As you might know, I’m a huge health and fitness advocate. I really believe people need to find workouts they enjoy so they can stick to their goals. I’ve been teaching a hip hop class at Base for the past 6 years and I consider it my meditation. Laura is an amazing hip hop fitness instructor, as well, and she actually took my class many years ago. She ended up becoming an instructor herself! She now offers classes at various locations and the best part is you don’t need a gym membership. You just show up and twerk it out for a super fun workout session. She’s also major #bodygoals! So if you’re looking for a fun workout without committing to a gym, you should definitely check her out!
What’s your name?
Laura Miller.
What do you do?
I teach my dance fitness class HipFit with Laura, and I provide hand-lettering (menus, chalkboards, event signage, etc.) for restaurants and businesses in Jersey City and New York through my other business, Letter By Laura. I’m also a commercial voice-over actress.
I didn’t know that!
Yeah, I’ve been doing that since 2009. All of these other things fell in as ways to supplement that career, that income.
You do a lot. You’re a girl boss. How do you manage everything?
Everything’s really fluid, so it’s kind of day-to-day. A lot of my voiceover auditions are last-minute and some lettering work can require quick turnaround, so the challenge is just making myself available for everything. I try to say “yes” to it all and just make it work.
The dance class was pretty organic. I had to keep my afternoons open for other work, so I started with a small evening schedule, knowing it would likely grow or change once I got a better idea of the interest in the class. The schedule is pretty set these days, so it serves as a constant when everything else I do is all over the place.
How did you get into teaching?
I started taking dance fitness classes a few years ago – Zumba, your class at Base, etc. With Zumba, I felt like it was okay, but something was missing. Your class was way more up my alley and was a big inspiration; the music, the vibe. I loved going to it. I wanted something like it to be a bigger part of my life. I got in touch with Chelo at Grassroots about starting a hip hop dance fitness class there. I did, and luckily people caught wind of it, kept coming, and now I have a following of people that I love. These women are awesome and have helped me achieve the cool, inspiring, and supportive workout scene I was hoping for.
That’s awesome. How long have you been teaching now?
It’s been over two years. I started July of 2014.
Did you have a dance background before?
I did. I grew up dancing. I started when I was four and kept going through high school. I did ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, all that stuff. I went to a pretty serious ballet school in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, where I grew up. I knew I wasn’t going to be a professional ballerina, but never stopped enjoying dance or seeking outlets for it, so this felt natural. Going to class was cool, but I wanted to LEAD it.
That’s how I started!
Right! I don’t have to scramble for my spot in the room if I’m always at the front! It’s the best part!
But really, my favorite thing about teaching has been witnessing people improve and feel better about themselves. A client once told me that my class made her “better at dating,” and I was floored by how much that meant to me. If I can help someone feel sexier, stronger, more confident all the tiring evenings are worth it.
And you teach a lot. I teach once a week, and I’m exhausted.
Yeah, it’s a lot. I teach six times a week at two different locations – twice at JCBarre Studio (Monday 6 PM and Saturday 10 AM) and four times at Grassroots (Tuesday 8 PM, Thursday 8 PM, Saturday 11 AM, Sunday 7 PM). My Grassroots classes are part of the packages I offer. If a client were to buy a package through me, they could go to any of those classes. JCBarre is separate and offers their own pricing/packages that include my class at their location.
Sometimes its definitely hard to get off the couch, but once I’m there, and feeling the energy in the room, it flies by, and I always feel great afterward. I was never someone who LOVED working out, so I’m thankful that this class (that I love) also happens to be a killer workout.
How much are classes? Can people drop in?
Yes! It’s $20 a class. With new clients, they get their second class free. You just pay your first visit and come back for your free 2nd class within a week. Then it’s $20 for drop-ins after that, or you can buy a package – 5, 10, or 20 classes – the bigger the package, the bigger the savings. The packages do expire, so they motivate you to come! Currently, no pre-registration is required, though this may change in the future.
Would you say your classes are good for beginners?
Definitely! And you don’t have to be a “good dancer.” You just have to have an interest in dance as cardio. It’s a non-stop class, meaning I don’t stop the music to go over the choreography. Instead, it’s designed to be followable. We do around 14-15 routines per class, and I verbally cue the students throughout. Obviously, the more you come, the more you learn the routines and start to feel more and more comfortable with them.I also incorporate some high-intensity stuff like squats, jump squats, high knees, burpees, pushups, etc. so you’re really getting a workout. Anyone can modify or take it at their own pace if they need to.
Do you live in Jersey City?
I do, and I’ve been here since 2005.
How do you feel Jersey City has changed?
Well, I miiiiight get priced out, but I think a lot of changes in this town have been great! New restaurants, bigger and better spaces for new and existing businesses, good shopping, more community endeavors… the amount of stuff to do here is awesome. And I feel a lot of pride for this city. Having lived here so long and having done a bunch of local lettering work, I have a lot of love and appreciation for so many businesses here. Plus, everything’s so accessible from our location. The city’s right there, the beach, the country, mountains…For now, I can’t imagine where else I’d want to be.
Do you have a favorite Jersey City hangout spot?
Well, I live to eat, so to mention just a few faves: Hamilton Pork’s breakfast burrito saves me every Saturday after back to back classes, I’m a longtime fan of Madame Claude Bis (particularly, the huevos rancheros and chicken cous cous), and Koro Koro gives me LIFE. For the most part though, I love a good house-hang. I teach so many evenings that, more often than not, I’m relaxing at home, working on a project from the couch while watching a creepy movie, or chilling at a friends’ place. I’m also known to occasionally LIGHT UP Porta’s dance floor.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you or your classes?
I think what makes HipFit stand apart is that yes, it’s dance fitness, but it doesn’t look or feel like typical aerobics. Instead, most of my routines can easily segue between class and the club! You’re gonna get fit AND feel fly doing them. Plus, it’s a friendly, supportive, judgment-free group of people participating. If you’re feeling hesitant, nervous, or intimidated, I want you to know that HipFit is a safe and inviting space. Everyone in the room is either watching me or watching themselves, so just do you and don’t worry! You are definitely going to burn calories and (hopefully) be sore, but you’re also going to HAVE FUN, meet some great people, and hone some new dance skills over time. What’s not to like, ya know? It’s a guaranteed sweat-sesh set to super fun hip hop, pop and R&B. Oh, and I also offer private parties/group classes if that’s something you’re interested in!
I really hope you give it a try!
Leave a Reply