Do you love Zumba? Do you like to teach? Becoming a
certified Zumba instructor is probably a great career choice for you! We are
here to help answer any questions you may have about how to accomplish this
task.
How to register for Zumba instructor certification
classes
First, go to www.zumba.com and click on the Instructor
Training tab at the top of the page. You will be directed to The Zumba Academy.
There are many different certifications available. Here is a list, and short description, of the
different Zumba training courses.
- Aqua Zumba – Teach workouts that integrate the Zumba formula and philosophy into traditional aqua fitness disciplines.
- Zumba Gold – Teach the active older adult and address the anatomical, physiological and psychological needs specific to this population.
- Zumbatomic – Teach how to fuse the Zumba program's unique formula with the psychology and physiology relevant to teaching kids ages 4-12.
- Zumba Sentao – Teach explosive chair-based choreography that will strengthen, balance and stabilize the core, and step up cardio work.
- Zumba Toning – Teach how to blend body-sculpting techniques and specific Zumba moves into one calorie-burning, strength-training.
- Jump Start Gold – Designed for new instructors who wish to teach the active older adult and addresses their anatomical, physiological and psychological needs.
- Zumba Basic 2 – Learn six more rhythms while reinforcing the Zumba® formula in an easy, effective class for everyone.
- Zumba Basic 1 – Learn the foundation and formula to teach a Zumba® class. You will learn the steps to four basic rhythms (merengue, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton). You’ll learn how to put these steps together into a song, and how to create your first Zumba class
If you are new to instructor training, you will be required
to complete the Zumba Basic 1
course before you can move on to any other training courses.
You can find the class nearest to you by filling out the New
Instructor information at the bottom of the Zumba Academy page. The costs range
from $200 - $285 depending on what certification you are attempting to acquire
and how early or late you register for the class.
What to expect while at Zumba Instructor training
“The course started with a one hour, non-stop, Zumba party.
After that, they break down the basic steps of the four different dance styles.
Once you have learned the steps you will be broken up into groups and each person
in the group has to choreograph a portion of a song. At the end, everyone comes
back together so that each person has to teach their portion. The finished
program is performed and the students become certified instructors.”
How to keep your Zumba certifications current
Zumba certifications give you a 1 year license unless you
pay the $30 monthly fee to join the Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN). You can sign up to become a ZIN member during
training to receive bonus materials and CD’s. As a ZIN member, your
certifications will not expire and you will also receive monthly music and
choreography packets in the mail.
What employers are looking for in a Zumba instructor
“ The first thing I look for when I want to hire someone for
Zumba is making sure they have their certification. If they’re going to teach
the regular Zumba class, it will be the Zumba Basic. I also look for specialty
certifications. The Zumba Gold for the older adult population, Aqua Zumba which
is in the pool, and then the Zumbatomic, which is for kids. Not only do I want
to make sure they have their certification, but they pay the monthly ZIN fee to
keep it current.”
“Some other things I think are very important are
personalities. Zumba, here, is our most popular class, so I need to make sure
that whoever I’m hiring is a strong candidate in terms of being outgoing and
engaging with the members. They love variety. I see they love the hip hop
style, they like the Latin dances, so they need to show me that they offer a
wide variety and they can teach to different levels.”
“Normally in the hiring process, what I like to do,
especially for Zumba, is I like to have them go into the aerobics studio and
teach in one of the classes for at least 10-15 minutes. I just like to see how
they engage and how their personality shines through.”
Now you know how to become a certified Zumba instructor.
It’s time to “Ditch the workout and join the party.”
Work Cited
Beier, Melanie. Personal interview. 26 Apr. 2013
Wilson, Stephanie. Personal interview. 29 Apr. 2013
Zumba.com. N.p., Web. 29 Apr. 2013.
