I want to jump start my career as a Zumba instructor for seniors (55+). I am in Long Beach and would appreciate any leads.
It is most likely the city of Long Beach has a Rec and Park and they most likely have classes for the 55 & better. I would start there. Zumba Gold has been a big hit at my Golden Gate Senior Center this spring session. Good Luck and if you are a zumba gold instructor there is a fb page with lots of info.
Hi Charla! Congrats for being young at heart! I, too, love Zumba and took the Basic 1 workshop three months ago. I am 61 yrs old (or young), but can move as fast as the young’uns 🙂
Zumba workshops do not certify, but license you for one year. Certification requires study, passing a test, and proof of knowledge and skill. Zumba workshops do teach you a lot and everyone passes 🙂
I live in Seattle, and the market here is pretty much flooded with instructors. Outlying or rural areas have more opportunities than big cities (IMHO). Also many (not necessarily all), usually require you to have a Primary Group Fitness Certification. The Zumba people encourage you to do this because more and more places require this for insurance purposes. ACE, AFAA, ASCM, and others offer study courses. Before you get started ask at the places where you would like to teach…if they do or don’t require Primary Certification. If they don’t, then you can write up a quick resume about your fitness experience and attach a photo and then you will need to audition by presenting a routine. You need to speak directly to and hand your short resume to the Group Fitness Exercise Coordinator at whatever gym or club you are seeking to teach at. And hope for that call to come in and audition!
I have my Zumba license and it is good for one year. I did not join ZIN at the time, because it is a bit expensive (since I have no job) and I could not justify paying for that and the big expense in paying for my Primary Group Fitness Certificate ($300 dollars or so). I am assuming you signed up for ZIN? Most of the people in my workshop did. I did not and that is o.k., because I have one year to decide whether this will work for me without spending money needlessly. If I land a teaching spot then I will certainly want and need the help ZIN offers.
Wish you the best and hope you land a teaching slot. I am crossing my fingers because I plan to apply to several chain gyms here as soon as I get my certification results back.
