I’ve always dreaded cardio—the thought of slogging through a treadmill session isn’t my idea of fun. But then I found DivaDance in Austin, and suddenly, getting in shape feels less like a chore and more like a night out with friends. Here’s how this dance studio is changing the way I move.
My DivaDance experience
DivaDance offers a variety of classes throughout the week, from hip hop to dance fitness, with difficulty levels ranging from beginner-friendly to challenging. I decided to sign up for a hip-hop class set to Sticky by Tyler, The Creator.
When I arrived with my guest, I was greeted by Taylor, the lead instructor, and the DivaDance staff. They introduced us to the space—a large studio lined with tall mirrors. After stashing our belongings in cubbies, the class started with an easy warm-up to loosen up our muscles before diving into the choreography.
Taylor broke the routine into five sections, teaching each one slowly and without music first. Since Sticky is a fast-paced song, she took time to explain every move, making sure everyone could follow along. Once we got comfortable with a section, we added music to practice at full speed.
As someone who’s relatively new to hip-hop dance, I found the choreography challenging—but in a good way. Taylor offered alternative moves to accommodate different skill levels and body types, ensuring no one felt left behind. She also opened up the floor (pun intended) for questions about any of the dance sequences, creating a supportive and welcoming environment.
After we learned all five sections, we put it all together and rehearsed the full routine multiple times, both with and without music. By the end of the hour-long session, I felt empowered, confident and just a little bit like I was in a music video. Then Taylor split the class into two groups: one group performed while the other cheered them on.
I’ll admit, I didn’t nail every single move, and I was a little bummed to learn that no class at DivaDance is ever repeated. But on the bright side, the constant rotation of new songs and routines means every class is a fresh and exciting experience.
As someone who isn’t a fan of traditional cardio and lives a mostly sedentary lifestyle, DivaDance gave me a way to move my body that didn’t feel like a workout, but still got my heart rate up. The challenging-yet-fun class showed me that cardio doesn’t have to be boring or dreadful—it can be exciting, confidence-boosting and even empowering. Whether you want to learn the choreo from Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show or throw it back to oldies like “Pop, Lock & Drop It,” DivaDance has something for everyone.