POSTED April 16, 2026
5 Dance Fitness Classes in NYC
Looking for a new way to stay fit that mixes up the tired old gym routine? These five dynamic dance fitness classes will work you out while you bop along to your favorite music. All classes take place at the Ailey Studios in New York City and can also be accessed online. Bring your friends or find your community and make working out fun again with dance fitness classes.
1. Hip Hop Cardio
Work up a sweat while you dance to your favorite hip hop beats! This dance-based cardio fitness class is designed to get your heart rate up and work your entire body. Our fun and encouraging instructors lead you through an easy-to-follow sequence of hip hop movements designed to activate your core, tone your muscles, and build your stamina. All while dancing it out to classic and contemporary hip hop music. The class is open to dancers of all experience levels, no prior dance training required.
2. Masala Bhangra
Get your blood pumping in this high-energy, high-spirited fitness class that modernizes traditional Bhangra dance steps with the exhilaration of Bollywood. Derived from two Indian words—“Masala,” which means spicy in Hindi, and “Bhangra,” which is a traditional folk dance from the northern state of Punjab, India—this class is for those who want fitness to feel like a party. The instructor leads you through an easy-to-follow sequence, which you will gradually build on as the class progresses until you’re jumping along to a whole routine. The class can be modified to the comfort level of any student, making it accessible to all.
3. Zumba®
Combining salsa, samba, merengue, and hip hop, Zumba® is one of the world's most popular cardio workouts. Our Zumba® instructors follow the principle that a workout should be fun and easy to do, combining aerobic and fitness interval training with dancing. You’ll be having so much fun, you won’t even realize how hard you’re working. It’s not a bad idea to bring a towel to class, as Zumba® will have you sweating by the end.
4. House
Through its deep connection to the strong rhythm of house music's heavy bass, this class will have you moving through dynamic sequences that get your heart rate up, all while exploring your freedom of expression to infectious dance, lounge, and funk tracks. Our instructors break down the basic house dance steps, including jacking, skating, chase, salsa hop, sidewalk, stomp, and shuffle step, building a solid foundation that will help you find your rhythm. By the end of the class you'll have upped your endurance and stamina.
5. Pilates
If you're looking to target the body’s core while stabilizing and strengthening your body in a focused way, join our Pilates classes. These sessions develop the body’s deeper endurance muscles, helping prevent injury and bringing the body into alignment. Ailey Extension offers two Pilates classes: Pilates Fusion, a progressive fitness class that includes elements of yoga and dance technique, and Romana's Mat Pilates, designed for all levels to give you a safe but effective workout. Bringing a yoga or Pilates mat is recommended.
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