women and dancing very close and sexual and commenting on how sexy they are and here's the kicker. Most women didn't mind or at least they went along. A few hooted. Those of us who minded most left and talked about WTF was that? We even told the front desk to tell HR to take a look.

Most recently have been attending a Zumba class for a while and she seems great and normal. Well she's decided the class must do a dance for youtube where we all dance arm in arm. Keep in mind we are all sweaty when she introduces the dance. I decline. Others look uncomfortable, but most did it anyway. She now wants it to be part of a routine until it's ready for filming. I mentioned that she should get consent before filming and she basically thinks she can do as she pleases. What makes someone think about sweaty strangers who can't dance want to be arm and arm dancing on social media?

To clarify arm in arm I mean arm around next person's back...like a half hug with another sweaty smelly stranger.

[Anonymous]

That's inappropriate regardless of the specific class (zumba). I've taken zumba on/off for years, and while some instructors while try and drum up "class participation," I've never seen anyone put on the spot (unless it's a specific person/friend of the instructor that they *know* would be ok with it) or film for youtube (wtf?!).

Most gyms wouldn't even allow that. What kind of facility are you going to??

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm pretty sure I was in your zumba classes, lol. Yeah. I love salsa and merengue and shaking dat butt, but zumba has kind of come and gone and is now populated by retirees and people not looking for a workout. Try something else. I started orangetheory a year ago and am down to a size 2. Worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm pretty sure I was in your zumba classes, lol. Yeah. I love salsa and merengue and shaking dat butt, but zumba has kind of come and gone and is now populated by retirees and people not looking for a workout. Try something else. I started orangetheory a year ago and am down to a size 2. Worth it.

Oh but I just love a lively and appropriate Zumba class because I don't feel like I am exercising. Tell me about orangetheory. I think I looked in and the people looked way more athletic and coordinated than I am. Does it feel like exercise? Do you have fun?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm pretty sure I was in your zumba classes, lol. Yeah. I love salsa and merengue and shaking dat butt, but zumba has kind of come and gone and is now populated by retirees and people not looking for a workout. Try something else. I started orangetheory a year ago and am down to a size 2. Worth it.

Oh but I just love a lively and appropriate Zumba class because I don't feel like I am exercising. Tell me about orangetheory. I think I looked in and the people looked way more athletic and coordinated than I am. Does it feel like exercise? Do you have fun?

Huh. I think this all depends on the instructor. I find Orange Theory to be boring and not that hard of a workout (at least the cardio portion), but the zumba classes/instructors at my gym go hard and kick our butts! But I also can't stand the salsa/meringue/Pitbull stuff that's all kind of monotonous and stay away from those kinds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm pretty sure I was in your zumba classes, lol. Yeah. I love salsa and merengue and shaking dat butt, but zumba has kind of come and gone and is now populated by retirees and people not looking for a workout. Try something else. I started orangetheory a year ago and am down to a size 2. Worth it.

Oh but I just love a lively and appropriate Zumba class because I don't feel like I am exercising. Tell me about orangetheory. I think I looked in and the people looked way more athletic and coordinated than I am. Does it feel like exercise? Do you have fun?

Huh. I think this all depends on the instructor. I find Orange Theory to be boring and not that hard of a workout (at least the cardio portion), but the zumba classes/instructors at my gym go hard and kick our butts! But I also can't stand the salsa/meringue/Pitbull stuff that's all kind of monotonous and stay away from those kinds.

The cardio portion of an orangetheory class is called "running". If you run faster, it is more of a workout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm pretty sure I was in your zumba classes, lol. Yeah. I love salsa and merengue and shaking dat butt, but zumba has kind of come and gone and is now populated by retirees and people not looking for a workout. Try something else. I started orangetheory a year ago and am down to a size 2. Worth it.

Oh but I just love a lively and appropriate Zumba class because I don't feel like I am exercising. Tell me about orangetheory. I think I looked in and the people looked way more athletic and coordinated than I am. Does it feel like exercise? Do you have fun?

Huh. I think this all depends on the instructor. I find Orange Theory to be boring and not that hard of a workout (at least the cardio portion), but the zumba classes/instructors at my gym go hard and kick our butts! But I also can't stand the salsa/meringue/Pitbull stuff that's all kind of monotonous and stay away from those kinds.

The cardio portion of an orangetheory class is called "running". If you run faster, it is more of a workout.

No sh!t, but I don't need the paid mental workout of being on a dreadmill when you can run outside for free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm pretty sure I was in your zumba classes, lol. Yeah. I love salsa and merengue and shaking dat butt, but zumba has kind of come and gone and is now populated by retirees and people not looking for a workout. Try something else. I started orangetheory a year ago and am down to a size 2. Worth it.

Oh but I just love a lively and appropriate Zumba class because I don't feel like I am exercising. Tell me about orangetheory. I think I looked in and the people looked way more athletic and coordinated than I am. Does it feel like exercise? Do you have fun?

Huh. I think this all depends on the instructor. I find Orange Theory to be boring and not that hard of a workout (at least the cardio portion), but the zumba classes/instructors at my gym go hard and kick our butts! But I also can't stand the salsa/meringue/Pitbull stuff that's all kind of monotonous and stay away from those kinds.

The cardio portion of an orangetheory class is called "running". If you run faster, it is more of a workout.

Well. That sounds like it is exciting and worth the money.