Any Zumba instructors? Have some questions

Hi,
If it is something you enjoy doing, I would say do it. As far as the amount of instructors in your area, I live in NYC and there are hundreds and hundreds of instructors. What there isn’t enough of are GOOD instructors and that is what the Zumba Education Specialists (those who teach the trainings) will tell you.

As far as getting a job, one of the biggest challenges you might face is working at a gym. Some gyms will want you to be ACE or AFAA certified with a Group Exercise certification (Google it). There is a big difference being LICENSED to be a Zumba Fitness instructor and being CERTIFIED to teach a class. Yes, anyone who has the money can become a Zumba Fitness instructor, because all it requires is to pay a training fee, learn a few dance moves and some marketing tips. There is no test; when the day is over, you are free to teach a Zumba Fitness class. Being certified in group exercise from one of the accredited fitness institutions gives you a leg up because you go through a rigorous test on A LOT of different things. I bought the package and have yet to study and take the test for various reasons, but it is no joke. Some gyms and independent facilities and dance studios really won’t care whether or not you are group exercise certified, because as long as you can bring in the people, then you are bringing in the money, which brings me to my next point.

You will not get rich off of being a Zumba Fitness instructor alone. It’s a great way to SUPPLEMENT your income, not replace it. Unless you get to a point where you can charge $25 per person and teach more than one packed class a day (no one is at that point yet). But you can most certainly pay off the cost of the training in due time. In order to get work, the best thing for you to do is sign up to be a “sub”. Go to the places where you would want to teach and tell the instructor or the facility manager you want to be put on a sub list – when that instructor is out sick or can’t teach the class that day, they might call you. Of course, this might be a last minute thing. Plus this will help you get acclimated to teaching a class.

Bear in mind TAKING a Zumba Fitness class is NOT the same as TEACHING one. I used to think I was the *kitten* in class. I knew the moves, burned lots of calories, hell I could probably have taught a routine or two if the teacher had to run out the room for something. But being up front and facing a class and trying to remember your moves and giving eye contact and making sure you pay attention to everyone, and making sure no one is about to pass out (for the shy ones in the back), is going to be vastly different than when all you had to do was dance in your spot during your classes.

I haven’t heard anyone say to another instructor that they aren’t “real” fitness instructors, but they probably would "secretly" get more respect if they took the time to get the group exercise certification. I don’t think anyone says it out loud, but I would bet they are thinking it. The Zumba Education Specialists will always advise you it’s a GOOD IDEA to get that group exercise cert. You want to know how to warm up a class, cool down a class properly, etc. Myself, I love the moves, but I couldn’t tell you WHY I’m making you do that move or what benefit it will give you. You have to understand that so called “real” fitness instructors go through tough tests/trainings and if they want to stay in the game, they have to get re-certified (yearly?). A good metaphor is doctors: we all know the lengths one has to go to in order to become a doctor. Now imagine if the rules changed and going forward, new doctors only had to go through 6 months of med school? Wouldn’t you as a doctor who had to go through years of training be somewhat perturbed that the rules changed after you spent thousands of dollars? Side note: FYI I know a few people who are not certified in group exercise who teach at major gyms.

Lastly, size doesn’t matter - TO OTHER INSTRUCTORS. My really good friend is not skinny at all and she is one of the most popular instructors in the area. What I didn't think about that this same friend told me is that the ones who you think would be hard on you like other instructors aren't. IT'S THE PARTICIPANTS. Some of them can be rude and downright nasty. You NEED to be able to have thick skin. You will have participants walk out in the middle of a routine, they will actually come to your face and tell you what they don't like and if you are subbing, they'll let you know they don't like you by saying " so when is the teacher coming back?" I don't know how often this happens to people, but just know that it happens to every single Zumba Fitness instructor - you wouldn't be the first and you certainly wouldn't be the last.

SOME things that I think make a really good Zumba Fitness instructor is someone who has a great personality, lots of energy, fun and simple routines and great music.

When you decide to join, hook up with other instructors in your training to keep in touch and encourage each other. Another great thing about Zumba Fitness are the tools we are given to help us out – especially new instructors. When you sign up, there is a forum with loads of questions just like what you asked. There are postings of jobs (keep in mind, most facilities will make you audition), special classes for instructors only called “jam sessions” where you can learn new routines, and they even have videos on the site for moves you need to be refreshed on.

If you sign up to be a part of the Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN), you pay a monthly fee of $30 which gives you the opportunity to receive a new CD in the mail every month (or is it every other month lol) with new music and an accompanying DVD with a routine to go with every song! So basically, if you aren't the best at choreographing your own music, you won't have to, but you will need to memorize the hell out of the song first lol. The tools are there to help you become a great instructor!

Good luck and feel free to ask more questions! Sorry if this was so choppy!

I know this is an old post, but there was a really thoughtful post that I got a lot out of. I have decided to train to be a Zumba instructor with the intent of eventually specializing in Zumba Gold. I am 67 and in really good shape, but eventually, I figure I won't be able to keep up with the heavy duty level of energy I expend and I would like to be helpful to others who are getting older but are in good health.

I've signed up for a Zumba Basic training class and a cpr class. I'm now reviewing group fitness certifications. There are a ton of Zumba teachers in NYC and I've had some terrible ones. Fortunately the two classes I currently take weekly are wonderful and I'm starting to try other classes to get experience with other instructors to also network.

I know my gym, NYSC, requires group fitness cert. and cpr. to teach there and I figure I might as well be competitive in this arena. I'm a bit nervous about choreographing dances, but I've got time to learn. I think it will probably take me the rest of this year to get ready to teach. I was advised to go to the Zumba convention in Florida in August because 1. it's fun, 2. you can network, 3. you can do more certifications (Zumba Gold isn't taught that often around here), and you get to do a lot of classes. My instructor, who went once, said she had to stay an extra day to recuperate. :laugh:

I have had a conversation with a woman who is 77, has been teaching for about 10 years and is still going strong!. She looks and sounds fabulous (I've seen her on her web page). I got a lot of good advice from her.