Tips for Zumba Instructors
Hi friends! IT’S FRIDAY <3 So happy to see the weekend again. What are you up to tonight?
Sorry no blog last night, but very important things were happening.
[That’s a butternut squash my nana left for me at my mom’s house. She knows me so well]
Ok, not at all, but it ended up being a very chill and relaxing night. The Pilot flew late again, so after taking Bella to the park for a nightly walk, instead of just coming home, I really felt like going to hang out with the fam. I haven’t been going over there as much since the house is farther away, and it was so nice to chat with the madre, watch X Factor, and unplug for an evening. When I went to leash Bella up to leave, she hid, per usual. She loves the madre’s.
Some recent eats:
Snacks and salad beast [with arugula, goat cheese and a leftover bean burger] taken to work
Egg-stada with 2 eggs, mustard, spinach, goat gouda
Toast
I have my gestational diabetes test this morning, so I’m off to chug the sugary orange drink, get robbed of blood and then meet a friend at Nordstrom Rack.
I’ve been enjoying a little more simple sugar this week to warm my body up for the 50g that’s coming its way…
[These.are.amazing]
I’ll be back with a Family post re-cap on how it goes!
Have a fabulous Friday <3
xoxo
Gina
Today’s tip: Is for fellow Zumba instructors, or those who would like to teach Zumba eventually:
I’m definitely not a Zumba pro –I’ve taught for only 3 years- and am not an educator -would LOVE to be in the future- but I receive quite a few comments and questions about tips for Zumba interviews and teaching classes. Here are some of the things that have helped me:
[Also applicable to other dance fitness classes]
1. Know your music and choreography.
This one may seem like a given, but it still shocks me to take a Zumba class and the instructor keeps going after the music has ended, or forgets their choreography. [Occasional mistakes happen –in this case, just keep going and pretend like it was nothing- but when it occurs repeatedly throughout class, it can be a major distraction and also effect the quality of the workout for the participants.
As far as the music goes, pick songs that you LOVE. These should be songs that you can rock out to in your car, and you choose to because you enjoy them so much. This will help you learn the music- especially the little extra beats or rhythm changes that can be thrown in there. If your music doesn’t pump you up, how will it pump up your class? Oh yeah- it won’t.
2. Make a playlist, but be ready to change it.
Have a playlist set and ready to go, so that you aren’t fumbling with your iPod or CDs in between songs. It will help the flow of the class so much, and this way you can plan it out so you aren’t doing the same types of rhythm in a row [3 reggaeton songs right after another can get old fast].
That being said, be ready to assess your class and change your playlist as needed. Sometimes I’ll have a group of people that can handle more intense choreography or music, while others need a more mellow class. Use the warm-up and first song (both should be fairly easy to build confidence) as an assessment point to see if your playlist will work and if you’ll need to add or skip certain songs.
3. Have fun and get excited. Make it a party!! Don’t feel like partying? Fake it ‘til you make it.
Zumba’s whole slogan is “ditch the workout, join the party.” Try to live up to that- yell, clap to the beat or shake your hips as the song is starting, make grito mexicano sounds (my personal fave), and tell them what a great job they’re doing. An easy way to get your class *into it* is to play with them. Don’t be afraid to pump and shake with a lucky person in the front row, face the class as much as possible, use facial expressions, and have fun.
Of course everyone has days where the last thing in the world they want to do is teach. Fake it. After the warmup, chances are that you’ll be good to go.
4. Focus on your own personal strengths.
Very few people are amazing at every single type of rhythm, and that’s ok. Have one that you hate or is just a weak point? Skip it. About 70% of class should be Latin-inspired beats, but there are so many out there. If you aren’t a merengue fan, choose something else. You can still keep the class authentic without using rhythms you aren’t comfortable with.
5. Dress the part.
I used to think that this wasn’t such a big deal, but have learned with time that people really like the crazy Zumba gear. The more funky colors, the better, and it helps set you apart from everyone else in class. The only bummer is that Zumba gear is kind of pricey, but with ZIN membership you get a discount – they also have pretty good sales.
When you take a dance fitness class, what makes or breaks it for you?
