I am editing myself for niceness and my gut said to give this a 2 star. I have been holding off on the off-chance that I may need to go back there but I have admitted to myself that I won't, so I am comfortable sharing this review now. The data:
BACKSTORY: I took UJam at Santa Clara Rec, and it was amazing. I have previously taken Zumba, before it became a thing, and it is a fast-paced Latin-rhythm aerobics class that demands a lot of fast and intricate footwork. Especially for beginners, and people with mobility issues, I have never approved of Zumba, although everyone raves about it. They rave about it because the music is fun and upbeat and people are friendly -- but to be realistic, the footwork goes at a pace that I think can be unsafe if you are not already very used to aerobics and swift dancing and well coordinated and comfortable with following quick choreography in groups. For this reason, UJam is my preference; while there can be fast choregraphy, it breaks up frequently, etc.
I am a heavier girl, and had to begin a journey (we're all on it, whatever our levels of health). I needed to fill my calendar with dancing and fitness, so I took the free sample classes at RA, including trying out their Hot Hula, their Zumba, and their UJam. I am not going to name names right now, but the "energetic" instructor for Zumba is not good at articulating or guiding (aka, teaching) -- and while she is energetic, I never felt she was *safe.* When people tell you that you are beginner not to take her class, there is a reason. You could injure yourself trying to keep up with her, and there is no guidance on modification, etc. (also an issue with Zumba overall, as you see above, I have reservations about that fitness form). I have also experienced better UJam classes elsewhere. Same for Hot Hula. Just all around better teaching. These teachers have to start somewhere, and I want them to be successfull -- just know that you will be a bit of a guinea pig, and your fitness experience may not be optimized for your best results.
Aside from that, if you are into DANCING -- the art of dancing, and you are trying to actually get better at DANCING -- you will not necessarily find that in MOST of the classes. This is harsh, but, if you are beginner, and trying to experiment -- which I was -- this serves a purpose. But to be perfectly honest, I have shopped hard in my area and been to MANY studios, and I belong to SEVERAL now, because I have learned a valuable lesson -- you will not learn, grow, and advance in your fitness and health unless you are inspired. And if you dont' know what you are missing, you could be expanding your potential, and challenging yourself in ways you never conceived of. My first UJam instructor (SC Rec) totally spoiled me -- she's an amazing dancer and teacher. I have experienced several instructors all over and you can tell A instructors from B and C and RA ... has never reliably inspired me to, say, drive 30 min out of my way to come there. But I have definitely found those instructors for UJam and Hot Hula, for example, elsewhere locally.
I am trying to be kind and realize you may still feel this is harsh, but that's just how it is. Several of the teachers may lack rhythm, not articulate steps and just start dancing without prepping you or showing you anything, not adjust you for proper form for safety, or even just start late cuz they're disorganized and a little lost.
The staff are very nice; they have a class pass. I literally bought a 20 class pass guys. It has at least 3 classes left on it. From a year ago. I found better teachers and facilities elsewhere and just ... never could justify going back. It was a gap filler for me, not a place I really WANTED to go.
The gym below -- a kid's gym, very very smelly, and that smell travels upstairs, b/c during the day the studio is clearly also a tumbling room for the main facility. Windows don't open, tiny room, no ventilation. They DO have A/C -- it just works poorly in a tall warehouse room with poor insulation. They use little floor fans to augment -- it's not enough. In the dead of summer -- stinky and uncomfortable and crowded and close. I don't mind a shared facility and I think it gets the job done, I'd just rather go elsewhere and experience better teachers and facilities. read more