What is freestyle dance?

Freestyle Dance: A Quick Definition

Freestyle dance is an umbrella term for any form of dance that is not bound by fixed choreography or a single defined technique. Rather than following a set sequence of steps, freestyle dancers interpret music spontaneously and expressively, drawing on a wide range of styles and influences. Rooted in 1970s disco culture, freestyle has evolved to encompass dozens of distinct dance styles — from street and hip hop to Latin-influenced forms like Zumba — all united by the freedom of movement at their core.

The question of "What is Freestyle Dance" is compulsory question for those looking to take their Associate IDTA Freestyle Exam. Therefore its important for candidates to know the answer, as they are going to be asked in their exam and it also clarifies the dance style from a practical teaching point of view.

The term Freestyle Dance really needs to be seen as an umbrella term. It is a term which encompasses many different styles of dancing.

Its origins come from the 1970's as a result of the era of disco and in particular John Travolta's dancing in the hit film Saturday Night Fever. At this time, there was a high surge of interest in what was known as disco dancing. People who had never been involved in dancing started wanting to learn to dance and as a result, "Freestyle" was born.

From a dance teachers point of view, back then, there was no written or tabled technique of this new style of dancing. Unlike the Ballroom, Latin American and Ballet worlds, who had a clear and defined dance technique, Freestyle had nothing. This meant that although, John Travolta's dancing was not the complexity of say the Ballet genre of dance, it meant that dance teachers across the country didn't have a particular point of reference to which they all could reference.  

Before too long the Freestyle genre evolved from beyond just "disco dancing". One of the factors that is most important in freestyle is that it is heavily influenced by the music hits of a time. For example, club music in the 80's was very different to the moves and expressions used to dance to the disco/Saturday night fever styles of music in the 70's.

This is the main reason as to why Freestyle dance is an umbrella term because it can adapt, evolve and encompass the modern and developing music, style and dance trends of its age.

This is another reason as to why taking a dance teaching qualification, especially in

Freestyle, is so advantageous as it can cover so many different dance styles. It also gives the teacher a technical knowledge which is adaptable to a variety of different dance forms and styles.

Love to dance? If you're in South London, our Zumba classes in Southwark combine freestyle movement with a full-body workout — no experience needed.

The History of Freestyle Dance

Freestyle dance has its roots firmly in 1970s popular culture. Before freestyle existed as a recognised dance form, social dancing was dominated by structured styles — Ballroom, Latin American, and Ballet — each governed by precise technique and formal examination boards.

Everything changed with the disco era. The release of Saturday Night Fever in 1977 and John Travolta's iconic performance introduced millions of people to expressive, uninhibited social dancing for the first time. Dance studios across the UK suddenly faced a new challenge: students wanted to learn this new style of movement, but there was no standardised technique to teach from.

In response, dance teachers began developing a structured approach to what was essentially unstructured dancing. The IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) was one of the first bodies to formalise freestyle as an examinable dance discipline, giving teachers a framework to teach it and students a pathway to qualify in it.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, freestyle continued to absorb the music and cultural trends of its era — from the sharp, angular movements of 80s pop and new wave to the smoother, more expressive styles of 90s R&B and club culture. This chameleonic quality is what makes freestyle unique among dance forms: it has no fixed identity because its identity is perpetual evolution.

Today, freestyle remains one of the most popular and versatile dance disciplines taught in UK studios, and its influence can be seen in everything from street dance and commercial dance to modern fitness formats like Zumba.

Freestyle Dance Styles: What Does It Include?

Because freestyle is an umbrella term, it covers a surprisingly wide range of dance styles. While different teachers and examination boards may draw the boundaries slightly differently, freestyle generally encompasses:

• Disco and club dancing — the original form, rooted in the Saturday Night Fever era and still the foundation of freestyle technique.

• Street dance — urban styles including breaking, popping, locking and their derivatives, all characterised by improvisation and personal expression.

• Commercial dance — the style seen in music videos and live performances, blending hip hop, jazz and contemporary influences.

• Cheerleading and performance dance — high-energy, formation-based styles with strong freestyle roots.

• Dance fitness formats — including Zumba, which draws directly on freestyle's principle of expressive, music-driven movement to create an accessible workout for all fitness levels.

What unites all of these is the core freestyle principle: freedom of movement, responsiveness to music, and personal expression over rigid technique.

How to Freestyle Dance: Getting Started

The most common barrier people face with freestyle dancing is the fear of doing it wrong. The paradox of freestyle is that there is no wrong — that's the entire point. However, there are some practical foundations that make freestyle feel more natural and confident:

• Listen to the music first. Before you move, let the rhythm settle into your body. Most natural freestyle movement starts with the beat rather than with thinking about steps.

• Start small. Weight shifts, shoulder rolls, and subtle head movements are all freestyle. You don't need big dramatic moves to be dancing — subtle, musical movement is often more effective than overreaching.

• Mirror the energy of the music. Fast, sharp music calls for precise, staccato movements. Slow, flowing music invites smoother, more continuous motion. Freestyle dancers are essentially interpreters — the music tells you what to do if you listen.

• Take a class. The fastest way to build freestyle confidence is in a structured but relaxed group environment. A good freestyle or Zumba class gives you the framework to express yourself without the pressure of performing solo.

From Freestyle to Fitness: Zumba and Pilates in Southwark

If the freedom and expressiveness of freestyle dancing appeals to you, you might find that Zumba scratches exactly the same itch — but in a fitness context. Zumba is built on the same core principle as freestyle: music-driven, expressive movement that adapts to the energy of the track. The difference is that a Zumba class is structured as a full-body cardio workout, burning up to 500-800 calories per session while feeling more like a dance party than exercise.

Our Zumba classes in Southwark are led by licensed instructor Volha (Olly) Paulovich and are open to complete beginners — no dance experience needed. Classes run throughout the week including lunchtime and weekend slots at our SE1 studio, just minutes from London Bridge.

Prefer something slower-paced and more controlled? Our Pilates classes in Southwark focus on the body awareness and movement quality that makes dancers — including freestyle dancers — so precise and fluid. It's the perfect complement to any dance training.

Both classes are based at London Academy of Dance, Copperfield Street, SE1 0EA.