Zoom instructions for TAF/Live online classes
New technology can be a little confusing sometimes, so we’ve put together a guide to help you set up with Zoom, which will be the way that you join our TAF/Live classes. If you have used Zoom in the past, you might use these instructions as a refresher, or have them to refer to later on if you encounter any technical difficulties.
- On your computer:
a. Open your web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari)
b. Type zoom.us/download into the address bar and press Enter
c. Look for "Zoom Client for Meetings" at the top of the page
d. Click the blue "Download" button beneath it
e. Once the file is downloaded, find it in your Downloads folder (usually at the bottom of your screen or in a separate folder)
f. Double-click the downloaded file to start the installation
g. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the installation
- On a tablet or smartphone
a. Find your device's app store (App Store for Apple devices, Google Play Store for Android)
b. Tap the search bar at the top and type "Zoom"
c. Look for "ZOOM Cloud Meetings" in the results
d. Tap "Install" or "Get" next to it
e. Wait for the app to download and install (this may take a few minutes)
f. Once installed, you'll see a "Zoom" icon on your device's home screen
2. Set up your Zoom account
- Open the Zoom application you just installed
- Click "Sign Up" if you don't have an account, or "Sign In" if you do
- To sign up:
a. Enter your email address
b. Check your email for a confirmation message from Zoom
c. Click the "Activate Account" button in the email
d. Follow the prompts to create a password and set up your account
- To sign in:
a. Enter the email and password you used when creating your account
b. Click "Sign In"
3. Test your setup
- In the Zoom application, look for and click on "Join a Test Meeting"
- This will open a test video conference
- You'll be prompted to test your speakers:
a. Click "Test Speaker" and listen for a ringtone
b. If you hear it, click "Yes" to confirm your speakers work
- Next, test your microphone:
a. Speak aloud when prompted
b. Zoom will play back what you said
c. If you hear yourself, click "Yes" to confirm your microphone works
- Finally, test your video:
a. You should see yourself on the screen
b. If you don't, make sure nothing is covering your camera
c. On a laptop, the camera is usually at the top of the screen
d. On a desktop, it might be a separate device you need to plug in
4. Prepare your space
- Choose a well-lit area where you have enough room to move safely
- Ensure there's nothing you could trip over or bump into during exercise
- Position your device (computer, tablet, or phone) so you can see the screen clearly while exercising
- Make sure your device is stable:
a. For computers, place them on a steady desk or table
b. For tablets, consider using a stand or propping them up securely
- Have a chair nearby in case you need it for balance or seated exercises
- Prepare any equipment your instructor has requested (like light weights or resistance bands)
- Have a water bottle within reach to stay hydrated during class
- About 10-15 minutes before class time, check your email for the link from Third Age Fitness
- The email might have a subject like "Your Zoom Exercise Class Link"
- Click on this link - it will usually be blue and underlined
- This link should automatically open Zoom on your device
- If it doesn't, copy the link and paste it into your web browser's address bar
2. Enter the meeting
- After clicking the link, you might see a pop-up asking if you want to open Zoom. Click "Open Zoom"
- If prompted, type in the meeting ID (a series of numbers) provided by your instructor
- You might also need to enter a password - this should be in the same email as the link
- Make sure to type these carefully, paying attention to uppercase and lowercase letters
- Click "Join Meeting" or "Join" after entering the required information
3. Connect audio and video
- Once you're in the meeting, you'll see a pop-up asking how you want to join audio
- Click "Join with Computer Audio" - this uses your device's built-in microphone and speakers
- If you see a message asking to use your camera, click "Allow" or "OK"
- This gives Zoom permission to use your device's camera so others can see you
4. Turn on your video
- Look at the bottom of the Zoom window for a row of icons
- Find the camera icon (usually the second from the left)
- If there's a red line through it, your video is off
- Click it once to turn on your video - you should now see yourself on the screen
5. Adjust your view
- In the top-right corner of the Zoom window, you'll see "View" options
- Click "Speaker View" to focus on whoever is speaking (usually the instructor)
- This makes it easier to follow along with the exercises
- If you want to see other participants, click "Gallery View"
- You can switch between these views at any time during the class
- Find the microphone icon in the bottom-left corner of the Zoom window
- Click it once to mute yourself - a red line will appear through the icon
- This helps reduce background noise for everyone in the class
- To unmute temporarily, you can hold down the spacebar while you speak
2. Position your device
- Adjust your device so the camera can see your full body if possible
- This allows the instructor to check your form and provide feedback
- Make sure you can see your screen clearly from your exercise position
- If using a phone or tablet, make sure it's secure and won't fall during movement
3. Participate in the class
- Follow along with the instructor's movements
- Don't worry if you can't do everything perfectly - go at your own pace
- If you need to ask a question, you have two options:
a. Unmute yourself temporarily by holding down the space bar while you speak
b. Unmute yourself by clicking the microphone icon in the bottom-left corner of the Zoom window
- The instructor will be unable to read and respond to messages in the Chat until after class has finished for everyone.
