Starting any new adventure in life, regardless of what it may be, can be both exciting and daunting in equal measure. Dancing is most certainly no exception.

Dancing is a fun and exciting way to learn a new discipline, get some exercise, meet new people, and practice one of the oldest arts in the world. It’s expressive, it’s enlightening, it’s liberating, and it’s also a great way to exercise and get in shape.

From the Charleston and Samba to Tango, Rumba, Salsa and street dance, with so many different disciplines to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding which dance you fancy taking up. After deciding which dance you’d like to learn, your last decision will be whether to go with online dance classes or lessons in-person.

Whilst both options have their own unique set of pros and cons, to help you make your mind up which is right for you, here’s a comparison of the two, complete with pros and cons.

Online Dance Classes

In an age where we’re becoming increasingly reliant upon the internet, online dance classes have grown exponentially over the last decade or so.

With online dance classes, you will pay for classes/memberships, and will then log in virtually using your phone, tablet, or computer and take part in a dance class virtually. The classes are typically taught by a professional instructor and will utilize video conferencing technology, similar to what you find in workplaces.

In particular, during the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 – 2022, online dance classes really came into their own and proved extremely popular. Participants can interact with instructors, as well as other students, all from the comfort of their own homes.

Pros

If you’re wondering whether online dance classes are for you, here are a few pros to consider.

Convenient

Without question, one of the most appealing aspects of online dance classes is their convenience.

With classes carried out virtually, members do not need to travel to and from a dance studio, they can simply join in from the comfort of their own homes. All they need is a space large enough for them to comfortably perform the dance steps and routines, a device for logging in with, and a stable internet connection.

More Affordable

Because of the nature of how they’re carried out, coupled with the fact that there is no travel required, no fuel required, (have you seen gas prices lately?!) no parking fees, and no specialist tuition fees, online dance classes are a very affordable way of learning how to dance.

Learn from Past Mistakes

Another great thing about taking part in an online dance class is the fact that you can use each class to learn from past mistakes.

Each class can be recorded, which means you can watch each one back and see where you went wrong. If your timing was out on the Rumba, or if you were particularly stiff during a Tango, you and your tutor will be able to see by watching back, and you can then be corrected.

Cons

As beneficial as online dance classes are, they do still have their drawbacks like anything else.

Here are a few cons to consider:

Less Flexibility for Classes

If you visit a dance studio in person, larger schools will likely have multiple studios and instructors, so you can pick one that fits into your schedule. Online dance classes are often less flexible so you’ll have fewer options to choose from.

Limited Choices

Some, not all, but some studios providing online dance classes tend to provide limited choices in terms of which dance styles they teach. If you have a specific style in mind that you’d like to learn, it is, therefore, worth considering this before signing up.

Lack of Human Interaction

Despite the fact that you can communicate with instructors and other members of your class, chatting online just isn’t the same as interacting with people in person.

In-Person Dance Lessons

In contrast to online dance classes, we have in-person dance lessons.

As the name implies, these are dance lessons that are carried out in-person, either in groups or one-to-one, with a qualified dance instructor at a local dance studio.

As you can probably guess, with in-person dance lessons, there is a great deal more social interaction involved as you will be taught by your tutor, in person, in real time. If you are taking part in a dance lesson consisting of several other members, you will also be able to socialize and communicate with them.

Pros

Considering in-person dance classes? Here’s a list of several pros for you to consider.

Hands-on Tuition

Whilst online dance classes are useful, one of the main drawbacks is the fact that interacting with your tutor is much harder. In person, that isn’t an issue.

With in-person dance lessons, you can ask your tutor as many questions as you like, they can show you how to perform a certain step or routine, and they can correct you. If you’re dropping your shoulders a little too much, they can show you how high you should be holding them, and even help adjust them for you.

Socialization

Another of the main selling points associated with in-person dance lessons is the social aspect.

Dancing in its very nature is a very social activity. We dance in groups at parties and weddings, and many of the world’s most famous styles and routines are performed in pairs. For people looking to make new friends, meet new people, and actually interact with people in real life, rather than from behind a screen, in-person dance lessons are fabulous.

Cons

Now, let’s look at some potential drawbacks you may encounter when it comes to in-person dance classes.

Expense

Because in-person dance classes and lessons are often more specialized, and more desirable, they tend to be more expensive than classes you take online virtually. Then there are other expenses.

In-person classes will have additional expenses such as travel and parking. You’re also more likely to spend a little more on things like bottles of water, or snacks from the vending machine. This may not sound like much, but week by week and month by month, these costs can add up.

Less Convenient

Travelling to a dance studio on a weekend when it’s warm, sunny, and bright outside may not seem all that bad. Travelling on a work night, in the winter when it’s cold, dark, wet, and miserable out? Well, it’s not all that pleasant. It also takes time when you factor in travel and parking.

Online dance classes definitely take the edge in terms of convenience.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, both online dance classes and in-person dance lessons feature a wide range of pros and cons, so deciding which is best for you can be tricky.

Ultimately, neither one, nor the other can be described as being definitively better than the other, as it all comes down to personal circumstances and personal preferences. The important thing is that you’re dancing and having fun.