How to choreograph a zumba dance routine
Creating a New Zumba Routine
Zumba routines are fast-paced cardio dynamos that help students forget they’re even working out. In today’s fitness deep dive, we’ll cover everything instructors need to know about creating the perfect routine for eager Zumba students.
The Origins of Zumba
Zumba has a relatively short history compared to other forms of exercise and dance. In 1998, Alberto “Beto” Perez founded Zumba in Columbia. An aerobic instructor, Perez found himself in a predicament one day before class. He had forgotten the class music. Pulling out the only music he had with him, salsa and merengue, Perez decided to wing it. The fusion of latin dance and aerobics was an immediate hit.
Originally the spanish word for party - rumba - and the common aerobic class jazzercise were combined to name this new form of dance exercise rumbacise. Later the exotic aerobic blend was coined Zumba. Now Zumba has certified instructors in 125 countries around the world.
Becoming a Zumba Instructor
As the world of Zumba has exploded throughout many countries, the need for teachers grew with it. Zumba is a high-intensity cardio aerobic exercise class. Having the right certification, as with any other fitness profession, is absolutely essential.
The ZIN™ Academy is one of the largest and most recognized professional networks of Zumba. ZIN™ offers a subscription with a wide range of certifications and specialty classes for instructors to hone their skills.
Do Zumba Instructors Need a Dance Background?
A common concern for those looking into the career as a Zumba instructor is whether or not they need a background in ballroom or classical dance. While the muscle memory created through formal training could be very beneficial, it is not necessary for Zumba. The steps are supposed to be simple and easy to learn.
Zumba classes are for individuals who are looking for fun exercise—the motto being “Ditch the Workout, Join the Party”.
An experienced instructor needs to have taken part in many Zumba classes, as well as continued education, before venturing into a teaching role.
A Closer Look at a Zumba Dance Sequence
With any good aerobics, Zumba dances need a good up beat song to put the movements to. A typical dance can last the length of one full length song. The average choreography would last approximately three and a half minutes. The dance should be contained to a small area, allowing students to be able to follow along without running into walls or neighboring students.
Repetitive movement sequences allow learners to pick up the choreography and apply the movements by the second or third time through. Arms, legs, hips and shoulders are all used throughout the routine to allow for full body exercise. The progression of exercise should allow for a warm-up period, a high-intensity section, and finally a cool down. This progression can be done throughout the entirety of a class or within a single dance.
The warm up and cool down should use smaller movements, while the high intensity sections use larger, full body steps.
Tips for Choosing Zumba Music
The choice in music is an important part of any choreography. Although Zumba was first started in South America using Salsa and Merengue, you can use any genre of music. For Zumba, quick tempos are a necessary component for any dance. A quick tempo ensures that even small movements will be fast-paced, adding to the cardiovascular benefits of Zumba.
While Latin music offers many different styles of quick energetic music, pop and electronic dance music are great genres to loop in, as well. Picking music that's catchy and enjoyable to you will help you in choreographing the dance as you will be hearing these songs more than anyone else. When choosing your next song, finding a track with a simple repetitive beat will help you and your students keep tempo and pick up the dance faster and easier.
Making a playlist of possible song choices can help you decide what song to use and will give you plenty of options for future choreographies.
Best Places to Find Zumba Music
Looking for good dance music can be tough if you’re not sure where to start. YouTube is an easy, free way to find new songs and genres. Once you start finding music that inspires you to get up and move, create a playlist to keep all your music selections in one place.
Alternatively, a streaming service might be more ideal for you. Paying a set price each month would enable you to download a huge variety of songs straight to your device. The official Zumba website has a membership that gives you unlimited access to their top music picks and even choreographies. Finding what works for you is always the best policy for giving yourself room for maximum creativity.
What Steps to Use in Your Zumba Routine
As soon as you lock down your top choice of song, it’s time to start creating your routine.
Listening to the music and seeing what your body naturally wants to do when you start to get into the groove can help inspire your entire choreography. If you want to shimmy your shoulders and put your hands up, you would want to consider movements that get your upper body working.
A great way to get your shoulders and back working are, arm pumps, body rolls and hand rolls, just to name a few. Combining these exercises with simple foot movements such as, heel switches, walking in place, or a wide legged stance with hip bumps will help keep your full body moving without adding too much complication to the sequence.
