Author: Priscilla Blum
For me as well as many other college freshmen, I struggle with the fear of gaining the dreaded freshman fifteen. Although the amount of free food offered on campus makes this inevitable, I have decided take proactive measures to combat it: each week, I will try a new Cornell exercise class and report my findings.
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This week, I decided to try Zumba. I fully expected to have an enthusiastic instructor who wore a leotard over leggings with legwarmers and a neon scrunchie listening to 80s pop. This was not the case.
Photo by Priscilla Blum
Instead, the class was in Appel in a large room with no mirrors. Part of the fun of any dance class is making a fool of yourself in front of the mirror. It isn’t nearly as entertaining if you don’t get to see yourself failing miserably at the articulate dance moves.
By the end of the first song I was out of breath. I did not expect constant jumping. I also noticed that there are virtually no breaks. I was that one person in the class who kept on salsa-ing towards their water bottle mid-song.
Photo by Priscilla Blum
Towards the middle of the class I was able to follow along better and look slightly less spastic (though, still sweaty). Most of the dance moves involve fancy footwork intermingled with Latin salsa.
Ultimately, the problem I had with the class was the music. We all know that a good playlist makes or breaks a workout, especially when it comes to dance. There were way too many cringe-worthy throwbacks and Latin songs that I could not keep up with or even understand.
Photo by Priscilla Blum
Overall, I had a fun time. I learned a few new moves to bust out at a future dance party. The group aspect of the class really energized me. I recommend this class to anyone who is in a funk of constant studying. Getting out of the library and ‘boogying’ can shake up your mood and boost you to that final push! I will make an appearance at Zumba in the future, so look out for that sweaty girl who can’t dance!
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