4. Stay in speaker view
- To focus on the instructor throughout the class, remain in "Speaker View"
- If you accidentally switch views, you can change back:
a. Look for "View" in the top-right corner of the Zoom window
b. Click it and select "Speaker View"
5. After class
- The instructor will leave time for questions at the end
- Feel free to unmute yourself and ask anything you're unsure about
- To leave the class, click the red "Leave" button in the bottom-right corner of the Zoom window
- You'll see a confirmation message - click "Leave Meeting" to exit
If during class you have trouble with the sound or picture, please use our Zoom Troubleshooting Guide to identify and resolve the issue.
Remember, it's perfectly normal to take some time to get comfortable with Zoom. Don't worry if you make mistakes or feel confused at first – everyone does when they're learning something new. With each class, you'll become more confident using the technology, allowing you to focus more on enjoying your exercise routine and the benefits it brings to your health and wellbeing. If you're ever unsure, don't hesitate to ask your instructor or a family member for help. Enjoy your online exercise classes!
Before your first class
1. Download and install Zoom- On your computer:
a. Open your web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari)
b. Type zoom.us/download into the address bar and press Enter
c. Look for "Zoom Client for Meetings" at the top of the page
d. Click the blue "Download" button beneath it
e. Once the file is downloaded, find it in your Downloads folder (usually at the bottom of your screen or in a separate folder)
f. Double-click the downloaded file to start the installation
g. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the installation
- On a tablet or smartphone
a. Find your device's app store (App Store for Apple devices, Google Play Store for Android)
b. Tap the search bar at the top and type "Zoom"
c. Look for "ZOOM Cloud Meetings" in the results
d. Tap "Install" or "Get" next to it
e. Wait for the app to download and install (this may take a few minutes)
f. Once installed, you'll see a "Zoom" icon on your device's home screen
2. Set up your Zoom account
- Open the Zoom application you just installed
- Click "Sign Up" if you don't have an account, or "Sign In" if you do
- To sign up:
a. Enter your email address
b. Check your email for a confirmation message from Zoom
c. Click the "Activate Account" button in the email
d. Follow the prompts to create a password and set up your account
- To sign in:
a. Enter the email and password you used when creating your account
b. Click "Sign In"
3. Test your setup
- In the Zoom application, look for and click on "Join a Test Meeting"
- This will open a test video conference
- You'll be prompted to test your speakers:
a. Click "Test Speaker" and listen for a ringtone
b. If you hear it, click "Yes" to confirm your speakers work
- Next, test your microphone:
a. Speak aloud when prompted
b. Zoom will play back what you said
c. If you hear yourself, click "Yes" to confirm your microphone works
- Finally, test your video:
a. You should see yourself on the screen
b. If you don't, make sure nothing is covering your camera
c. On a laptop, the camera is usually at the top of the screen
d. On a desktop, it might be a separate device you need to plug in
4. Prepare your space
- Choose a well-lit area where you have enough room to move safely
- Ensure there's nothing you could trip over or bump into during exercise
- Position your device (computer, tablet, or phone) so you can see the screen clearly while exercising
- Make sure your device is stable:
a. For computers, place them on a steady desk or table
b. For tablets, consider using a stand or propping them up securely
- Have a chair nearby in case you need it for balance or seated exercises
- Prepare any equipment your instructor has requested (like light weights or resistance bands)
- Have a water bottle within reach to stay hydrated during class
Joining your exercise class
1. Open the class link- About 10-15 minutes before class time, check your email for the link from Third Age Fitness
- The email might have a subject like "Your Zoom Exercise Class Link"
- Click on this link - it will usually be blue and underlined
