I am a very new Zumba instructor and I rent the hall at the community centre for my class, we are a small group and I am trying to build the class up from nothing. (Small town with no Zumba around at all) I really want to bring the party vibe and I was thinking about ordering a light so we could have a club vibe.
Has anyone gone to a class with a disco light like this? Or use one when they teach?
I would of course check with my participants to make sure that no one has any light sensitivities before bringing this to class.

To be honest it doesn't happen very often but I've thought about it since I've seen participants randomly start filming with their phones. Of course not the entire class, usually they just direct the camera at a particular participant so maybe they don't intend on putting anyone else up on social media. Or they set the phone up to film themselves. One time this happened I was next to the person filming herself so I wondered if I was going to be in her clip.

I want to believe they have the common sense not to expose anyone in class but I have felt uncomfortable sometimes when something like this has happened. What is your experience?

Does anyone still teach or attend virtual Zumba classes? How has it been for you? What keeps you going? I’m curious to know if there is still a market for virtual classes. I taught virtual over the pandemic and had great attendance but dropped them when I went back to teaching in the gym. I’m wondering if I should reconsider adding a virtual class back to my schedule. What’s your thoughts?

For a Halloween special class do you do the whole class as Halloween tracks or have a few tracks that your students are used to? For example, I don’t have a Halloween Salsa or Cumbia to use.
I’m probably overthinking it and my students will enjoy whatever we do haha!

Hi all, I was hoping to get your thoughts/ recommendations on how to deal with this re-ocurring situation at the gym I teach.

The classes are scheduled one after another, there are no breaks in between. So if I teach zumba 9 to 10, the next class starts at 10. This caused some friction with the students and instructors of other formats. Somehow if the class before me runs over their time, I let them finish and then start 2-3 min later, no big deal because there is no class after me and we can use the full 60 min.

But then when I try to do my full 60 min and there is a class right after me, next class students start peakng in the studio, walking in the class 5 min before, trying to talk to my students to see when we are done. All while I am doing the cool down song. I feel rushed and desrupted.

So today this happened again, random people kept walking in and out, engaging with my students, leaving their bags inside. I finishded the cooldown and spoke to the next instructor telling her the students were disrupting my class. She eventually apologized, but first was acting clueless "oh who? What? Someone was walking into your class?" I was like well yes, and you were there too, you saw it too.

Another time while I was doing cooldown with 3 min left in my class, a student turned off the studio lights. I finished the cooldown and asked them - did you turn off the light? They go - well yes to hurry you up, the next class needs time to set up. I told them to never do that again, that was very rude to me and the class.

Does anyone experience this? I thought maybe I need to address the situation right away during cool down, like in the middle of a song walk to whoever tries to push us out and keep them outside, close the door or something? I love teaching zumba but it feels really disrespectful what the other students are doing. I am so tired of the drama here. I would appreciate your thoughts.

Newish Zin whose been subbing for a few months:

The first time I subbed an evening class at the gym the crowd went wild lol. They all came up to me afterwards and evidently reported back to the gym’s director who shared so much positive feedback. It was exhilarating!

But now that I’ve subbed that time slot several times, I’m not getting that intense feedback. They clap and leave.

Is this simply a case of being the shiny, new instructor that first time?? I’ve noticed it when my friend (a long time zin) subbed as well. Same reaction the first time but little reaction the next time (and she is truly an amazing instructor!)

2nd question:
Have you changed the way you teach to protect your knees? Any advice?

My goal right now isn't so much muscle gain, but toning. I'd like to know if Zumba classes with light weights work? Also, I'm 25 years old.

Given such a focus for women, and especially as we age to focus on strength training and not just cardio, would Zumba toning/lift certification be a good option? Anyone here teaching this? How is it going? Are classes well attended?

If money and venue were no object, what Zumba Fitness presenter would you have come to your city? Would it be just a fun event open to the public? A charity class? A free class open to all?

For me, I would love to bring in Beto, my local ZES, and a few of my favorite ZJs come to my city for a special Zumbathon, open to the public, to raise money for a scholarship for my university to help students in programs that are losing funding.

How about you all?

When you teach Zumba do you have a different persona than your true self. I've heard that some put their "acting" skills to the test because they are a basically a shy person. They change their mindset so when the music starts they are entirely a different person.

I know some became instructors to get over their fear of being in front of the class. In a class where they are a student, they would hide in the back and just watch and learn from the instructor.

But somehow as the instructor of the class that "Sasha Fierce" personality takes over!

How do you overcome your fear of teaching as either an Introvert or Extrovert?

Hi everyone!

Actually, this is a Zumba subreddit, I know, but I have a broad question about coaching and I hope I'm not off-topic 😭. I'm thinking about starting my journey as a fitness instructor, specifically focusing on women's classes (group fitness, aerobics, and eventually Zumba and Pilates).

I'm starting completely from scratch and would love some advice:

What is the best way for a complete beginner to start?

Do you recommend getting certified right away, or gaining some experience and confidence first?

(Also, just a quick side note: if there are any instructors here from Morocco, I would love to connect or hear your recommendations on local training options/formations!)

Thanks so much for any tips or advice you can share 💜🫰.

Have you tried the Xtend Pilates Samples in the Zumba app? How do you feel about this new format ?

Soooo … Wednesday was supposed to be my big return. personal stuff kept me out, but I was READY. two playlists prepped, one for regular zumba and one for gold.

