5 Favorite Cardio Dance Inspired Workout Classes in Los Angeles 2019
Needing a fresh new workout in LA that doesn’t feel like a workout? Are you wondering which dance cardio classes are the BEST in Los Angeles and will seriously get you into shape? Then please, check out these 5 unique dance fitness classes below. These dance classes are not your typical follow along cardio dance classes. Each one is unique and is the best of the best in Los Angeles. Beginners are welcome to each.
1) Flight School at Align Ballet Method
What it is:
Flight School is a drop-in CARDIO AND TONING BALLET CLASS for adults (beginners are welcome!). Flight School is amazing for core conditioning, lengthening, posture, and of course, cardio. This unique class uses ballet bars to jump from bar to bar in ballet leaps, as well as ballet leg points and arabesques. Resistance bands, crunches and planks are added for extra toning and conditioning.
Flight School is unique from other ballet method workouts such as The Barre Method or Cardio Barre in that Flight School is actually taught by a ballerina and is held in a beautiful ballet studio in downtown Los Angeles. Flight School is held at Align Ballet Method, a dance company that hosts ballet technique, ballet fundamentals, as well as advanced ballet workshops for adults and beginners.
Flight School begins with stretching and lengthening on the bar and then transitions to the cardio portion of high intensity graceful jumps from bar to bar. In between leaping rounds, the teacher adds resistance bands and jumping squats with a ballet flair, and pilates-like leg lifts for extra benefit. Finally, Flight School closes with stretching and lengthening on the bar to add flexibility, and posture alignment.
Why I love it:
This is truly a unique Ballet Bar class. There aren’t many high-intensity cardio ballet classes (for all levels) held in an authentic ballet studio taught by a real ballet teacher. The modern and current playlist of this class is fun and unique to dance along to. Flight School a great workout where you can also learn ballet movement along the way. The time flies by! (and so do you :) )
Make sure to bring ballet shoes! If you don’t have ballet shoes, socks are welcome! (Grip socks would work best). But, order some ballet shoes off Amazon or Google the nearest dance store near you and get to this cardio class! :)
*Ballet adult beginners are welcome are encouraged., no previous ballet experience is required. However, you will probably learn how to do a ballet “arabesque” which is fun.
Where to take it:
Check Instagram @alignballetmethod and Align Ballet Method’s website for Flight School times and locations. Flight School is currently held in Align Ballet Method’s gorgeous Downtown Los Angeles studio space.
2) NuMove with Manu
What it is:
Nu Move is a follow along dance class led by instructor and dancer Manu. Nu Move’s method combines Dancehall, hip hop and burlesque-y type dance movements into this fast paced cardio workout class. The playlists and movements are updated by Manu himself, which keeps the classes fun and exciting. Nu Move is a great class for those who have dance experience AND for those who don’t have any dance experience. Since the movements are follow along, the dance level is up to you! You will probably get better from class to class!
Why I love it:
The workout you get from Nu Move will whip you into shape real fast. The class leaves you feeling tired, like you really had a great work out, but also inspired, because you were just having fun dancing to fierce combos to Lady Gaga with other fierce dancers. You leave feeling like you just came from a music video rehearsal with your other dance team members. The ironic thing is, is that that probably isn’t too far from the truth, as you could have your lucky day and be cast into any of the numerous collaborations and projects that Manu works on in Los Angeles.
So, bottom line, show up to class and work it. Slay, drop it, and repeat. Also, check out his schedule on Instagram for Manu Moves Los Angeles schedule. You will probably want to cancel your gym membership.
Where to take it:
Check Instagram @manumoves for class times and studio locations.
CHECK MANU’S LATEST DANCE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE! <— Tell me afterward you don’t want to go try out a Manu Moves class after that! :)
3) Grooves with Kennis
What it is:
Grooves is a follow along CARDIO HIP HOP class taught by dancer and choreographer Kennis Marquis. Kennis has choreographed videos for P. Diddy, Britney Spears, LL Cool J, Ludacris, to name just a few. Grooves is held at the famous Playground LA dance studio off Melrose Ave., a studio known for their master classes taught by current industry choreographers.
Grooves is perfect for beginners and advanced dancers, the main point is the amazing workout. In this drop in dance workout class, you follow Kennis Marquis’ Hip Hop movement which changes every 8 counts or so. The class is continuously full, but there is always enough space to dance and get your work out in, since the front desk will stop reserving drop ins if it hits capacity (sign up through the Playground LA app a few hours ahead of time!)
Why I love it:
I love how fun this class is and it doesn’t feel like a workout at all, but you’re getting an hour and 15 minutes of cardio in and in a fun and sexy way. Grooves is about following dancer Kennis Marquis’ movement and getting better at your movement along the way. So it’s like a killer workout where you have the space to become a better dancer at the same time. Kennis Marquis also includes a few songs for freestyling which is always fun. (Everyone is freestyling at once so there is no reason to be self conscious if you tend to be). It is fun to be surrounded by other dancers who are currently in the dance industry, who are there just to get a great workout!
