Answers (13)
2
Hi Lorraine,
There are a few things to consider when formatting a class to teach.
1. Make sure the BPM of the music is appropriate: For step aerobics (or Hi/Lo floor format that you are suggesting you would like to teach) anywhere from 130-138 would be a safe tempo.
2. Find the 32 count: Every phrase of fitness music has four 8-counts which together, create a phrase. This is where you will plan your combonation. Listen for the up beat and down beat. You should be "stepping" on the up beat.
3. Get Ideas: Order fitness DVDs, attend classes, look up choreography online. Once you take some ideas, (or make up your own!) you will need to put them together. Don't forget, since you are not confined to a step, dont be afraid to move big!
4. Plan a routine: Put the moves together in a way that flows. Make sure the routine can be done on the left and right foot, preferably one right after the other.
5. Teach it: Break it down one move at a time. Repeat the first move several times, then add the second move. Do them back to back. Introduce the third move, repeat it. Add the fourth move. Do the third and fourth move together a few times. Put them all together. Cueing ahead of time is the most important part of any class!!
6. Practice Practice Practice!
Example Routine:
8 (4) Grapevine right (4) Power squat/ 2 jump claps
8 Twist
8 4 Skis R/L
8 4 Jumping Jacks
Repeat with left grapevine.
In health,
Grace
There are a few things to consider when formatting a class to teach.
1. Make sure the BPM of the music is appropriate: For step aerobics (or Hi/Lo floor format that you are suggesting you would like to teach) anywhere from 130-138 would be a safe tempo.
2. Find the 32 count: Every phrase of fitness music has four 8-counts which together, create a phrase. This is where you will plan your combonation. Listen for the up beat and down beat. You should be "stepping" on the up beat.
3. Get Ideas: Order fitness DVDs, attend classes, look up choreography online. Once you take some ideas, (or make up your own!) you will need to put them together. Don't forget, since you are not confined to a step, dont be afraid to move big!
4. Plan a routine: Put the moves together in a way that flows. Make sure the routine can be done on the left and right foot, preferably one right after the other.
5. Teach it: Break it down one move at a time. Repeat the first move several times, then add the second move. Do them back to back. Introduce the third move, repeat it. Add the fourth move. Do the third and fourth move together a few times. Put them all together. Cueing ahead of time is the most important part of any class!!
6. Practice Practice Practice!
Example Routine:
8 (4) Grapevine right (4) Power squat/ 2 jump claps
8 Twist
8 4 Skis R/L
8 4 Jumping Jacks
Repeat with left grapevine.
In health,
Grace
1
Hi Lorraine,
To add to the excellent advice Grace gave:
~ Find at least one excellent instructor and take as many classes as you can from them. Approach one of them and ask if they would mentor you.
~ Go to conferences and workshops!
~ There are Internet sites such as http://www.turnstep.com where you can get ideas and help from experienced instructors.
~ Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. Find some buddies who will be your "guinea pigs" and give you feedback.
~ Some universities and clubs have instructor training programs - check for what is available in your area.
Best of luck!
To add to the excellent advice Grace gave:
~ Find at least one excellent instructor and take as many classes as you can from them. Approach one of them and ask if they would mentor you.
~ Go to conferences and workshops!
~ There are Internet sites such as http://www.turnstep.com where you can get ideas and help from experienced instructors.
~ Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. Find some buddies who will be your "guinea pigs" and give you feedback.
~ Some universities and clubs have instructor training programs - check for what is available in your area.
Best of luck!
1
When I hear "walking aerobics" the first name that pops in to my head is Leslie Sansone. I would suggest watching a few of her DVD's.
The music bpm that you choose will depend on the intensity of your walk routine whether it is low, moderate or high intensity -
High impact aerobics is when both feet are off the floor at the same time, whereas in low-impact one foot is kept on the floor at all times. Since high impact involves both hopping and jumping the beats per minute of the music will be higher than with low impact exercise such as walking aerobics so choose your music accordingly with each "beat per step"
The music bpm that you choose will depend on the intensity of your walk routine whether it is low, moderate or high intensity -
High impact aerobics is when both feet are off the floor at the same time, whereas in low-impact one foot is kept on the floor at all times. Since high impact involves both hopping and jumping the beats per minute of the music will be higher than with low impact exercise such as walking aerobics so choose your music accordingly with each "beat per step"
1
Not sure what you mean by "walking aerobics"...do you mean low-impact?
Bottom line, teaching to music, requires musical timing. As good way to learn this is get with someone who has good musical timing and ask them to help you. Once you understand phrasing and beats per minute, you can put moves to the music.
Bottom line, teaching to music, requires musical timing. As good way to learn this is get with someone who has good musical timing and ask them to help you. Once you understand phrasing and beats per minute, you can put moves to the music.
1
There are many cuing techniques, but the 'gold standard' if you will, is 32-count cuing and phrasing, as explained above. With the mastery of 32-count cuing comes the ability to improvise, synchronize and synergize each class session. First, assess your skill and abilities by asking yourself the following: Do I have a good sense of rhythm? Can I just dance freely to music, making up moves as I go along getting into the groove? Do I love using music as my helper in my classes? Mastery of 32-count cuing provides additional benefits such as making it easy to improvise combinations that flow effortlessly and match the music, makes it easy to work out each side of the body evenly, makes it easy to synchronize the group's movement. And then comes the entry into the zone. This is what mastery of 32-count can provide you.
1
Practice Practice Practice! You really need to learn the 8 count/32 count. You need to listen to your music way ahead of time so you know where to transition and master the counts. Take lots of classes and see if you can hear the counts!
