Ready For The Dance Revolution?

With LES MILLS LIVE AMSTERDAM primed to thrill fitness fans and the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) drawing the global dance community this month, we are reminded of how rhythm connects us – whether through a workout or on the dance floor.

From TikTok trends to VR rhythm games, dance-based workouts are everywhere online – yet translating that into real-world participation isn’t always straightforward. Established programs like LES MILLS DANCE™ and BODYJAM™ offer unique rewards for both Instructors and participants. Is it time to take the lead and bring dance into your teaching routine?

The benefits are huge. Strength, flexibility, balance, endurance and mobility all improve through regular practice. For older adults, dance is particularly powerful – reducing fall risk, supporting independent living, and even improving cognitive function. For many, especially women aged 55+, dance is a way to fight loneliness and engage socially.

It’s this mix – physical challenge, mental boost, and social joy – that has made dance fitness uniquely appealing over the decades.

The Stars Are Aligning

Cultural shifts are boosting the popularity of dance and its perception as a fitness activity, rather than something you do only on a night out. Here are 3 key drivers:

1. The surge on social

In the digital world, dance has exploded, attracting more fans than ever. TikTok users rack up millions of views copying moves, viral challenges sweep across Instagram and YouTube, while hashtags like #DanceFitness draw billions of views. From K-pop choreography to electronic music trends, dance is accessible, social, and highly visible.

Fortnite, Roblox, and VR rhythm games merge music, movement, and play. In August, Roblox hosted Lady Gaga events blending fashion, avatars, and dance in virtual meet-and-greets, boosting daily visits by 78%. VR titles like Beat Saber and Ski to the Rhythm turn full-body movement into gamified cardio, coordination, and rhythm workouts, while LES MILLS DANCE XR pushes dance tuition into Extended Reality.

2. Healthier dance culture

Dance culture has traditionally been driven by nightclubs. For decades, dancing was an activity almost exclusively done on the strobe-lit dance floor of a sweaty dark club, moves fueled by alcohol until 7 a.m. (and then the after-parties, of course!). But now, accelerated since the Covid pandemic, dance culture has shifted as part of a broader focus on wellness, especially among Gen Z.

This shift is perhaps most evident in the number of nightclub closures in recent years. Berlin’s famous Watergate club closed its doors at the end of last year, Melbourne has seen more than 100 venues shut down, and Dublin’s nightlife has shrunk to roughly 20–25 clubs as of 2024.

Meanwhile, daytime and early-evening events – “soft clubbing,” sober raves, and morning dance parties – are booming. Brands like Daybreaker and Morning Gloryville attract multigenerational communities seeking wellness, connection, and movement without alcohol. The Chicago Outdoor Fitness and Dance Festival draws thousands, while Florida’s Fly Dance Fitness is expanding, with a new Charlotte studio planned by the end of 2025.

People still want to dance, and gyms now offer a healthy space to recreate that nightclub feel – in an environment where everyone can feel included.

3. Shifting fitness landscape

The wider fitness industry has begun to move away from the tough mentality of ‘go-hard-or-go-home’ workouts as people look for more holistic and inclusive programs. You may have noticed a while back that Les Mills stopped listing calorie burn counts on its website – part of a broader focus on how workouts make you feel, over how they make you look. Fitness providers worldwide are now emphasizing holistic, sustainable approaches that prioritize enjoyment, mental wellbeing and long-term adherence, over sheer intensity. Dance fitness fits seamlessly into this shift: encouraging movement for joy, creativity, and social connection, rather than punishing the body, making it the perfect antidote to the old “no pain, no gain” mindset.

The Barriers

Even with all its appeal, dance faces hurdles unique to fitness.

Choreography for LES MILLS DANCE and BODYJAM can be trickier than other Les Mills programs and requires patience, explains Les Mills Creative Gandalf Archer Mills, who choreographs the dance programs with the Creative team:

“Other classes start and end with a song, but BODYJAM builds blocks of choreography over 10–20 minutes. You need to get sequences, transitions, and timing down,” says Gandalf. “I break it down step by step, but that’s the hardest part for new Instructors.”

Musicality and experience are also key, notes Les Mills Creative Bianca Ikinofo: “You need a solid foundation, potentially at an intermediate level, because we use full counts, half counts, and sometimes quarter counts. These skills can be learned, but take practice.”

Gandalf agrees: “Our dance programs are the least forgiving. In BODYPUMP™, people can be a little off, but in BODYJAM, even the person doing it knows when the timing is off. If you come in with zero experience, it’s going to be a rough journey.”

For members, fear and shyness can prevent them from giving it a try – even seasoned studio regulars. “The word ‘dance’ scares people,” says Bianca. “It creates fear because they don’t know what to expect… Once they break that barrier, they love it.”

Breaking Barriers

Here are 4 key plays to drive more members into dance classes:

1. Make classes feel like a mini-club

Dim the lights, use mood or strobe lighting, and create a space where participants can move freely without judgment. Take inspiration from the nightclub world. We are not talking high-end AV here, but it’s amazing what difference a few portable special effect lights can make. Dance is about letting yourself go, so it’s worth exploring with your club how to create an environment that encourages that.

2. Leverage social media

Tap into the social media dance craze and consider special classes where participants film their final routines.

Be careful with which tracks you film – music rights can be tricky – but Les Mills Artist (LMA) tracks solve this. Gandalf notes: “We’ve been building choreography using LMA tracks, and it’s a great way to showcase classes safely.”

Search #lesmillsdance and #bodyjam and you’ll find plenty of videos of BODYJAM and LES MILLS DANCE classes, many featuring easy-to-apply, built-in special effects and racking up thousands of views. On Instagram Stories, you can head to Stickers and search BODYJAM or LES MILLS DANCE to add a fun animated GIF over your photo or video.

3. Highlight multi-generational appeal

Dance fitness isn’t just for Gen Z. It resonates with Millennials and older adults too. In marketing and conversations, reflect this diversity to show that classes are fun for all ages.

4. Maximize exposure

‍‍If you teach BODYJAM or LES MILLS DANCE, consider turning the end of each cycle into an ‘event’. Talk to your club about moving a class to the gym floor, or collaborating with other clubs and Instructors to bring multiple groups together for a quarterly showcase. This way, others can enjoy ‘the show’, safe in the knowledge that nobody on stage is a professional dancer and the experience is open to all!

The Future of Dance Fitness

Dance fitness brings together fun, fitness, and social connection. Digital trends show a huge appetite for dance, while cultural shifts highlight people’s desire for experiences beyond traditional nightlife. Dance works because it’s joyful, social, creative, and mentally engaging.

So why not give it a try? Hopefully, we’ll see you on the dance floor!

‍LES MILLS DANCE and BODYJAM Compared

LES MILLS DANCE

• 45 minutes
• 10 tracks, each with 2–4 moves (no memory needed between tracks)
• 3 peak cardio tracks
• Forgiving – easy to follow if you miss a move
• Beginner-friendly

BODYJAM

• 55 minutes
• Mix of standalone tracks + 2 choreography blocks that build over time.
• Cardio rises as routines repeat and intensify
• Less forgiving – requires mastering each move
• Intermediate level