- This link should automatically open Zoom on your device
- If it doesn't, copy the link and paste it into your web browser's address bar
2. Enter the meeting
- After clicking the link, you might see a pop-up asking if you want to open Zoom. Click "Open Zoom"
- If prompted, type in the meeting ID (a series of numbers) provided by your instructor
- You might also need to enter a password - this should be in the same email as the link
- Make sure to type these carefully, paying attention to uppercase and lowercase letters
- Click "Join Meeting" or "Join" after entering the required information
3. Connect audio and video
- Once you're in the meeting, you'll see a pop-up asking how you want to join audio
- Click "Join with Computer Audio" - this uses your device's built-in microphone and speakers
- If you see a message asking to use your camera, click "Allow" or "OK"
- This gives Zoom permission to use your device's camera so others can see you
4. Turn on your video
- Look at the bottom of the Zoom window for a row of icons
- Find the camera icon (usually the second from the left)
- If there's a red line through it, your video is off
- Click it once to turn on your video - you should now see yourself on the screen
5. Adjust your view
- In the top-right corner of the Zoom window, you'll see "View" options
- Click "Speaker View" to focus on whoever is speaking (usually the instructor)
- This makes it easier to follow along with the exercises
- If you want to see other participants, click "Gallery View"
- You can switch between these views at any time during the class
During the class
1. Mute yourself- Find the microphone icon in the bottom-left corner of the Zoom window
- Click it once to mute yourself - a red line will appear through the icon
- This helps reduce background noise for everyone in the class
- To unmute temporarily, you can hold down the spacebar while you speak
2. Position your device
- Adjust your device so the camera can see your full body if possible
- This allows the instructor to check your form and provide feedback
- Make sure you can see your screen clearly from your exercise position
- If using a phone or tablet, make sure it's secure and won't fall during movement
3. Participate in the class
- Follow along with the instructor's movements
- Don't worry if you can't do everything perfectly - go at your own pace
- If you need to ask a question, you have two options:
a. Unmute yourself temporarily by holding down the space bar while you speak
b. Unmute yourself by clicking the microphone icon in the bottom-left corner of the Zoom window
- The instructor will be unable to read and respond to messages in the Chat until after class has finished for everyone.
4. Stay in speaker view
- To focus on the instructor throughout the class, remain in "Speaker View"
- If you accidentally switch views, you can change back:
a. Look for "View" in the top-right corner of the Zoom window
b. Click it and select "Speaker View"
5. After class
- The instructor will leave time for questions at the end
- Feel free to unmute yourself and ask anything you're unsure about
- To leave the class, click the red "Leave" button in the bottom-right corner of the Zoom window
- You'll see a confirmation message - click "Leave Meeting" to exit
If during class you have trouble with the sound or picture, please use our Zoom Troubleshooting Guide to identify and resolve the issue.
Remember, it's perfectly normal to take some time to get comfortable with Zoom. Don't worry if you make mistakes or feel confused at first – everyone does when they're learning something new. With each class, you'll become more confident using the technology, allowing you to focus more on enjoying your exercise routine and the benefits it brings to your health and wellbeing. If you're ever unsure, don't hesitate to ask your instructor or a family member for help. Enjoy your online exercise classes!
Book into your next class now!
SIGN UP NOW to stay in touch with Carol for news and resources,
and join the conversation on our Facebook page for older adults and seniors.
Where to next?
Home page | Where to Start | Member Profiles | Health Hub | Trudi's 10Walking Tips | Recipes | Club Fundraising | Older Adults Hub | All Pages Index