There’s something special about teaching group fitness—something beyond the playlists, the routines, or the calorie burn.
It’s the people.
I’ve been teaching Aqua Zumba three nights a week for a while now, and it didn’t take long before I realized… this group? They weren’t just showing up for a workout. They were showing up for each other.
They laugh together. They check in when someone’s been gone. They cheer each other on when someone new comes to class. We’ve celebrated birthdays, supported each other through injuries and loss, and somehow, between the salsa beats and splashes, real friendships have formed—including with me.
It’s the best part of my job.
And here’s the thing:
Creating community in your class doesn’t just mean snapping a group pic at the end of a workout (though I love a good sweaty selfie).
It’s about what happens between the moments:
The “how’s your mom doing?”
The high-five and check in after someone’s first class.
The inside jokes that start mid-routine and somehow stick.
It’s more than just fitness. It’s connection.
Group fitness instructors: You have a huge opportunity to create that kind of community.
It’s more than just giving cues or picking good music. It’s about helping people feel seen, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves.
If you’ve ever felt that spark in your class—or if you’re trying to build it—here are five ways you can actively foster community in your group fitness classes:
1. Learn Names, Use Names
It seems simple, but learning your participants’ names goes a long way. It tells them they matter. Even calling out a few people per class—“Great job, Maria!” or “Welcome back, Chris!”—starts to build those connections.
Bonus: when you say someone’s name, others start learning it too. That’s how friendships begin.
2. Create Small Rituals
This can be anything: a consistent warm-up song, a group cheer at the end, or a birthday shout-out tradition. In my Aqua Zumba classes, we almost always do the Zumba classic merengue song, “Fiesta” and now it’s our thing… Complete with singing along to a song you might only find in our class. Those little inside moments bond people.
3. Celebrate Progress (Even the Tiny Wins)
Not every success looks like a transformation photo. Sometimes it’s someone showing up consistently for two weeks straight. Or remembering choreography. Or just having a little more energy.
Point it out. Celebrate it. People love feeling recognized—and when you do it out loud, it encourages others to do the same.
4. Foster Connection Beyond the Workout
Encourage your group to chat before or after class. Introduce people to each other: “Hey, it sounds like both you and Kris love the same song!” That little connection might be all someone needs to feel like they belong.
If it feels right, you can even create a private Facebook group or group chat for schedule updates, sharing wins, or hyping each other up. The class ends when the music stops, but the community doesn’t have to.
5. Be a Real Person, Not Just a Leader
You don’t have to be the Perfect Instructor™. Be you. Share when a move challenged you. Laugh when you mess up. Tell them when you’re tired too.
People connect more deeply with instructors who feel human—because it gives them permission to show up as they are, too.
Final Thoughts:
The energy you bring as an instructor sets the tone. When you create space for joy, support, and connection, the workout becomes something more than just movement—it becomes meaningful. That’s when people stick around. That’s when they show up, not just for the fitness… but for each other.
So show up. Smile. Say hi. Shimmy a little.
Your next class could be the start of someone’s new favorite hour of the week.
Want to swap ideas or brainstorm ways to bring more connection into your classes? I’m always up for a good chat (and coffee). Let’s connect.
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