Never taken Zumba before? Here’s a Focus On post describing what you can expect in a class 🙂
76 Comments
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I love me some zumba! I have actually thought about becoming certified to teach, but I don’t think my bootay shaking is good enough 🙂
mine wasn’t at first either- i was used to more classic styles of dance- but when you practice, and stop trying so hard, you get better. don’t be afraid!
Good luck at your appointment! Can’t wait to hear about it– that test makes me nervous, for some reason.
Have fun at the Rack!! And the test really isn’t too much of a biggie. Yes it’s sweet but the deals at the Rack will be even sweeter 🙂
Have fun shopping and have a super weekend, Gina!
if the choreography isn’t fun and challenging-I’m out. I love it to be fun and new!!!
yes, that’s a good one, too! lame choreography KILLS me.
after reading this I appreciate my zumba teacher even more! she sure rocks as hell!!
good luck with that test!
Love this post!! I know that myself (and a bunch of other readers) said that we’d love to hear you post more about Zumba (back when you asked readers what we’d like to see more of on here) and I love that you have been posting more about it ever since then 😉
You give such great tips here. I am a new instructor (4 months) and I agree with pretty much everything. One I’d like to add is to BE YOURSELF…while I do think it’s fun to go to classes where Zumba instructors are yelling and being loud while pumping people up, if that’s not your style, don’t sweat it. I know instructors who literally don’t make a peep for the entire class yet they pack the room with 50 people every week! I am not a very loud teacher by nature, and in the beginning I worried that people wouldn’t like me because I wasn’t “fun” enough. Now, a few months in, I realize that yes, there are people who may not like my style, and that’s OK because I can’t be everyone’s favorite. There are soooooo many Zumba instructors out there, so there is definitely one that’s good for every student 🙂 Being yourself is better and will get you more regular students than trying to be someone you’re not.
Also, an AFAA or ACE group fitness certification is something that can only make you a better instructor, so I’d add that to your list too. I passed my AFAA (I was all worried over nothing!) and your post with AFAA tips helped me a lot 😉
Good luck on ur test today! Hopefully it breezes by 🙂
i bought those dark chocolate PB cups from TJ’s in preparation for a hurricane …which turned out to be not much at all..but those things are addictive. I’m not allowed to have them in my house anymore, sad to say.
I totally agree with knowing your choreography and music. When I teach (Jazzercise, not Zumba), I really take time to know my routines because I know that missing a beat in the music or missing a musical cue can be really distracting…not only for the students but for the instructor too! I know mistakes happen, but I really try to prevent them!
I think I saw on twitter you are doing a three hour GD test… How come? I took mine a few weeks ago and mine was only a one hour, so I was just curious. Oh, and also, good luck!
no, i just have to be there for 3 hours- to take the drink, sit there for an hour, get my blood taken and then a midwife appointment right after
Oh… Gotcha. I am sure you will pass with flying colors!
ha! that butternut squash is awesome!! hope the appointment goes well 🙂
peanut butter and dark chocolate is to die for!
the one thing i’m super excited about for when/if i become a zumba instructor is dressing the part, my bf thinks i’m a little bonkers, but the clothes look like so much fun!!
Great post Gina! I have to say that I’m not a Zumbie, but I really think the tips you give can apply to other fitness classes too. For me, the instructor and the music are the main things that make a class great – or terrible. Knowing choreography is key. I’m definitely not one of those people that can just improvise on the fly with no prep (I know a few people that are and I have no idea how they do it – experience I guess). And even though I don’t do Zumba, I still think the clothes are pretty cool!
I’ve never taken Zumba but I’m looking for a class in my area now that I have my work schedule figure out! Definitely sounds like my kind of exercise 🙂
Love the b-nut squash “hat”
Your nana and I both must have butternut squash on the brain — I just posted a recipe for spiced bunt squash soup. Still dreaming about it! And I’m with you on the PB cups. My husband and I bought five containers in two months! We had to quit cold turkey. 😉
That’s supposed to say “spiced b-nut squash soup.” lol
The squash on the head is priceless . . . I’m ashamed to admit we do some pretty obscenely funny things with out produce – I might as well be a 12 year old boy! Good luck with your blood work and enjoy shopping – have a fantastic weekend.
