Hip Hop Dance for Beginners: Count, Basic Steps and Your First Class
Welcome to the world of hip hop dance! This style feels like pure energy and personal expression. It has its roots in the street dance styles that grew with hip hop culture in New York in the 1970s. You will love how it encourages you to find your own groove rather than obsessing over perfect technique.
Beginners really enjoy hip hop because you can dance it solo or with a group, making it incredibly flexible. It is all about feeling the music and letting your personality shine through the movements. Grab your favorite sneakers with some grip and get ready to have a blast on the dance floor.
Style card
- Partner
- Solo or group
- Music and count
- 4/4, counted in 8s; grooves often bounce down on the beat
- Impact
- Moderate
- Shoes
- Sneakers with some grip
- Basic steps
- Hip Hop Two-Step, Running Man, Body Roll, Bounce (Groove)
- Roots
- Street dance styles that grew with hip hop culture in New York in the 1970s
Hearing the music
Hip hop music is written in 4/4 time, which means you will count the beats in sets of eight. Listen for the heavy bass or the snare drum to find the rhythm. As you count from one to eight, focus on the downward motion. In hip hop, your grooves often bounce down right on the beat, giving the dance its grounded and heavy feel.
The basic steps
- Hip Hop Two-Step 1, 2, 3, 4
1&2&3&4&step (weight change) touch, kick or sound hold - Running Man and-1, and-2
1&2&3&step (weight change) touch, kick or sound hold - Body Roll usually over 2 or 4 counts
- Bounce (Groove) on every beat (down on the beat or up on the beat)
1&2&3&4&step (weight change) touch, kick or sound hold
Your first class
- You will start with a warm-up focused on isolating different parts of your body.
- The instructor will teach a basic groove to get everyone moving to the beat.
- You will learn short combinations of steps broken down into eight-counts.
- The class will practice the routine slowly before speeding it up to the actual tempo.
- You will finish with a cool-down stretch to relax your muscles.
Practice at home
- Put on your favorite song and practice a simple Bounce (Groove) by bending your knees and dropping your weight on every beat.
- Step side to side to the rhythm to master the Hip Hop Two-Step.
- Stand in front of a mirror and try a Body Roll by moving your chest, stomach, and hips in a smooth wave.
- Practice the footwork for the Running Man slowly by lifting one knee and sliding the other foot back.
The workout side
Hip hop dance offers a moderate impact workout that really gets your heart pumping. Because you are constantly bending your knees and bouncing, it heavily challenges your leg muscles and your core stability. You will build stamina and coordination as you memorize the routines. It is a fantastic way to break a sweat while simply enjoying the music.
Beginner mistakes
- Dancing too stiffly. Bend your knees and relax your shoulders to let the groove flow naturally.
- Looking at your feet. Keep your chin up and look straight ahead so you can maintain your balance.
- Rushing the beat. Listen closely to the heavy bass drum and make sure your downward bounce lands right on the count.
Styles to try next
When to check in with a doctor or physical therapist
- A sharp or sudden pain in your knees when you bounce.
- Persistent lower back ache after practicing body rolls.
- A rolling sensation or popping noise in your ankle during footwork.
General information, not medical advice. If you have a heart, joint or balance condition, are pregnant or are returning after an injury, check with your doctor or physical therapist before starting a new dance workout.
How this page was made. Style data (count, shoes, impact, basic steps, general origin) compiled by the Rhythm Desk from common teaching practice. Text drafted with AI assistance and checked by the Rhythm Desk; see how we write. Last checked October 2026.