BLOG: A Day in the Life of a Dance Fitness Instructor

Introduction

Ever Wondered What a Day in the Life of a Dance Fitness Instructor Looks Like?

A Life That Found Me

Becoming a dance fitness instructor was, for me, a beautiful accident. I never set out to become one. I was simply looking for a fitness class to attend. I wanted a class that was dance-based and set to music I love. I had tried Zumba®, and while I loved the energy and party-like feel, Latin beats and reggae moves weren’t quite my vibe.

I wanted a workout that felt more ‘me’. As a trained musical-theatre performer, showtunes have always been my go-to, so I knew they would get me hooked, but when I looked around for a fitness class set to showtunes from musicals, (not a dance class, it had to be fitness focused), that type of class didn’t exist. So, I set about creating it – think Zumba meets Broadway! The best of both worlds. Zumba’s fun and fabulous, inclusive dance fitness vibes, but set to big Broadway showstoppers.

That single idea – to blend fitness with musical theatre – grew into ChiChi Fit, and a life of dancing, singing and fun fitness with the most amazing community.

Morning: Waking Up the Performer Within

Every day starts with copious amounts of green tea and fresh ginger (I’m permanently cold!). Whatever the weather, I step outside onto the patio with my first cup of the day, breathe in some fresh air to wake me up, and then set about my day.

First off is 15–20 minutes of gentle mobility and stretching on my yoga mat. If I want to keep teaching long-term, looking after my body is a priority.

Those little rituals – a warm drink, fresh air, stretching – help me show up strong and happy for my classes later on.

Midday: The Business of ChiChi Fit

Once I’m warmed up, I’ll hop on the laptop, check my register to see who’s booked into class, answer messages, and start planning my playlist. It’s the quiet creative part of my day.

That’s one of the things I love most about being a dance-fitness instructor: it fits so easily around life. You can teach one or two classes a week around another job or go for it full-time. Either way, the hours are flexible, the prep is simple, I get to be my own boss, and the rewards are huge. As a mum of two, it’s been really postive for my kids to see me building my business, prioritising both them and my health and fitness.

“You can earn brilliantly teaching a class that lasts just 45 minutes. It’s the happiest, healthiest hour of my day, and it counts as my workout too!”

Evening: Showtime

By late afternoon, it’s time to swap my laptop for leggings.

I consider the musical journey I want to take my class on – from heavy drama (Les Mis, Hamilton), to the more light-hearted (Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia). My pre-class ritual looks a bit like this:

• Choose routines – a mix of big showstoppers and slower, dramatic, emotive numbers.

• Build a playlist of around 10–12 tracks.

• Run through any of the routines I haven’t taught in a while

• Pack my essentials – headset mic, portable speaker, resistance bands, water, playlist print-out.

• Arrive 15 minutes early for setup and a quick catch-up with everyone.

The five minutes before class starts are always full of chatter. What our teenagers have done now, who forgot an anniversary, new aches and pains, menopause chat, theatre visits, you name it, we chat about it!

Once, I was caught out: my mic was on and still recording while I nipped to the loo. Another time, my “irritating-husband” rant was immortalised on camera… and he’s the one who edits the videos! (Sorry – I love you!)

Then it’s showtime. With everyone in place, a silence falls, the opening bars of Phantom of the Opera fill the room, and it’s curtain up on the most exciting and addictive fitness workout, ever! (I may be a little biased, but the waitlists for nearly all my classes suggest there’s a lot of love for getting fit to showtunes).

Every class feels like opening night — the energy, the smiles, the laughter. It’s electric.

“Every week I’m surrounded by the most positive, uplifting people. It’s good for the soul.”

Behind the Curtain: The Funny, the Real, the Remarkable

Being an instructor means embracing imperfection with humour! Making mistakes, having your leggings slide south mid-routine (we’ve had entire debates about the best brand — verdict: none), scratching your nose mid-routine only to witness the entire class copying – it is hilarious.

But the moments that stay with me are the heartfelt ones. When someone quietly tells me,

“ChiChi Fit saved my life.”

They don’t mean it literally; they mean it has helped them feel alive again. Find their confidence. Get back to better health. Moving their body, meeting people, laughing, singing – it’s medicine.

They come for the fitness, but they stay for the feeling. And every week, I get to look them in the eye, say their name, and make them feel seen. That’s when you realise how powerful this job really is.

It’s more than just exercise

“It’s your starring role in a fitness class that makes you the star!”

The Bow – and the Magic That Lingers

Every class ends the same way — with a bow. As the final beat of the cool-down fades, we fold forward together. We’ve danced, laughed, sweated, grimaced and sung for 45 minutes, and in that one collective moment, we bow.

Then, slowly, we roll up through each vertebrae, take a breath, and meet each other’s eyes. The feeling is exquisite. It’s community, connection, and pride all rolled into one.

Sometimes there’s spontaneous applause. Sometimes hugs. Always that hum of shared energy that reminds me why I do this.

Freedom, Flexibility & Forever Fitness

The beauty of this career is how portable it is.

I can teach anywhere – a community hall, a school, a studio, even online. If I moved to another city, I could be running new classes within a week. It’s literally a business in a bag. Wherever I lay my hat…

And because ChiChi Fit has four programmes, it grows with me:

• ChiChi FIT: full-intensity, Broadway-style dance fitness.

• ChiChi ENCORE: slower-paced and lower-impact.

• ChiChi KIDS: energetic, confidence-boosting classes for children.

• ChiChi CHAIR: a joyful seated version for all abilities.

“I love knowing I’ll still be teaching when I’m 90. Maybe just from a chair!”

The Heart of It All

So, what’s a day in my life really like?

It’s a mix of self-care, showtime and socialising. It’s green-tea mornings, laughter over leggings, and bows that leave goosebumps. It’s helping people feel good, and in the process, keeping myself fit, strong and fulfilled.

I realised very early on that I don’t have to be perfect.
I just need to keep loving the music, the dancing, and making people smile.

“I’m not just teaching a class.”
“I’m creating a stage where people rediscover their sparkle.”