Mo
Omg I’m OBSESSED with the dark choc pb cubs from Trader Joe’s – they ARE amazing!!!
that squash is amazing, haha! You are too funny!!
Happy Weekend love! xo
good luck at your appointment! nordstrom rack sounds like the best pick-you-up for afterward.. good luck there too!!! =)
Woah, that’s a crazy looking butternut squash!
Hope your appointment goes well today. 🙂
Two things- One, I need those dark chocolate peanut butter cups in my life, and two, those Zumba tips are awesome and so true! I also think it’s important once you’ve been teaching for a little while to slowly add in new choreography- once I had several dances memorized I started adding in new ones one at a time which makes it so much easier and more fun to teach! I remember stressing out so much when I first started because it was a lot of choreography to memorize, but now that I’ve been teaching for almost a year I have a lot of dances and can add in new ones gradually. And I love teaching it too!
still have not done Zumba EVER…I want to!
Those lil pb cups are soooo darn good. I am always stocked. 🙂
What great tips for Zumba teachers. I hope that you GD test went great.
Love unplugging and spending time with the fam! Glad you got to enjoy that last night!!
All this Zumba stuff … I really need to get on this train! I miss dancing!
Thanks for the advice. I’ve been thinking of becoming a fitness instructors and these are awesome tips. Music absolutely makes or breaks the class for me. The first time I took a spinning class I HATED it. Then a few years later I tried again and learned to appreciate what a great workout it is … the turning point by far was the musical selection. Hope the test went well.
I get bored when the instructor does the same exact songs week after week. I just stopped going to my class because I was getting bored and not trying all that hard. I think I’ll start back up again in a few weeks to reassess. Oh, and my dog hates leaving my mom’s house, too!
I really can’t wait to give Zumba a try; I love dancing and love working out so it seems the perfect marriage of the two – I just haven’t found the time. It is my fall mission to hit up a Zumba class!
Good luck at your appointment!! I’m thinking happy, sugary thoughts for you!
that orange drink doesn’t seem so bad…until you’re half through. good luck! dont breath if you can make it (although you feel like youre in college again and pounding a “real drink”)
Smoking Crayolas Blogspot
I’ve only done Zumba once, but my favorite part was that the instructor had all of these jingly things in all different colors to wear around our waists. It was such fun. In dance cardio classes in general, I like choreography that is challenging but also something I can pick up by the end of the song, and it definitely needs to vary from song to song. I took a lyrical jazz fitness class once that I would have loved if she introduced more than one routine to class.
A friend posted a picture of her manicure on FB today and I HAD to Google it. Have you heard of Magnetic Nail Polish?! You can buy different types of magnets for different designs. This seems like something right up your alley to try! I want to try it…but I need to get rid of my Shellac mani first.
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/fashion/stylephile/2011/10/magnetic_nail_p.html
Those cups are the best! Are they in the fridge???
Thank you for the Zumba instructor tips! I’m on my way to becoming a zumba instructor right now. I’ve never loved a fitness class more than I have loved Zumba. Can’t wait to start teaching it!
I love when instructors are excited and into it, but I HATE when they yell at you. It makes me want to punch them in the face (which I guess is the whole point!)
I was thisClose to getting Zumba certified last month (even paid for my spot at the seminar) but decided at the last minute that I don’t think teaching Zumba was for me. I love to take the classes, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t think I had the spicy personality to do it. I’d love to take one of your classes on day…in the military you never know. 🙂
Have a great weekend!!
I have been thinking about getting certified for Zumba for a while now. Pretty soon I’m just going to have to take the leap and go for it! It seems like so much fun.
I love Zumba, and I took classes twice a week for 2 years until we moved. I completely agree with the tip about knowing the choreography!! The instructor of one of my classes NEVER knew the choreography, and when she would mess up, she would always say stupid things like “oh, I was just testing you guys to see if you remembered the steps”. She did that EVERY. WEEK. I was so annoyed I stopped going to the class for a while, and eventually the gym replaced her, so I figured people probably complained about it.
