What happened? Did you two get in a fistfight? Name calling? What was the reaction from the class?

I've had this experience too, OP, well...except for the pushing and hell breaking loose. I would say either find a new class, pick a different spot, or just be a little more polite when you stand your ground. When I've felt hemmed in by people in zumba, I force myself to just focus on the music and the moves, and assume people will get out of my way. If they don't, I apologize for bumping them but usually it takes just one bump for someone to get the hint and move over a little. I definitely wouldn't push someone if i were you. Are you sure you're allowed to come back to that class after hell breaking loose?

While your post made me laugh also, I have to agree with you. I purposefully stand in the back corner so I can have more room. I've been going to the same class for many months so I know all of the moves and don' t need to watch the instructor closely to know the steps. But, the newbies and latecomers want to squeeze into the back row and seem to push me more and more forward throughout the class.

I've actually had someone come in after the class had started and stand so close behind me that I stepped right on her when the dance steps have you take a few steps backwards and I didn't see that she had come in. She did apologize but then didn't move then or after that song.

I held my ground and finally she got the hint and moved to another space. But, I will say that if I was in a postiion that was in the middle of the room I do feel that people have to adjust their spots to accomodate the growing class size. I try to avoid this disruption by standing in the back corner.

Were there fisticuffs? What do you mean, "all hell broke loose"?

Anonymous wrote:did you push her down?

Show her who's boss.

did you push her down?

You really need to get a grip -- or else get a different, less crowded class.

People like you shouldn't take group exercise classes.

This is like step was in the 90s. Seriously, invest yourself less in this. It's just a fitness class. Not worth the emotional energy. And zumba is a pretty lame workout anyway.

This is why I don't go to zumba classes.

If you have been going awhile, do you need to see everything? Could you move to the back and have more room? Or go somewhere else?

I get your concern but... you post made me laugh. Maybe you can find a less crowded class?

I've been going to a Zumba studio for a couple of months. I get there about 15 min before the class...usually I am one of the first people there...I get to pick out my spot and place my water directly in front of where I am standing. I choose the front row next to the instructor so that I can see everything she does...Invariably, when the studio fills up, my space seems to get smaller and smaller...I have spoken to the owner about this because I am concerned that I am going to get hurt and he assured me that he will make sure that there is proper spacing. I always try to be extra sensitive to my dance mates and
usually I end up behind the instructor because people come in late and go into the first row, moving everyone down another foot. Noone seems to say anything...and when I asked the person next to me to move a bit forward so that I can perch diagonally behind her, she didn't seem to get it. We kept hitting our hands together...I could have moved to another place in the studio, I guess I should have, but
I can't stand when I'm the one that's getting ousted from my spot..so I took my original place and when we started dancing I pushed her out of the way...needless to say all hell broke loose.
Are people that stupid? Why can't they get it, that you need to spread your arms out, not to be 2 inches from your neighbor...what is this with being so close?
Isn't it up to the instructor and owner to have rules about conducting a class in a safe environment?