High-energy moves, loud music, and the opportunity to torch calories… Zumba’s got it all. As one of the most popular fitness classes worldwide, the workout attracts people of all fitness levels.
If you’re thinking about becoming a Zumba instructor, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons to decide whether it’s right for you.
In this post, we’ll do just that and explore some alternatives that will enhance your career and earning potential.
What is Zumba?
Zumba is a fitness programme that takes inspiration from Latin dance moves and combines them with aerobic exercises. While there are many types of Zumba, traditional dance classes are more popular.
The main goal of these classes is to build strength, enhance flexibility and improve cardiovascular health.
Why do people love them? Well it’s simple: They get to dance, socialise, and lose weight.
Research from YouGov lists Zumba as the UK’s 40th most popular physical activity, while Future Data Stats estimates that the market will be worth $149.2 billion in 2030, an increase of almost $76 billion from 2023.
How do classes work?
Zumba classes are usually in groups, with each session lasting up to 60 minutes. As a trademarked brand, certified Zumba instructors can only teach authentic classes, but Level 2 Gym Instructors can take inspiration from traditional moves and integrate them into fitness sessions.
In most sessions, the classes gradually increase in intensity, but many gyms offer low-intensity sessions for beginners and higher-intensity classes for experts who want to burn more calories.
The advantages of investing in Zumba instructor training
If you’re interested in becoming a licensed Zumba instructor, you’ll need to complete an accredited course, which ensures you can teach trademarked classes in gyms and health clubs. The initial training costs £378.24, but there are options to progress and take specialist courses.
Let’s take a look at the pros of investing in Zumba training.
Follow your passion
Many Zumba instructors start off as class participants and develop a passion for the classes. If you’ve witnessed positive results from Zumba and would love to help others, you can turn your experience into a rewarding career and look forward to helping others with their fitness goals.
Few people get to pursue a career that actually interests them, but the accessibility of Zumba courses means that you can ditch the 9 to 5 and look forward to work.
Build your confidence
Zumba instructors come from a range of backgrounds, but they should all have one thing in common: energy. It will be your job to motivate other participants and ensure they engage with the classes.
Over time, this can improve your confidence and public speaking skills, transforming other areas of your life.
Being able to help other people enjoy a healthy lifestyle and learn dance skills is rewarding, but leading classes can help you develop the confidence you need to progress within the fitness industry.
Flexibility
Obtaining a Zumba certification gives you flexibility, as accredited trainers are always in demand. In most cases, you can run Zumba classes in gyms and fitness centres across the UK or even freelance to supplement your income.
If you’re already a qualified fitness instructor and work in a gym, you can potentially increase your hours or work towards setting up your own business.
Join the Zumba Instructor Network
Licensed instructors can become members of the Zumba Instructor Network, which provides access to a global community of professionals. Being able to communicate with other instructors can help you develop your skills and enjoy long-term career growth.
The official Zumba website also provides a ready-made kit, which ensures you can teach your first Zumba class with confidence. It also provides access to Latin American dance moves and music.
Many people love the network because it’s incredibly supportive and can open up international opportunities.
Earning potential
Considering that your initial training is highly affordable, the earning potential of Zumba instructors is another major draw. The average Zumba instructor’s salary can be up to £36,000 a year (Glassdoor), but you could make more money if you freelance or offer online classes to a wider audience.
Instructors are also in high demand, which means you can set yourself apart from other candidates when applying for jobs.
The disadvantages of a Zumba Instructor course
Zumba instructor qualifications are great if you want to teach classes to students and love the high-energy workouts, but they’re not for everyone. When deciding whether a certification is right for your fitness career, it’s essential to consider the drawbacks of Zumba certification courses.
Long-term commitment
When you decide to invest in Zumba instructor training, you’re making a long-term commitment. From understanding the principles to keeping up to date with new routines and music, the career path requires a great deal of passion and willingness to learn.
If you enjoy Zumba classes but are unsure whether you can fully commit to the training and ongoing development required to become a professional instructor, you might want to consider other fitness courses.
Physical demands
While some fitness paths let you take a back seat sometimes, you’ll need heaps of energy if you want to teach Zumba classes. You’ll lead every session, performing dance moves for your participants and ensuring they can keep up with the choreography.
Advanced classes require even more motivation, and even the most active trainers can find the ongoing demands too rigorous – especially when teaching multiple weekly classes.
Limited growth
The fitness industry has a lot of growth potential, but professional development for Zumba instructors can be somewhat limited. Yes, you can undertake further training to offer sessions like Aqua Zumba, and self-employment is possible, but other certifications offer more opportunities.
For example, if you invest in a Level 3 Personal Trainer Diploma, you’ll be able to work with clients of all fitness levels and support them with nutrition, too.
Creativity restrictions
As a trademarked brand, Zumba expects its instructors to follow a specific exercise format, including choreography and music. Other courses give instructors more freedom, but you might find that Zumba limits your creativity.
Other courses might be best if you love the idea of developing your own fitness classes and tailoring sessions to each participant’s needs.
What’s the best alternative to a Zumba instructor qualification?
As you can see, Zumba courses aren’t for everyone, and they can limit your career options. If you’d prefer more diversity and the opportunity to use your own teaching style instead of following strict programmes, an Exercise to Music Instructor course might be best for your needs.
These courses teach you vital skills, including:
Maintaining health and safety in group environments
Developing exercise sessions and identifying the right types of music
Supporting your clients to make healthy lifestyle changes
Understanding your legal requirements
While you won’t be an official Zumba instructor, you can still integrate Latin American dance moves into your sessions and offer clients more diversity.
Other alternatives include:
Group Fitness: If you love the idea of working with groups but aren’t too concerned about integrating music into the sessions, a Level 2 Group Training certificate gives you more options than the traditional Level 2 Gym Instructor certification.
Personal Training: Many people choose a Personal Trainer Diploma because it’s a qualification that supports long-term career growth. PTs have a diverse client base and can help you build a successful business.
The bottom line
Is a Zumba course right for you? It depends on your immediate and long-term goals, so consider your dream career and whether Zumba suits your needs.
If you do decide to invest in training, remember to approach the course with an open mind and engage with qualified instructors.
Remember, the fitness industry offers so many opportunities, and limiting yourself could mean you miss out on them. The Fitness Circle specialises in supporting students of all levels on their learning journey.
Our courses are 100% online and come with flexible payment options. Please book a free call today to discuss your goals.