Finding Inspiration for New Zumba Routines
If you are feeling stuck in the middle of a choreography or can’t even think where to begin, inspiration might be what you need. Watching videos of Zumba dances or attending a Zumba class is one way to get your creative juices flowing. Seeing and doing different movements can help you create ideas for your own dance.
Watching ballroom dancing or other forms of dance can help you discover new movements you haven’t tried before. Part of being creative is being open to new possibilities.
Ways to Keep your Zumba Class Safer
Zumba classes are fast-paced and high-energy, which means there are chances for mishaps to occur. Taking small steps with each and every class you teach can go a long way in helping to lessen the chances for an accident or mishap.
Keeping a Zumba class safe takes diligence on behalf of the instructor, certain things to watch for include:
- Keeping a clean space: this seems basic but you’d be surprised how many accidents happen simply because a studio wasn’t cleaned beforehand. Make sure to promptly wipe up any spills and pick up any loose debris so they don’t become a slipping hazard.
- Correct bad form: if a student is not performing a routine correctly, you need to help guide them into the proper sequence.
Improper form could injure the student or those around them so you aren’t doing any favors by not correcting them. - Keep intervals manageable: you know your class and may even be targeting a specific client segment such as older gym goers. Make sure to keep the intervals between high and low intensity dance moves at a manageable level, relative to the class. Watch out for any signs of overexertion and tone down the routine as needed.
No accidents are completely unavoidable but you can help lessen the chances of a mishap simply by being present, alert, and prepared for each and every class.
Making Sure Your Zumba Career is Covered
Creating the absolutely perfect Zumba routine that really drives the energy and enthusiasm of a class is a great feeling. Having students spread their good experience with others, creates an opportunity for having more individuals sign up to take your next class. With consistently good experiences, a Zumba teacher can build their reputation and their client list to whatever heights they desire.
Even with all of this, an entire career can come crashing down in an instant with just the slightest misstep during a session with students.
Zumba instructor insurance is your career’s safeguard, offering 360 degrees of protection from the most common types of accidents and other risks that sometimes just happen, no matter how careful you are. A slip and fall injury, an accusation of malpractice—events like these could lead someone to file a lawsuit against you, which, frivolous or not, will require paying for your defense.
Insure Fitness Group’s Zumba insurance policy helps provide for the costs associated with a claim, as well as any legal defense fees that are necessary. We do this for a wide variety of risks that today’s Zumba instructors face so they can have full confidence teaching the routines they love.
Sign Up for Zumba Insurance in a Few Clicks
No long questionnaire to fill out or waiting a long time for approval.
Simply fill out a quick online application, check out, and enjoy full Zumba insurance coverage with immediate access to plan documents.
How To Choreograph A Dance Routine In 6 Simple Steps
Are you wondering how to choreograph a dance routine? Or if you even can???
The answer is YES, YOU CAN! And you totally should.
Choreographing isn't just for professional dancers with tons of clout. It's a skill that anyone can learn with a little practice and inspiration. Not sure how to start? Just follow this handy 6-step guide and start creating!
Finding the right song could be the easiest or hardest part of choreographing.
Sometimes, you hear a song for the first time and you know, you just KNOW, that it's the one.
Other times, you browse through your entire iTunes library, SoundCloud dashboard, Spotify playlists, and still don't feel anything.
But once you have a song and pick out the section you want to choreograph to, listen to it.
..A LOT. And don’t just listen – listen with intent.
Look up the lyrics to see how you relate to the meaning of the song. Discover hidden hi-hats and riffs that you can highlight.
Note the "pathways" for movement you want to take – do you want to hit a certain lyric? Or that dope double bass? Visualize ideas as you listen.
You don't need to come up with concrete moves, but understand how you wanna move. And if you need to cut your music, do that first.
Having to wait or skip around to different parts of the song can interrupt the process.
Some tips for finding songs: Best Ways For Dancers To Find New Music
Yes, you can watch videos from your favorite choreographers and remix their routines, but to make something unique to you, try drawing inspiration from your own life and the culture around you.
Read thought-provoking books, watch beautifully shot movies, check out MET Gala costumes, and visit cool museums!
All forms of art can inspire and fuel your art.
When you see something inspiring, write it down so you can come back to those ideas later.
Even something simple like an interesting conversation with a friend can turn into a dance choreography idea or a new dance move.
Already feeling inspired? Watch this video to learn how to turn those ideas and concepts into dance moves!
Freestyling doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to be using those exact moves in your piece. In fact, you probably won’t even remember a lot of what you did!
