Designing choreography can be challenging even for the most experienced group exercise instructor. Understanding that certain movements transition smoothly from one to the next takes time and practice.
MARCH
March – is a step right (R)/left (L) or step left (L)/right (R) (a cue of march R or march L identifies the lead leg)
- March in place – low-high
- March out, out, in, in or V step (fwd out, out, in place, in, in)
- Rock step (R – step fwd R, step in place L, step back R, step in place L)
Repetitions – number of repetitions performed
- 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.
Asymmetrical – when uneven repetitions are performed side to side
- 3 + 1: (hustle) march R, L, R, tap L or march L, R, L, tap R
Rhythm – speed or syncopation
- ½ time, at tempo, double-time (fast or stampede)
- Combination of speeds: ex: Cha, Cha; 1,2 – 1,2,3 (2 tempo – 3 double time) R, L – R, L, R or L, R – L, R, L
Travel and Direction
- Forward
- Back
- Right
- Left
- Circle
- Angle R or L
NOTE: Variations such as number of repetitions, uneven repetitions (asymmetrical), rhythm and speed variations and directional travel can add variety to each base movement.
“SOMETHING” STEP
“Something” Step– is a “something” right (R) on beat one, step R on beat two (do something – touch, knee, kick, hamstring curl, etc. – on one, step on two)
- Heel touch: heel touch on beat one, step on beat two
- Knee lift: knee lift on beat one, step down on beat two
- Kick front or side: kick on beat one, step down on beat two
- Hamstring curl: curl on beat one, step down on beat two
Repetitions – number of repetitions
- Singles, doubles, four, etc.
Asymmetrical – when uneven repetitions are performed
- 2 + 1: heel, knee, kick, or curl step – R, L, R, R – L, R, L, L (single, single, double)
- 1 + 2: heel, knee, kick or curl step – R, R, L, R – L, L, R, L (double, single-single)
Rhythm – speed, syncopated
- ½ time, at tempo, double-time or fast
- Combination of speeds (ex: quick, quick, slow)
Travel and Direction
- Forward
- Back
- Right
- Left
- Circle
- Angle R or
STEP “SOMETHING”
Step “Something” – is a step right (R) on beat one, “something” left (L) on beat two (step on one, do something – touch, knee, kick, hamstring curl, etc. – on two)
- Step touch: step R on beat one, touch L on beat two
- Step heel: step R on beat one, L heel on beat two
- Step knee: step R on beat one, L knee on beat two
- Step kick: step R on beat one, L kick on beat two
- Step hamstring curl: step R on beat one, L curl on beat two
Repetitions – number of repetitions performed
- Singles, doubles, four, etc.
Asymmetrical – when uneven repetitions are performed
- 2 + 1: step touch, knee, kick or curl – R, L, R, R – L, R, L, L (single-single-double)
- 1 + 2: step touch, knee, kick or curl – R, R, L, R – L, L, R, L (double-single-single)
Rhythm – speed, syncopated
- ½ time, at tempo, double-time or fast
- Combination of speeds (ex: quick, quick, slow)
Travel and Direction
- Forward
- Back
- Right
- Left
- Circle
- Angle R or L
NEUTRAL
Neutral– is weight on both feet
- Heel lifts
- Toe taps
- Squats
- Plies
- Hip swings or circles
- Lunges – side to side or split lunge (one foot in front of the other)
Rhythm
- ½ time, at tempo, double-time (pulses)
- Combination of speeds (ex: squats “down 3, up 1”, or “down 1, up 3”)
Generally, a step “something” and a “something” step movement do not flow together in time with the music because a full movement, or step, cannot be completed with the musical beats. If an aerobic segment feels disconnected, a step “something” and a “something” step may be combined in an awkward movement pattern. Using basic movement patterns within the Base Movements for Aerobic Choreography from the options above (march, “something” step, step “something” and neutral moves) will help in this process.