Taking a live music inspired fitness class at home can have its frustrations. Here are some tips for making sure you're enjoying the class instead of lamenting the poor sound or image quality.
Getting connected on Zoom
- Go to Zoom and create an account. For the best experience use a laptop or a tablet, but I've used an iPhone and it works well, too! After you enter your first meeting, an extension will be downloaded to your device and will have an icon you can use for all future meetings.
- When you are ready for class, enter the meeting ID and password I provide you.
- Get ready for action!
- You may experience some lag time, depending on the quality of your WiFi/internet connectivity.
- WiFi is good, but if you are using a laptop you may want to connect to the internet with an ethernet cable.
- If using WiFi, make sure that other devices are off WiFi, if possible, even if you are not actively using them. This will increase your bandwidth for your livestreaming experience. You may want to negotiate with others in the house about their Netflix or gaming times (these take up a lot of bandwidth). Static websites will not take any more bandwidth once they are loaded. Microwaves will also use up bandwidth!
- For the best sound quality, wear wireless ear buds.
- If you are using a laptop or tablet, you can also plug in an external speaker in your headphone jack for better sound.
- It is really fun to see yourself dancing and to see yourself dancing with everyone else! However you may notice that your sound may improve if you turn your own video off (but if it sounds fine, yes we want to see you!!). Do keep your mic off when possible. And then do turn it back on when we are all saying hello or goodbye, or checking in about particular issues or to see how you are doing!
- A non-carpeted surface works best. If you are dancing on carpet, be mindful of your turns and twists.
- Clear the area of all obstructions - furniture, shoes, cables, wires, area rugs, etc.
- This time is your time, so make sure you are present in body and mind.
- Grab a bottle of water.
- Have a towel close by.
- If you are doing a weight class with me and you have dumbbells, be sure to have a heavier and lighter set. We do a lot of repetitions and you may need to switch out.
- If you don't have dumbbells, go into your pantry and grab a couple of cans of soup or any two cans of the same weight. We work with what we've got!