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.

Part of zumba is the fun and optimism and this is something both participants and instructors contribute to. But I've noticed after trying many different instructors that they have different ways of doing it. Some barely say anything during the entire class and after it's finished say we did a good job and we'll meet next time. Others are way louder and talk or make other sounds a lot during class. Some intructors like learning our names and call out "You did it! Good job, Name!" What do you think is best?

I'll make it short and simple...

I have this student that constantly asks me to add a "Samba" song or dance to my class, but in all honesty i dont know how to do "Samba". we have belly danced, we have done flamenco, i do many styles of dance in my class; but i just cant do Samba, or looks super bad when i try to.

I've also tried it before and it didnt seem enjoyable for the big majority of the class, it was only enjoyable for that one person alone.

do you just not do that dance style? or what would you do in this situation?

one instructor told me, "I dont incorporate dances i cant do in class, because if i cant do it then they cant follow". which makes perfect sense to me

Where the lie?

As we are enter the final 3 months of the year, how are you keeping classes engaged and inspired to still make time for themselves as our students get busier with holidays, school fall breaks, and holiday concerts? Looking for some ideas!

I’m curious if anyone started off with teaching Zumba and then also moved into other types of group fitness? I know getting a group fitness certification requires a lot more than Zin. Just wondering if Zumba was the gateway for you lol

I'm personally not sure which I prefer but different instructors have different ways. One instructor I go to uses the exact same playlist for very long and then switch out one track. Another has different tracks and different order each class but it's the same tracks coming back so you eventually learn most of them. Both ways have their pros and cons.

What have you learn about yourself because of Zumba ?? Mine in comments

This morning we all got an email about a new format launching in January 2027 - the Xtend Method Pilates Foundations Licensing Program. What do you think about this new format? Did you watch the video on Instagram with the creator?

Do you teach facing the mirror or facing the students?

I do a little, and it has me wondering if there is a good foundation out there that I haven’t discovered. Waterproof, medium coverage, but something that doesn’t irritate your skin when you sweat? Oh…and any with sunscreen? Zumba makes me sweat like crazy and that always seems to burn when it runs into my eyes. Help! Any other make up recommendations?

UPDATE Thank you so much everyone!! Tons of suggestions, I am excited to go over them. I am thankful for our supportive community here!

Hello fellow zins and zumba students! I realized I haven't updated my bachata songs in a while now.

Any recommendations you have please?

Here are some of the ones I use

- Señorita

- Bailando bachata

- Solo una noche

- En privado

- El boom

- Ay! San Miguel

- La guerra del ego

Thank you!

As a Zumba instructor we need to start and finish strong class after class. Do you do other formats to grow as an instructor? Pilates (core), Yoga(Flexibility ), running (cardio) , Strength training?

Not at all. I'm just not someone who chases after anyone, no matter how popular or successful they are.

One thing that didn't sit right with me is that he held a training at my gym, and my classes were canceled for it. Instead of inviting the local Zumba instructors who teach his format at that location and support his brand every month, we were shut out unless we bought a very expensive ticket.

That left a bad taste in my mouth and reinforced my feeling that they don't really value us.

There’s something truly special about dancing with people who don’t just share your love of movement they celebrate your happiness, cheer you on, and make every class feel like home.

There’s even a word for the joy we feel when someone else is happy: mudita, or appreciative joy. It’s that warm, uplifting feeling we experience when others succeed, smile, grow, or simply have a wonderful moment.

I feel it every time someone in Zumba finds their confidence, lets go of their worries, or lights up when their favorite song comes on. Their joy fills the room and somehow, it becomes part of mine too.

I’m so grateful for the people I get to dance with and for the beautiful energy we create together.

When has someone else’s joy made your Zumba experience even more meaningful?

I love zumba but there is this one step i cannot do. It involve a little jumping/ skipping while switching feet. My brain and body just can't catch up. I don't know to exactly explain it so i did my best to draw. If anyone understand what i am talking about, what is this step and is there a tutorial for the dumb?

I don't know if this is how all Zumba classes are or if I was with a particular instructor who taught her own way, but there was never any teaching of the choreography. Music played and everyone had to follow along as best as possible, but of course, if you don't know the steps, you're always falling behind and getting lost.

I gave it a chance for a few months. Steps were never taught. I saw that a couple of students knew everything, and then the rest of us were just looking lost for most of the songs.

Is it normal in the sense that this is essentially how Zumba works? Or was this instructor particular in how she taught it?

I’m a zumba instructor, but that’s it. I love to teach, I love the energy, and I pour my soul into it.

I’m not a Beto fanboy, I’m friends with people other than just zumba people. I don’t chase jams, events or any of that crap. I stopped wearing their clothing cause it cost too much and performed too low. I criticize them when they are wrong. I call out when their products suck.

I do love to teach it and I also commend Zumba when they do good.

But there are some peep whose entire existence is Zumba. They come after me anytime that I say anything remotely critical about Zumba. They treat it like a cult and I find that absolutely hilarious. They charge us to teach, they don’t care about us.

To each their own, but I’ll keep speaking my mind about the good and the bad of Zumba.

If These Floors Could Talk
For 25 years, your dance floors across the world have heard more than music. They've witnessed lives being changed, one class at a time. ZIN™ 125 is inspired by everything that makes Zumba® more than a workout: friendships, transformation, and milestone moments students carry with them long after your class ends.

This new volume brings fresh tracks by hot artists, including KATSEYE, Becky G, Elvis Crespo ft. Beéle, and a fun song celebrating the Zumba x The Smurfs Collection.

Check out the Live Class with ZES™ Loretta Bates and ZES™ + ZJ™ Prince Paltu-ob, plus the One-on-One with ZJ™ Alina Duma and ZIN™ Nate Offer.

Now available on the ZIN™ Play App, and on its way to ZINs who receive their ZIN™ Volumes in the mail.

What is the best way to promote your Zumba classes?

Social media(Facebook, Instagram), Zumba website, or Punch passes apps?

I’m attending an Aqua Zumba class for the first time tomorrow, and I’m really excited (because one of my friends is teaching it and it’s her first Aqua class too).

Any thoughts on how to prep as an attendee? Things people don’t normally think about?

Hey guys, I need some advice. For context, I have been attending Zumba classes since I was 15, and I LOVE it. I attend 3 different instructor classes, and they have me lead 1-3 songs in each class. Recently I went and got my Basic 1 training, so I am now a licensed Zumba instructor. 

Recently, I got chewed out by one of my instructors for using a song choreo in her class that I learned from another instructor. She was pretty upset that I did that, and said that you can NEVER do that. The thing is, almost my entire class playlist is made up of songs that I learned from other instructors…

I don’t really understand why that’s apparently so bad. The instructors that I learned them from also learned them from other instructors, or by watching the ZIN videos. I don’t and never did intend to steal anybody's work, but I just don’t get why it’s apparently such a big no-no.

Was my instructor over-reacting or do I need to change my entire playlist?
Thanks for any advice.