Where to take it:
Check Instagram @kennismarquisofficial and @theplaygroundla for studio times and locations. Visit PlaygroundLA’s website for Grooves class time.
4) Plyojam by Jason Laydon
What it is:
Plyojam is a high intensity, non-choreographed, follow along dance class combined with high intensity PLYOMETRICS. Celebrity and dance fitness trainer Jason Laydon created and co-founded Plyojam. Laydon decided to combine his passion and love for dance with a high intensity workout, and that’s how Plyojam was born.
Plyojam is unique in that this cardio dance class combines high intensity bursts into the follow along dance routine. Plyos are known as jump training exercises in which muscles exert maximum force in short intervals of time. Have you taken a follow along dance class that adds dance inspired HIIT training into it before? No, probably not.
Additionally, the follow-along dance routines are choreographed by Laydon himself or by Plyojams master choreographer, who was an American Dance Idol finalist. The choreography continuously changes so the routines are fresh and new. Unlike a Zumba class, Plyojam is faster-paced, more intense, and the class choreography is more burlesque-y, modern, with added plyometrics, and high intensity bursts, as opposed to a more relaxed follow along salsa class which is Zumba.
Plyojam’s playlists are continuously updated. The water breaks are minimal and short, which is perfect when you’re really there to dance and work it out.
Why I love it:
The feeling after this high intensity dance workout class is like you seriously got an amazing workout and you don’t leave feeling like youcould have “done something” a little more. I always look forward to going, since it’s just a fun place to listen to great music and dance it out. It’s fun to actually look forward to where you’re working out! This cardio class is dance based, however the movements are easy enough for non-dancers to enjoy and feel like they really are a dancer dancing to what’s new in the industry.
Where to take it:
Check Instagram @plyojam and Plyojam’s website for class times and locations. If you’re in Los Angeles, FIND A PLYOJAM CLASS HERE.
USE DISCOUNT CODE: “STONE” <—FOR $50 OFF AN ANNUAL ONLINE MEMBERSHIP!!! YES, THERE IS ACCESS TO STREAM PLYOJAM ONLINE!!
*ACTUAL PICTURE OF ME AFTER A PLYOJAM CLASS! IT LEAVES YOU SWEATY AND HAPPY!
5) Back to Basics Dancehall with jae blaze
WHAT IT IS:
Back to Basics Dancehall is a high-intensity dance class that combines instruction of the basics of Dancehall with a fun, nonjudgemental environment to work out and dance. The teacher and creator of Back to Basics Dancehall, Jae Blaze, is an award-winning choreographer who has choreographed routines for Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and more.
You have seen Dancehall in recent music videos including Rihanna’s, Kanye West’s, Sean Paul’s, to name a few. Dancehall’s movement is flowy yet fierce, and quickly switches from dropping down to ground with body rolls from your upper torso while your bottom half is rolling in a different direction, and then you stand up again.
Although Jae Blazes’ Back to Basics Dancehall class is a dance based workout and there are experienced dancers taking the class— there are also beginners who take it. As long as you are there to learn and work! Blaze pushes you to be better and do better every time, and thus you become a better dancer while getting an amazing workout.
Blaze’s class Back to Basics Dancehall stresses the importance of learning Dancehall movement, from proper weight distribution to proper energy flow. Dancehall includes isolation movements, sometimes 3 movements in 3 different areas of the body at the same time, and stays low to the ground and forward rather than straight up and linear like hip hop.
The class does not involve learning choreography routines, it is similar to a grooves Dancehall class. Some dancers are there perfecting a movement while following along, while others are there learning the movement in their body for the first time. As long as you follow the movements demonstrated and then translate it into your own body, and strive to be better you will be welcomed in the class and get a great workout!
It is also cool how Blaze teachers the history of Dancehall during water breaks and names the movements, so you not only get a workout, but you really are learning the basics of Dancehall.
WHY I LOVE IT:
Foggy mirrors after Back To Basics B2B Dancehall class
Back to Basics Dancehall is a one hour intense work out that flies by because it is so fun. With all the dropping to the ground and up again and body role movements, you are getting an amazing workout without even realizing it since you’re focused on learning the movements in your body. At the end of the class the studio glass is normally fogged up and it’s not unusual to see other dancers or yourself drenched in sweat. There are not many breaks, so be ready to work out.
Back to Basics Dancehall does not include weights or resistance bands, but if you’re like me, you won’t need it anyway, it is intense enough. However, she does teach another Dancehall class WITH resistance bands, which you can find on her Instagram.
WHERE TO TAKE IT:
Check Instagram @b2bdancehall for all locations and class times.
To sum up, these are the best workout dance classes in Los Angeles where beginners are welcome. Sign up now! Good bye gym, hello movement and dancers body.
Xx,
Laura
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