How To Get the Most Out of Online Dance Classes

Online dance classes have blown up, especially since the pandemic. Taking class has become easier than ever, but the sheer amount of class choices can be overwhelming. It can be challenging to know what to take online, how to get the most out of it, and stay motivated.

Here are six ways to maximize your online class experience and truly see progress.

1. Set Your Space

One of the biggest challenges of taking dance classes at home is creating a distraction-free environment. Before class starts:

• Move furniture or other obstacles out of the way so you have room to move.
• Let your household know that you’ll be in class to minimize interruptions.
• Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” to keep notifications from breaking your concentration. Seriously. Put it away. I know from experience that a notification coming through can turn into a 15 minute class break.

2. Identify What You Need Most & Find Classes That Align

With so many online classes available, it’s important to be intentional about your training. Ask yourself:

• What am I looking to get out of class? Technique, flexibility, strength, choreo pickup, etc?
• Am I looking to learn new choreography or refine my skills in a specific style?
• Do I prefer fast-paced classes or slower, detailed instruction?

Every online dance class or program is so different. Some classes just quickly go through counts once, which might be enough for advanced dancers but which is super unhelpful for newer dancers who need more direction. Others, like most of Bloom’s online school classes, can be super detailed which is great for beginners, but maybe not ideal for someone who is just looking for a dance workout. 

Don’t sign up for a program or class just because it’s with a cool viral instructor that you like. Make sure their class format and teaching aligns with what you need.

3. It’s Not One and Done – Practice & Retake Classes

Repetition is key to mastering any skill, and dance is no exception. Instead of taking a class once and moving on:

• Rewatch and retake the same class to refine your execution.
• Practice individual sections that were challenging.

By treating online classes as tools for continuous learning rather than one-time experiences, you’ll see noticeable improvement. Even in studio, taking one class and never revisiting the choreography will make the path to improvement so much slower. The consistency of revisiting and polishing movement is what leads to improvement.

4. Use Your Phone – Video Yourself & Review

Filming yourself during class can be a game-changer for improvement, especially when you don’t have access to a mirror at home.

Record yourself at the end of class and watch the footage. What do you notice? What are you doing well and what can you see that needs improvement? Being able to identify these areas of strength and weakness is a huge skill - self-feedback is hard. Compare your video to the instructor to get a more accurate picture of what you might need.

If you’re someone who can be hard on themselves, remember that feedback isn’t personal. Whether it’s coming from an instructor or from yourself, it’s necessary to improve and to become a stronger, smarter dancer down the road.

As one of my favourite choreographers and teachers, Galen Hooks, often says - watch yourself with kind eyes.

5. Put It in Your Calendar

Self-motivation can be tough when dancing at home, so treat online classes like in-person studio sessions.

• Schedule your classes in your calendar just as you would if you were attending in person.
• Set reminders to keep yourself accountable.
• Consider dressing in proper dance attire to mentally prepare yourself for class. By making online classes a scheduled priority, you’ll be more likely to stay consistent and committed.

6. Get Some Friends – Take Class Together

Dancing is always more fun with friends! To stay motivated and make online classes more engaging, invite friends over to take class together at home or rent a studio together. 

You can even take the class separately but then meet up a few days later for a review session where you can go through the choreography a second time and get feedback from each other. Having a friend accountability system makes online classes more fun, gives you connection with others like an in person class, and motivates you to work harder.

Online Heels Dance Classes for All Levels

Bloom’s online heels dance school provides full-length, detailed, online classes for all levels, whether you are brand new to heels dance or just need to improve specific skills in your heels. 

Our school has beginner, intermediate, and advanced heels dance classes, as well as technique classes, sexy chair classes, heels fitness classes, and jazz funk options. There’s something for everybody and there are 60+ videos available under our school memberships. Take a peek at some of our classes.

Wishing you all the best of luck with your online dance class journey! Remember, with the right approach and strategy you can grow online just as much as in person.