Being a Zumba Instructor: Behind the Scenes
I have been a certified Zumba instructor for a little over three years now, and currently teach two classes per week at a boutique fitness studio in Maryland. There is a lot of work that goes into preparing to teach a Zumba class.
So, what is Zumba?
Zumba is a group fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance choreography for a fantastic cardiovascular workout. Zumba classes should be composed of a variety of different dance rhythms and styles, including salsa, cumbia, bachata, merengue, and reggaetón. Each Zumba class is usually one hour long and is taught by instructors licensed by Zumba Fitness, LLC.
Learning new songs:
Knowing my clientele is essential. I learn new songs based on what I know my clients will enjoy. I am part of the Zumba® Instructor Network (ZIN), so I receive exclusive choreography from Zumba every other month. While Zumba instructors are allowed to choreograph their own routines, I prefer to learn the official Zumba choreography. However, I often change some of the individual moves and add in my own choreography. I try to learn a new song every 2–3 weeks, often listening to the song on replay while going over the moves in my head.
Part of learning new choreography involves learning when and how to cue the different moves. I use my hands and fingers to give the students a heads-up as to what move is about to come next as well as the number of times a dance move will be repeated. This allows the clients to be able to follow the choreography with greater ease.
Making the playlist:
Creating the playlist definitely takes time and thought. I usually teach about 14 songs per class, and I have about 50 songs in my repertoire. I like to mix it up for each class. But not too much. There needs to be a balance so that the clients can start to become familiar and confident with the choreography. But the playlists should not be so repetitive that the regular clients become bored with the songs. I usually make the playlist about an hour before class, but sometimes change up the playlist last minute after seeing which clients arrive. If there are a bunch of new students, I might switch to another one of my playlists that includes more choreography that is easier to follow. I also have a go-to playlist for when I sub Zumba classes at other locations.
Starting Class:
Part of being a Zumba instructor is making sure that each student — both new and returning — feels comfortable and welcomed. If there is a new client, I will give a little speech at the beginning of each class, explaining my specific teaching method and what to expect. I emphasize that my class is a judgment-free zone and that there is no need to get the moves right or feel self-conscious. I try to stress that my class is a safe and friendly environment to dance around, burn calories, and have a fantastic time.
