How to Do Floor Aerobic Dance Steps

Aerobic dance classes, also called floor aerobics or dance-fitness classes, are an excellent choice for burning calories and improving heart health. Music pulses, the instructor shouts instructions, and class members move in unison to work up a sweat. Some people will miss out on all the health benefits and fun of aerobics because they are unsure about keeping up with the dance steps. If you want to join a dance-fitness class, you can practice several basic steps on your own and quickly learn to follow along with the group.

Instructions

    • 1

      Learn the basic two-count steps. Music in aerobics classes is usually counted in eight beats. Two-count steps serve as the building blocks of four-count steps and longer combinations.

      Step-Touch. Step out to the side on your right foot and then touch your left foot in next to it; then step out on the left foot and touch your right foot in. Move “step-touch, step-touch” side to side. Also do this stepping forward and back.

      Step-Heel. Step on your right foot and extend your left heel out to the front, and then step back in place with your left foot and extend your right hell in front. Alternate step-heel, step-heel. Also do this extending the heel out to the sides.

      Step-Knee, Step-Kick, Step-Kickback. Step on your right foot and bring your left knee up toward your stomach; step back down on your left foot and bring up your right knee. Alternate step-knee, step-knee. Practice this same step with a low kick forward instead of a knee up. Also practice with a kick of the heel back, diagonally across the back of your legs.

      Step-Together. Step on your right foot and then step in with the left foot in to meet it, feet together. Keep traveling to your right, beginning with your right foot. Step-together, step-together is a one-direction move. Also do this to the left, starting with your left foot.

    • 2

      Learn the basic four-count steps. Aerobics instructors will often combine two-count steps or do a few classic dance moves in four counts.

      Step-Together-Step-Touch. Perform step-together followed by step-touch with the right foot leading, then immediately go to the left. Move from side to side. Also do this step moving forward and back.

      Grapevine. Step right foot out to the side, step left leg behind it, step out again on right foot, and then touch the left foot in. Repeat to the left, starting with left foot out to the side. Step-behind-step-touch, step-behind-step-touch. This is also done with the foot crossing in front instead of behind.

      Walk-Walk-Walk-Knee or Kick. Starting with right foot, take three steps to the front (right, left, right) and then lift the left knee toward the stomach for the fourth count. Walk back (left, right, left) and then lift the right knee toward the stomach. Repeat forward and back. Also do this step with a low kick of the leg instead of lifting the knee.

    • 3

      Learn combinations of two-count and four-count steps, adding arms if desired. Instructors mix basic steps and use them with different arms for variation. For example, try step-touch-step-heel or step-knee-step-kick. Grapevine is often finished with a clap on the last step on each side.