Many dancers consider bringing their passion into teaching dance classes. It is an opportunity for you to hone your skills and share the love of dance with others. Consider whether this path is a good fit for you, and explore the best dance fitness certifications for beginners.
What to Expect on Your Journey to Becoming a Dance Fitness Instructor
The road to becoming an instructor is full of learning opportunities. Here’s what to expect on your journey.
Embracing Passion Over Perfect Technique
Being a successful dance fitness instructor is less about flawless dance moves and more about creating a lively atmosphere. Think of yourself as the “party leader,” not a choreographer, whose job is to make fitness feel accessible and fun.
Finding Your Confidence at the Front of the Room
It’s normal to feel anxious about leading a group, especially if you haven’t done it before. However, this journey will teach you that confidence can be built over time with practice. One way to do that is to accept that mistakes happen and to speak positively to and about yourself.
Turning Your Passion Into a Paycheck
Teaching dance fitness can be a flexible and scalable source of income. You can earn as a part-time employee at a community center, by teaching in multiple locations or by renting your own space to run your classes.
The Fulfilling Perks of Being a Dance Fitness Instructor
Teaching offers significant fulfillment and lifestyle benefits.
- Personal fulfillment: Watching your students learn dance moves, gain confidence and improve their health is one of the best parts of being a dance fitness instructor.
- Flexible schedule: Dance fitness instructors often have greater control over their time than in a traditional office job.
- Community building: You get to meet new people and build a tight-knit community where students support each other.
Steps to Get Started
Here’s how to prepare for your journey to becoming a dance fitness instructor.
- Practice and build stamina: Teaching dance classes requires more energy. Work on your cardiovascular fitness and study how other instructors teach.
- Find your venue: There are many places where you can start teaching dance classes. Consider local fitness studios, local parks, community centers or gyms.
- Get certified: A certification transforms you into a qualified and professional fitness leader.
What Are the Best Dance Fitness Certifications for Beginners?
The right certification depends on your goals. Here’s where you can get certified.
1. Zumba
Zumba offers one of the best dance fitness certifications for beginners. It’s one of the world’s largest and most recognized dance fitness brands, giving you a huge advantage in attracting students. Choose your desired training, sign up, attend your courses and get your license. Zumba offers intro, specialty and skill development courses, so you can teach a class with confidence.
2. Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
AFAA certifies group and personal trainers worldwide. This certification is highly respected across the entire fitness industry, not just in dance. It is an ideal choice for gaining a deeper understanding of exercise science and other fields, such as indoor cycling, group fitness, yoga and nutrition.
3. SHiNE Dance Fitness
SHiNE instructors have access to choreography tutorials, mentor support, marketing resources and more. This dance fitness certification can be obtained through in-person or virtual training courses. You can also get certified in ShiNE LIGHT or ShiNE UPLIFT to teach classes at a variety of levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about becoming a dance fitness instructor.
What other skills are helpful for a dance fitness instructor?
Aside from dance skills, you’ll need strong interpersonal skills for connecting with students, basic social media knowledge for promoting your business and a genuine passion for helping people.
How much does it cost to get certified as a Zumba instructor?
The cost varies depending on the format of the training course. You can check the most accurate pricing on the official Zumba website.
Where can you teach dance fitness?
As a dance fitness instructor, you can approach local gyms to offer your services or even start your own studio. Both options provide the freedom to create your choreography, choose music and schedule your classes.
How long does it take to build a steady class schedule?
It varies for everyone. Building a loyal group of students can take a few months of consistent effort.
Become a Dance Fitness Instructor
Dance fitness can be a wonderful path for those who enjoy dancing and want to make a change in their community. Remember, you don’t need to be perfect to begin teaching. What matters most is your willingness to try and grow.