The Teach Fitness Network - Online Resource for Fitness Instructors - Building Choreography Within the 32 Count by Jennifer Padgett

Now that you have the cueing down, you can build your choreography in blocks that take up 32 counts, and then break them down so that you teach each move within the 32-count structure. For example, consider this 32-count hi/low block:

· 2 side-to-side shuffles (4 counts each, 8 counts total)
· 2 scoops forward, 2 scoops back (2 counts per scoop, 8 counts total)
· 4 single knees (8 counts total)
· 2 side-to-side squats (8 counts total)

To break this down within the 32-count structure:

· Start your class in a side-to-side shuffle for 32 counts (8 times total).
· Switch to scoops in place for 32 counts.
· Scoop forward 4x, scoop back 4x (16 counts total -- remember that there are smaller changes every 8 and 16 counts, so the music will help you remember to do 4 scoops)
· Again, scoop forward 4x, scoop back 4x (remember that there are smaller changes every 8 and 16 counts, so the music will help you remember to do 4 scoops. Notice that the combined set of 16 scoops make a whole set of 32)
· Shuffle for 16 counts
· Scoop up for 4, back for 4 (16)
· Again, shuffle for 16 counts
· Scoop up for 4, back for 4 (16)
· Shuffle for 8
· Scoop up 2, back 2 (8)
· 2 Shuffle (8)
· Scoop up 2, back 2 (8)

Now that you have the first two moves covered, and have strung them together, you can move on to:

· Alternating step knee for 32 counts (16 repetitions total).
· Switch to side-to-side squats for 32 counts (8 total).
· Cut down to 8 knees, 4 squats (16 counts)
· Repeat 8 knees, 4 squats (16 to finish the 32)
· Cut down to 4 knees, 2 squats (8 counts)
· Repeat 4 knees, 2 squats (8 counts)
· 4 knees, 2 squats (8)
· 4 knees, 2 squats (8)

So, you have now practiced all parts of the combination, and you can go “to the top” and string the whole thing together into:

· 2 side-to-side shuffles (8)
· 2 scoops forward, 2 scoops back (8)
· 4 alternating knees (8)
· 2 side-to-side squats (8)

Whew! This is not as complex as it looks when it's all written out. In fact, as written, this takes 11 blocks of 32-count music... which, in a 135 BPM tape, is two and a half minutes (11*32 = 352, 352/135 = 2.6) Again, after a while you will not need to actually count the number of repetitions of each move, because the music is doing the counting for you and telling you when to change.