Thank you so much for the Zumba tips! And perfect timing too – I teach my first class on Tuesday, and was literally planning it when I decided to take a break and check some blogs!
My dog does the same thing! I used to feel bad about it because my sister’s dog goes to sit in front of the door blocking it if she thinks my sister might be leaving without her. She hates being left anywhere without my sister. But my dog tries to hide or “wander off” if she sees me getting ready to leave my parents’ house. Just yesterday, we were at M&D’s and I started collecting stuff to get ready to go – I look over and my dog is over sitting next to my mom, leaning on her like “don’t let her take me!” Funny.
I love the Zumba music, but haven’t done it in a long, long time! 🙂 That grey shirt is pretty cute though!
I love Zumba! I will say I was turned off by one instructor at my gym that made us grapevine through pretty much the entire class. Ugh. I hate it when the choreography stinks. Another time one of my favorite songs came on and I was super pumped, but then she completely ruined it by being off beat. I try to avoid her classes, but they have made me want to look into teaching! I think I could choreograph some pretty fun dances. Maybe one day!
What an awesome squash! Such a cool shape!
Good tips! I just got my certification last month. I haven’t turned in my application to the local YMCA yet because I know they’d want me to start working right away and I’m admittedly a little nervous! These tips make me less nervous, because I do already know a LOT of music and choreography. 🙂
i’m sure you’ll rock it out, then!
I would LOVE to be Zumba certified when I start college next year!! Its my goal!! (:
Love the squash, and I am so glad that you got a chance to chill with your fam. All those Zumba tips are awesome too, especially knowing your choreography. So.very.important
These were such helpful tips! I’m studying to be a personal trainer right now (!!) so it really hit home for me. Especially the party like a rockstar part. Half the battle will be bringing the energy!
I seriously could not have found your site and this post at a more perfect time! I am scheduled to do Zumba Teacher Training at the beginning of Nov, and aside from being just a little nervous- I am completely STOKED.
I also saw you are expecting (via others comments)? Best of luck with baby!! I am a stay at home mom (my son just turned 2), semi-retired paramedical esthetician, avid blogger, and, now soon-to-be, Zumba Instructor 🙂 I couldn’t think of anything better to get back into the working world without over extending my time away from my boys, but still doing something fun, productive, and healthy 😉
Thanks so much for the tips!!
Blessings,
~L
This was an inspiring post – I’m scheduled to get my Zumba instructor certification next weekend, so it was very timely for me. Right now I’ve got the choreography memorized for a few of my favorite songs, but it’s hard to imagine memorizing a whole class yet. Would love to see more posts about instructing Zumba! Thank you.
whoo hoo! you’ll love the process- the master class in the beginning is AMAZING. you’ll be fine- i’d just work on learning a new dance every day or so and practice the ones you already know. before you know it, you’ll have a full class amount of content
Thanks for the tip! Very encouraging! I’m super excited for the master class – it’s with Jani Roberts, and everyone says she’s great.
i took my basics with jani and she is INSANELY AMAZING. you will love her!!
Am really glad i found this blog!! Thank you so much for your tips and ideas!!!
I am also a Zumba instructor for a few months now and i LOVE it!!! I reduced my teaching hours lately because of work commitments, but i can’t wait to get back on track and start teaching Zumba Toning in a few weeks as well!!!
In addition to your tips, i just wanted to say one more thing:
you should ENJOY and LOVE what you are doing so that others enjoy your classes as well!!!
Loads of Zumba love 🙂
M.
thanks so much for saying hi, m! 🙂 zumba love to you <3
I am in love with zumba!! I mean I do it every where! I have been doing it for 10 months and have absolutely fallen in love with it. My teacher recommends that I become a zumba instructor because I have so much energy and make each class with her a blast!! I still have to wait 2 years though considering that I am so young. Only 14 which makes it hard for me to wait since it is so much fun! I already have a playlist for when I do become an instructor. Even though I change it frequently as it is. LOVE ZUMBA!!! It’s the best!! Try it if you haven’t. I was hooked from day one!