The point is to let your body respond to the music. Play the whole song and let yourself move. Notice how you naturally groove to certain sounds.
This will be the first "layer" in your choreography. You can then try variations or build more intricate movements on top of it.
Not sure how to start freestyling? Read this article for a few more tips: How to Freestyle Dance
And if you put on a song you really love, but still can't come up with any moves, check out this video!
Clay gives you tips for creating unique movements, even when you think you have choreo block.
You probably decided to choreograph to the song because you thought certain sections would look dope on the body.
Is it a climax? A breakdown? An instrumental interlude?
Whatever it is, start with that part. You don’t have to choreograph chronologically from beginning to end.
Start with the chunks that come easier, then build the rest of the choreography around it.
After you've choreographed your favorite chunks, make sure to give some love to those in-between sections!
Just because it’s not a crazy beat combo doesn’t mean it doesn’t have potential to look amazing.
Sometimes it’s those slower moments that are the most memorable. Check out this piece from Galen – it's all about her presence and demeanor.
Even her simple movements are engaging because she's filling those calmer moments with presence, before she goes off in a powerful combo.
A lot of us have the problem of making choreography that looks good in our heads... But not on our bodies. At that point, you just gotta train yourself.
Some refer to this as “cleaning” or “setting,” which involves perfecting certain pictures you make with your body, looking at pathways between points, or drilling quick combinations.
Check out this article to learn more about the cleaning process: How To Execute Choreography Better By Utilizing Your Body With Carlo Darang (Choreo Cookies)
And remember: How you choreograph will be how the piece looks. So when you choreograph a dance, do the moves full out.
For example, if you want a plié somewhere, really bend those knees. Let body rolls go all the way through your body. If you’re doing floorwork – get on the floor!
It's not going to magically look amazing when you perform on stage or in front of the camera.
Make it amazing as you're making it.
Watch this video to learn more about dancing full-out, in every moment.
There are probably moments within your piece that feel perfect to you. Don’t change those.
But the piece as a whole is probably a bit rough around the edges, especially if this is your first time choreographing.
As novelist Ernest Hemingway once said, “The first draft of anything is sh*t.”
So don’t worry if it’s not exactly what you wanted it to be. You can work your way there!
Do this by trying out variations of movements, scrapping some sections, changing directions, or adding floorwork – whatever you feel is necessary to “edit” the piece.
And honestly? That’s what makes creating so fun – trying things. Saying “Nope, not that,” or “YES oh my god, it worked!”
It’s supposed to take multiple drafts! Just keep editing until you’re done.
Of course, if you're a perfectionist, you might feel like your piece is never finished, but you gotta draw the line at some point.
While it’s awesome to try to keep improving your piece, there comes a point where you have to say “This is it. It's ready."
It's not about feeling like your piece is perfect. It's about making something that you feel proud to say you made. So when you're done, let it be.
Give yourself a pat on the back. Record the piece and share it with us via our STEEZY Studio members Facebook Group!
Thousands of dancers around the world are not only improving their dance skills on STEEZY Studio... they're joining our community and getting feedback from other dancers!
Click here to sign up for STEEZY ;)
Check out this video for a quick recap of this guide AND a few extra tips!
What is Zumba and how to lose weight with it
May 21, 2021LikbezSports and Fitness
A way to lose weight for those who hate training.
Iya Zorina
Author of Lifehacker, athlete, CCM
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0What is zumba?
Zumba Zumba is a group fitness program that combines basic aerobic movements with simple elements of Latin dance, hip hop and belly dance. The lesson takes place to the rhythms of salsa, rumba, merengue, flamenco and other styles.
Zumba is positioned as a dance party - bright, driving and not like regular weight loss workouts.
In addition to the classic zumba, there are CLASSES nine more fitness areas - from Aqua Zumba® in the pool to Zumba® Toning classes with dumbbells for an additional load on the upper body.
There are also separate Zumbini™ tracks for kids aged 0-3 and STRONG by Zumba® high-intensity training for those who want to push their workout, diluting their cardio workouts with dance combinations to music.
How fast can you lose weight with it?
Zumba is essentially an interval workout that alternates high and low intensity dance moves.
Thus, the process does not require rest, and you can move at a high heart rate for the entire 40-50 minutes of the session.
You can burn yourself in one workout Zumba®: Is the “Fitness-Party” a Good Workout? about 369 kcal. If you exercise five days a week, even without a calorie deficit, you can get rid of a kilogram of fat in 3-4 weeks. And in combination with a soft diet - in 1.5-2 weeks.