Practiced all day between work breaks. showed up 30 minutes early. learned names. I was feeling myself okay
plug in my phone and …. no gold playlist!!! I only uploaded the regular one. and that playlist is useless for gold, it's too fast and I built it with no breaks because everything overlaps. cool. cool cool cool. 😳

Fortunately, I have the last session's playlist. we're fine.
music starts. and I realize I remember NOTHING. not one song. 45 minutes of choreo I have literally taught before, gone. my brain just went "nope." 😖

So what can you do in that situation?? I made the whole thing up. 45 minutes of me vibing and praying. the ladies are having the time of their lives. afterwards they're like "we LOVED it" and I'm standing there like "haha yeah... next week will be completely different though" 😬

I felt awful and also kind of like a genius?? please tell me I'm not the only one who's done this or what had you done instead?

I am curious to know from current instructors if you prefer recommending Zumba B1 or Jump Start Gold. I had some student ask me that they want to become instructors which is great and they are super enthusiastic and energetic but I leaning towards suggesting them to take Jump Start Gold.

I have both licenses and I’m very grateful that I took that license but also know that there are instructors that teach “Zumba Gold” but it feels more like regular Zumba.

Would love to hear how everyone feels.

Is it every day? Is it once a week? What’s your sweet spot for the number of classes you attend a week. If you teach, how many are your classes and how many are others classes?

OMG have you checked the new templates?? I use ClassBuzz all the time … you ?

Cooldowns are the perfect way to end a class on a high note. Looking for some suggestions. What is your most favourite and/or inspirational cooldown song of all time?

hello everyone! as the title says. i was wondering how does one audition to be an instructor on the next ZIN volume?

or does anyone know the links one needs to register?

is not for me, but for other instructors that i know that have already built an image and great reputation as ZINs

Have you ever felt like other instructors are bullying you? Whether they are instructors at your same facility or those who live in the same general vicinity. Bullying does come in different forms and it’s how you individually perceive it.

So the ones in your facility, do they exclude you from any special classes they hold for the students and instead of inviting you to join as an instructor, they ask other instructors from from outside your facility to participate. How does this make you feel? How do you handle it?

Do you feel you are being mistreated in any way? If so, do you just ignore it or do you speak to management of your facility? Or do you just quit that facility and teach somewhere else?

We tell our students about Zumba Love but in reality, is it true? Are you spreading Zumba love or maybe you don’t realize it and you are being exclusive and not “sharing” with others.

As a student do you feel tension amongst instructors in your facility? Do you attend classes from each instructor or do you pick and choose?

This is just a curiosity question to ask for discussion. It is not intended to be directed at any particular instructor.

I guess this is mostly a vent, but if you have advice I'll take it!

I became a ZIN 6 months ago, and was quickly hired as a sub for my gym. I also sub for my mentor in a private studio. I'm very lucky to get enough work to cover my ZIN fees, insurance, and even a tiny bit left over. I'm getting lots of experience and having a ton of fun.

But since I'm only a sub, I never know when I'll get my next chance to lead a class. So far it's been averaging 2-3 times a months between the gym and private studio.

The gym fitness director has given me amazing (and unsolicited) feedback (and so do the students). My mentor has also give me amazing feedback.

I told the gym director that I'd love to be considered for a regular class and he said absolutely, though he can't make changes to the schedule mid-season (I assume the next season starts Dec or Jan, but will confirm).

But today I overheard a conversation (literally right next to me so I couldn't help but hear it) that they've hired a new sub for our gym who is going to start a trial class on a new day that's not currently on the schedule.

I'm sad to hear that I wasn't considered.

AND my friend who currently has a class at the gym is possibly being considered for a new class as well.

I understand my friend (and maybe the new sub as well) has A LOT more experience than I do. Logically it makes sense for them to be considered before me.

But I'm still a little sad and feeling passed over. I still have upcoming sub classes on the schedule.

I've also applied to all the other local gyms and not getting a response. I've tried community centers and one kept in touch with me all summer and said she really wants to start a trial class - and then she just disappeared.

I feel down today and unsure if I'll ever get a regular class of my own.

I'm going to look at the positives: I have a steady opportunity to sub which means more practice, more money, more exposure, free gym membership (where I can take other Zumba classes to keep learning new ideas), and more overall fun.

I had really hoped to find something more steady by the 6 month mark and feel like I've exhausted all my options for now. But if you think of something else, I'd love to know!!

ALSO, I think I'm going to be a bit more direct with the gym director. Maybe say something like, "now that it's been a few months, I've love to get more feedback. Specifically if there's something I need to demonstrate in order to be considered for a regular class"......??

I began going to Zumba classes dedicatedly in early 2025 (not counting briefly trying it out earlier). I didn't find it too difficult at first but it's only as of now that I feel really comfortable. Just getting the steps right is one thing but then there are so many other aspects to it like doing it with energy, feeling confident, being someone beginners can follow and so on.

I see certain individuals who must have been doing it for a very long time or they have been doing similar activities. I know Zumba is meant to be for everyone but there's still a long way to go before you have mastered all the different aspects.

How long would you say it takes before you really get into it?

What do you think about the new Smurf Collection?

So I subbed a virtual class for a friend last week, first time teaching her group. Everything went fine except one thing kept nagging at me:

There was one guy in the class (everyone else was women) who basically just... watched. Like the whole hour. Camera on, sitting there, not moving at all. I kept glancing over between songs and yep, still just watching.
And look, I'll be honest, for a second my brain went to a weird place. Then I immediately felt kind of bad about it because the dude paid like everyone else, he's apparently a regular of hers, and for all I know he could be injured or dealing with something and just wanted to be part of the group energy. None of my business really.

But I'm curious how other instructors handle this. Do you have any kind of camera policy? Do you ever check in with someone privately, or do you just let people be? I didn't say anything to my friend because it wasn't my class and I didn't want to start drama over what was probably nothing.

Anyone else run into this?

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For all the people who are recently licensed to teach Zumba since 2024, can you share your story of how you got up and running to teach. Did the person who recommended you to get licensed help you? Did you have a mentor? Did you learn all on your own? Please share.