Those who Zumba

I'm preparing my routines for the classes I'll be teaching and would love some input...

What type of class do you like?

One that is more cardio, more dancy, or a little of both?

What is the choreography like? Is it easy, challenging, or sometimes a bit too much?

Thanks!

Re: Those who Zumba

Like I mentioned in the other post, I take it twice a week and it is with 2 different instructors.

Instructor A: She is in her late 50's and does more dance to the latin songs that aren't to sexy if that makes sense. She also teaches pilates. She has a fun personality but if you saw her you this would be the last thing you would think she teaches because she doesn't really look like she is shape at all (she did loose a lot of weight though).
I find with her I am break a sweat within the first 10 minutes and really gets your heart rate up with the warm up. I LOVE that she wears a microphone even though I am usually behind her so I can follow her.
She also changes up her routines every 3-5 weeks so you don't get bored with it. Some of the choreography that I have problems with is the ball and chain and everyone has problems with that in the class. Her class is also high impact and I also love that.

Instructor B: She is in her 40's teaches a few classes (zumba, kickboxing, bootcamp and totalbody and they are all high impact). She has an amazing body and her class is more dance and a lot of jumping (I guess from the kickboxing). It is also high impact. She plays a lot of the same songs but as instructor A, but then she adds some others and just has younger vibe in the class even though the age range who takes it varies a lot. Her choreography is easy to follow because she shows it in slow motion a few times until majority of the class gets it. She doesn't wear a microphone but she is tall (5'10" if I had to guess) and since she shows you the steps slow first it doesn't really matter.

Now, their is a 3rd instructor that teaches the class and it was soooo boring.
a.) she didn't wear a microphone and she is only 5' if that and has a habit of standing in the middle of the first row so it is really hard to see what to do if you are in back and she doesn't have a loud voice.
b.) she constantly takes breaks and watches you
c.) she would try new routines that she would make up during the class and then would forget some of it so it was confusing.
d) it seemed slow also and I guess I was just use to the first two. It didn't seem like a fun class.

I am in NJ but what gym will you be teaching at when?

Re: Those who Zumba

I will be teaching at a fitness studio, possibly a yoga studio, and a gym near me. I won't be slow, that's for sure, or make my routines up on the fly - a big Zumba no-no. I am planning on fusing cardio with dance

Re: Those who Zumba

In my experience it's best to just make it fun and adaptable. I love choreography because I love to dance but not everyone is so coordinated and you want to appeal to all levels so as not to discourage anyone.

I think a nice combination of dance & kickboxing would suffice and you can always show various techniques depending on the particpants fitness levels. I always like the crazy teachers that play a good loud beat. I'm always the one hooting and hollering along with the instructor.

I bet you'll do great! Good luck.

Re: Those who Zumba

Posted by MrsBumbleb

In my experience it's best to just make it fun and adaptable. I love choreography because I love to dance but not everyone is so coordinated and you want to appeal to all levels so as not to discourage anyone.

I think a nice combination of dance & kickboxing would suffice and you can always show various techniques depending on the particpants fitness levels. I always like the crazy teachers that play a good loud beat. I'm always the one hooting and hollering along with the instructor.

I bet you'll do great! Good luck.