At the same time, unlike running or other cardio, vibrant dance rhythms and the pleasure of moving to music reduce perceived effort.
In other words, you sweat and breathe quickly, but you don't suffer.
This increases the chance that activity will become a part of your life, and this is useful not only for reducing body fat.
What is Zumba good for, besides losing weight?
During dance practice, the pulse is kept at Zumba®: Is the “Fitness-Party” a Good Workout? within 64–94% of the maximum heart rate and averages 79%.
This is enough to pump the cardiovascular system and improve the endurance of the body.
In addition, Zumba strengthens the muscles of the body. Many dance steps and movements involve the abs. Jumps and lunges strengthen the hips and buttocks. The traditional zumba puts little or no stress on the upper body. If you want to tone your arms, chest, and back, try the dumbbell variation.
Zumba also pumps flexibility and coordination, makes the body more flexible and obedient.
Is Zumba suitable for those who cannot dance?
Zumba choreography includes only the basic movements of dance styles and does not require any dance or sports experience in the past.
Any movements are learned in a few minutes, and combinations are usually repeated many times in a row, so it is not difficult to remember them.
In addition, like any party, Zumba is devoid of the formality of the classical direction. As part of the basic movements, you have room for improvisation.
The main thing is to move actively and enjoy the process.
Who shouldn't practice Zumba?
Since Zumba is a fairly intense training method, it is worth approaching it with caution during pregnancy. Before starting classes, consult with your doctor and inform the trainer.
You should also tell your instructor if you have knee or back pain, arthritis, or other joint or spinal problems. In some Zumba combinations, there are sharp and intense movements that can harm existing problems.
If you have diabetes, unaccustomed physical activity can cause your sugar levels to drop dramatically. Before you go to the first workout, consult with your doctor.
Also be careful about joining intense dancing if you have cardiovascular disease. Go see a cardiologist first.
How often can I exercise?
Since the classic zumba doesn't include strength movements and doesn't tire the muscles and the central nervous system, you can do it every day.
So you quickly lose extra pounds and pump endurance.
What do you need to do Zumba?
First, find a certified Zumba instructor in your city.
The owner of the ZUMBA® brand (Zumba Fitness LCC) develops programs and choreography, selects music, teaches and licenses instructors.
Check out trainers with a valid license at zumba.com. Find one and come to his class.
If you are going to work out at home, you can do it with a DVD from the same Zumba Fitness LCC. Training discs are sold on the official website, as well as on Amazon.
All you need is space, comfortable clothes and running shoes to practice.
Is it possible to do Zumba for free?
Since Zumba does not require detailed analysis of technique and does not contain complex elements, you can learn combinations from YouTube videos. Remember about the possibility of changing the speed to 0.25 - so you have time to make out any element.
Here are some short workouts from certified instructors ranging from 4 to 48 minutes.
Try it, enjoy the music and lose weight with pleasure!
Read also 🧐
- How to lose weight quickly and not harm your health: a scientific approach
- How to learn to dance: video lessons for those who are not afraid to try
- How to learn how to dance shuffle
- How to track your weight loss progress
DANCE FITNESS PROGRAM 40+ for older people in MOSCOW. ZUMBA GOLD lessons.
When the soul needs to dance
We grow every year, grow older, get older. But there are states, sensations, feelings that live in us throughout our lives and do not leave with age. Some of them are in the dance. What are we like in dance, do you think? Carefree, alive, with a state of here and now, open and natural. Although many are now squeezed and closed.
However, this is a matter of finding yourself, what you really like. When you find a hobby, sport, or dance style that you like, you will open up.
For many, this path to discovery was the world-famous dance fitness program ZUMBA GOLD® , which turned out to be so significant for us as well.
ZUMBA GOLD®- cardio workout that includes elements of fitness, dance rhythms and styles of Latin America, world hits, drive and positive emotions.
The program is suitable for older people of any initial readiness, for beginners, young people who do not want high loads for health reasons.
There are contraindications, see . Security measures
Karina Iskandaryan - head of the "Dance for Health" studio:
I have a motto - Dance when it's bad, there will be a hand that will support you. In the most difficult moments in my life, it was dancing and our team of lovely ladies that saved me from possible depression.
This is the best medicine I have found for myself.
