Great ZUMBA Choreography Made Simple
As a ZUMBA instructor, you’re probably always looking for fresh ZUMBA choreography. The good news is, ZUMBA fitness encourages creativity, so you are free to use whatever choreography you want, as long as it’s safe and suitable for a group fitness environment. Here are some tips for assembling great ZUMBA choreography that you’ll love and your classes will love you for it!
Use songs you like.
Don’t just pick a song because it’s popular or because it’s on your ZUMBA DVD. If you hate a song, your classes are going to eventually pick up on it, because you won’t be excited when you’re teaching it. And if your energy levels are down, don’t you think there’s will be, too?
Pick songs that are “even” and have distinct patterns.
There is nothing worse than trying to choreograph a song that is erratic and lacks beat patterns. Try to pick songs that have clear and repetitive verses and choruses, so you can repeat the same moves every time a particular musical landmark repeats itself. For example, if you’re choreographing the song, “Low” by Flo Rida, you would do the same move every time the chorus says, “low, low, low, low, low, low, low…” you get the picture!
Choose your tempos wisely.
Remember, just because you may be able to move at 170 beats per minute for the entire class, that doesn’t mean your participants can! You need to be cognoscente of the fact that ZUMBA attracts people of all ages and fitness levels. There needs to be some variety in your song tempos, so your classes can experience the benefits of interval training. So don’t be afraid to do a slow belly dance or flamenco number in between your fast merengues and salsas—not only your classes will love the variety, but they’ll also love the results.
Cheat…and cheat often.
Why make your own ZUMBA choreography if you don’t have to? If you’re not the choreographer “creator-type,” there are plenty of resources to choose from on the Internet that can help you. Youtube, as well as niche-type websites that offer ZUMBA videos have tons of songs that are tried, tested, and true and are taught by certified, talented instructors.
So when it comes to ZUMBA choreography, don’t forget that ZUMBA liberates you to choose the songs that work best for you and your classes. And when in doubt, just remember to stay true to yourself. The rest always falls into place!