Kasia’s story:
Why I love Zumba!

Having been inspired to try something new for the New Year, Be Well member Kasia explains why she’s absolutely loving Zumba at Wigan Life Centre…

As an uncoordinated, unfit 30-something who failed at grade
1 ballet at the age of 6 (no really!), I never anticipated doing, trying, much less enjoying a dance-based fitness class.

But in the spirit of a new year, I went along to a Zumba class at Wigan Life Centre. And loved it!

I know everyone always says that exercise boosts your endorphins, puts you in a good mood… and in theory I know that’s true. But I’m sure I’m not alone in having been to classes or gyms that just made me feel rubbish about myself and come out swearing I would never go back.

This is not one of them. I can honestly say I come out of Zumba class with a real smile on my face and a bounce in my step.

It’s much more than just feeling good after a workout or a justified smug feeling for having done it.

This class is a judgement-free zone. It really doesn’t matter if you go right when everyone else went left, or you have completely lost track of which foot is supposed to be going first. As long as you’re there, moving with the beat and giving it a go, it’s all good!

And I promise you will surprise yourself! You’ll think, ‘I’m never going to get that bit!’ but with a bit of willingness to have a go, it will suddenly click, and you’ll be grape-vining, squatting and spinning along with everyone else. The instructor also just makes it so much fun.

You get a good sweat on to some great tracks and have a go at daft moves that, if you’re anything like me, you were probably too self-conscious to do in your clubbing days!

I was not a wiggler, someone who shimmied, and I wouldn’t have known a body roll if I accidentally whacked myself in the face with one.

But I do them all at Zumba, feel great doing it, and, if I look a little silly? Well, who cares. So does everyone else!

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t finish work and go running over to the Life Centre, buzzing to be at the gym. Most of the time, I don’t want to go.

But after a few short weeks, I already know that I will 100 per cent come out of that class feeling happier than when I went in.

And for me that’s the most important thing about it.

Kasia – Be Well member

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