1
it's depend on what format of group exercise class and what style of teaching that you want to do. It's depends on what your supervisor prefers.
You don't have to teach on the 32-count phrase, if you don't want to. The truth is teaching on the 32 is one style of teaching and you don't get paid more money because you use it.
Music Styles:
Background music:
walking, running, Bootcamp, Kickboxing,physical education/activity, circuit training, interval training, mind/body training
32-Count (32 count combination/routine)
Low impact, hi/lo, step training, cardio dance, cardio kickboxing
*these classes can be taught on music that is 8-count phrase or 16-count phrase. Who said you have to make up a 32 count routine. You can make up 8-count, 16-count routines
Have you seen a step class to Waltz music 3/4 time?
it's was done at the IDEA Fitness Conference.
Have you seen a step class starting on count "2" of the 8-count of the music? It's a Latin dance style. Example "Dancing with the Stars?
Have you ever seen the "deaf and hard of hearing" take a group exercise class. They don't care about 32.
Have you seen cardio classes with 6-count or 12-count routines?
If you haven't yet, then I recommend that you broaden your mentors who really know how to utilize music for different teaching styles.
Whatever style(s) that you decide, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. It's up to you on how you want to use the music.
You do have to 'marry your music" Know your music.
Some instructors were not born with the "ear to hear" and will not master it. Hopefully, you can at least master the "beat"
At least get music that is easier to hear the 8-count and/or 32-count. Then you have to find the right mentor that can help you truly improve your music adaptation skills.
You don't have to teach on the 32-count phrase, if you don't want to. The truth is teaching on the 32 is one style of teaching and you don't get paid more money because you use it.
Music Styles:
Background music:
walking, running, Bootcamp, Kickboxing,physical education/activity, circuit training, interval training, mind/body training
32-Count (32 count combination/routine)
Low impact, hi/lo, step training, cardio dance, cardio kickboxing
*these classes can be taught on music that is 8-count phrase or 16-count phrase. Who said you have to make up a 32 count routine. You can make up 8-count, 16-count routines
Have you seen a step class to Waltz music 3/4 time?
it's was done at the IDEA Fitness Conference.
Have you seen a step class starting on count "2" of the 8-count of the music? It's a Latin dance style. Example "Dancing with the Stars?
Have you ever seen the "deaf and hard of hearing" take a group exercise class. They don't care about 32.
Have you seen cardio classes with 6-count or 12-count routines?
If you haven't yet, then I recommend that you broaden your mentors who really know how to utilize music for different teaching styles.
Whatever style(s) that you decide, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. It's up to you on how you want to use the music.
You do have to 'marry your music" Know your music.
Some instructors were not born with the "ear to hear" and will not master it. Hopefully, you can at least master the "beat"
At least get music that is easier to hear the 8-count and/or 32-count. Then you have to find the right mentor that can help you truly improve your music adaptation skills.
0
Hi Lorraine,
I read your responses to the comments. I'd like to offer my help. I've worked with many aspiring instructors. You can visit my profile on IDEA Fitness Connect or my webpage at www.mixfitness.net. Click on Fitness Education for an explanation of the online course I teach.
I read your responses to the comments. I'd like to offer my help. I've worked with many aspiring instructors. You can visit my profile on IDEA Fitness Connect or my webpage at www.mixfitness.net. Click on Fitness Education for an explanation of the online course I teach.
0
listen listen and listen to your music ...the better you know it the easier it is to teach....
find a mentor who will work with you patiently over and over.... and after you have done all you can do search your soul and decide if this is really your career path... it is not easy to please a group of diverse people... if you really cannot hear the music or find the beat you may want to consider another type of class that is not relying on choreo or beat driven style..... good luck
find a mentor who will work with you patiently over and over.... and after you have done all you can do search your soul and decide if this is really your career path... it is not easy to please a group of diverse people... if you really cannot hear the music or find the beat you may want to consider another type of class that is not relying on choreo or beat driven style..... good luck
0
It's not as easy as one may think
I knew and still know teachers who can't get on the right phrase of the 8 count, they start in the middle and it drives me nuts!
Sit and listen and as Michelle said, find someone who can assist you
Also, don't feel beholden to the music, it's ok to stop and pause and start again, we're all human!
I knew and still know teachers who can't get on the right phrase of the 8 count, they start in the middle and it drives me nuts!
Sit and listen and as Michelle said, find someone who can assist you
Also, don't feel beholden to the music, it's ok to stop and pause and start again, we're all human!
0
I have taught step for over 2o years and although feel I work with the beat. I have never really used 3 count phrasing yet have always had a consistently busy class. I havebeen asked before why I do not "work" with the music, my answer has always been I like basic choreography and higher intensity. When I started I did not really understand music phrasing and because the class has remained busy I never pursued it further. Whenever I am away and another instructor covers who does use the 32 counts the class do not enjoy it as much as they are used to me. I do appreciate though that to some people my stlye is not for them and they can then go to a class they enjoy with Phrasing. Maybe I should look at 32 count as presently I just work on the bass beat
0
Almost all instructors, whether they be aquatic, step, hip hop or other form of aerobic instructor learned by taking someone else's class. You learn a few routines and then you sort of get a feel for it and then it becomes much easier to create your own choreography.
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Bottom line, teaching to music, requires musical timing. As good way to learn this is get with someone who has good musical timing and ask them to help you. Once you understand phrasing and beats per minute, you can put moves to the music.