There are pros and cons to creating your own class choreography. You get the chance to be creative, have the ability to be YOU and tailor class to your clients. Unfortunately, for some, not knowing where to begin only brings anxiety. Barre instructors that choose to write their own choreography each have a unique formula for crafting the perfect barre class and it only improves with experience - believe us, it won't always take you 2 hours to prep.
Here's our Barre Intensity barre instructor training blueprint for putting together your class choreography.
1. Pick Your Prop
Your props 100% dictate your choreography, which is why we start here. Understand that props have many uses. Hand weights only, weights and ball, band day? Think outside the box!
Our favorite prop other than hand weights? The BALL. Check out our online Ball Choreography Workshop for easy to implement choreography and inspiration.
Pro Tip: As we cover in the Barre Intensity Barre Certification, keep your prop selection minimal. No more than 2 props per class.
2. Set Your Playlist
If you like a consistent BPM, spending 10 minutes or less on a playlist, and don't mind a randomized selection of songs, check out apps such as Rock My Run or Fit Radio. If you're looking to change tempo from one song to the next and love having control over song selection and order, then Spotify and Apple Music are a great way to go. Some instructors choreograph to the music (typically those that use Spotify or Apple Music) and others choreograph based off time.
Pro Tip: As we cover in the Barre Intensity Barre Certification, figure out which type of planner you are (music vs time) as that will make a big impact on your preparation.
3. Choose Your Moves
Select the main exercises for each section of class and fill in with variations. Don't get caught up on how many of each exercise you do. Remember, you either plan to music or time. Barre isn't about the number of reps.
Here's what a plan for Thigh section could look like:
- Thighs: Chair & Lunge
- Chair Pulses (heels down)
- Chair Pulses (heels up)
- Chair Thigh Squeezes In
- Full Range Chair
- Lunge Pulses
- Lunge Thigh Squeezes In
- Lunge Thigh Squeezes Out
- Lunge Full Range with Option to Knee Lift
- Lunge Series Second Side
Pro Tip: As we cover in the Barre Intensity Barre Certification, in general, each move/variation should be executed for 45-60 seconds. That's 12-16 eight counts! Consider anything 2 eight counts or less a transition.
In need of assistance putting together choreography? Barre Now is your guide to class choreography, music and more.
4. Practice
Practicing doesn't mean teaching your class beginning to end to yourself, phew! What it does mean is reviewing your class choreography notes, testing out your music with a few of your choreography selections (make sure your BPM and song selection is adequate for the exercises), listening to and adjusting your playlist as necessary, and showing up to the studio 15-30 minutes early to test some of those new moves you haven't taught before.
Pro Tip: As we cover in the Barre Intensity Barre Certification, never try a move on your clients you first haven't tried on yourself.
Have class planning tips and tricks of your own? Let us know in the comments section!