With regular cardio training, the following happens:
- strengthening the cardiovascular and respiratory system, normalizing pressure; reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension, thrombosis, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, stroke; an increase in the likelihood of a favorable outcome in the event of CVS attacks;
- increase in the concentration of high molecular weight lipoproteins responsible for lowering cholesterol levels;
- increase in bone density, improve blood supply to the bones, providing prevention / inhibition of osteoporosis;
- slowing down the loss of muscle mass; improvement in muscle tone;
- slowing down the aging of all organs, incl. heart and blood vessels; reduced risk of sclerotic changes;
- reduced risk of musculoskeletal injuries;
- zumba workouts - an opportunity to attend an incendiary party, escape from oppressive everyday problems and make new acquaintances;
- emancipation, self-confidence and positive emotions that make you smile more often and enjoy life.
Philosophy of the studio
We tried our best to create and maintain a sincere atmosphere of classes. Many of our regular customers stood at the origins of our studio and have remained faithful to it to this day. However, the presence of a large number of already experienced students of the studio does not in the least prevent the emergence of new ones. We do not have a struggle for a podium, for vacant first rows in front of an instructor, everyone is ready to give in and help in adapting to a new society. Thus, the pleasure of learning does not come from individual achievement, but from teamwork and interconnection.
We know that quality is more important than quantity. We keep a small team, which allows us to pay maximum attention to each client and be in touch with him.
We adhere to a certain pricing policy. During the entire existence of the studio, we have never increased the cost of classes (with the exception of an unlimited subscription, the pricing of which directly depends on the number of training hours in the schedule).
And due to recent events with a new coronavirus infection, they even reduced the main pricing packages.
We try to create a better life for our customers through movement, positive emotions, fun communication and a friendly team. Together with our students, we hold interesting cultural events, organize group trips around Russia and abroad.
The opinion of the guests and visitors of the studio can better characterize our work:
Opera singer, laureate of international competitions Armine Hayrapetyan0112 I am pleasantly surprised by the non-trainer's interest in his work as the head of the dance studio Dance to your health.
Of course, in a good way. It seems that girls come there not only to dance, maintain their body and health (and it should be noted that classes are held with such enthusiasm and incredible energy), but they also come there to get into another life: with pleasure and entertainment away from problems, sorrows and everyday life.
Group trips abroad, theaters, concerts, out-of-town sports entertainment centers for a few days. And that's only half of what I know about, what they do there, besides dancing. Well, is it a coach? Is this a dance group???!!! Well, of course, yes!!! Only in a format not just dance. studio, but in the full atmosphere of family and friends!!! That is, just at the dance, for anyone who comes there to practice, the matter does not end there. And it's just getting started!!! It's just another side of life. A leap into a positive, fulfilling, whole life..... And all this is organized by the coach for his wards. Respect, respect and once again respect!!! In my opinion, this is a wonderful ladies club))
On March 8, the head of this unusual dance studio, Karina Iskandaryan, organized a holiday for her girls - a concert performed by Mikhail Klushin (viola) and my participation. Everything went, like everyone in this group, on a high positive. There is so much life and energy in girls... Mamma mia.
..))
Good luck to you girls, and thank you very much for the positive reception and warmth!!"
Maya Kucher:
but it turned out to take up dancing only after I turned 45 years old. Of course, at first it was scary and uncomfortable, but the Zumba Gold trainers provide such a friendly and comfortable training atmosphere that all my fears quickly disappeared. Over time, I began to feel my progress not only in dance, but also in everyday life: vivacity, strength and vitality appeared, my mood improved. And most importantly, I began to feel love for myself and pride at the expense of such self-realization. It is very difficult to take the first step, but it is worth it! Friendly staff, attention and care of the trainers in the class, as well as joint leisure - all this can be found in the Zumba Gold classes. I recommend it to anyone and everyone, because movement is life!"
Anna Rukavishnikova:
"I have been doing Zumba Gold at the Dance for Health studio for the third year.
Before that, I tried to do fitness several times, but always quit. For a while I forced myself to walk, but then I didn’t
Now it's the other way around. The fact is that the classes have changed my motivation. If before it was a desire to keep myself in shape + health benefits, now I have found myself, and the form and health turned out somehow by themselves. In this for me the uniqueness of this studio.0115
So, advantages:
- positive, you don't have to show miracles of will to go to classes, you want to go there;
- each dance is a small performance, a sense of co-creation;
- improvement of physical fitness and health.
Faults:
- not found"
Anna Lukashova:
"Zumba on Avtozavodskaya - energy of life, joy of life, love of life! It is the most positive kind of dance."
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