Breakdance

Breaking — its original name — is the acrobatic, athletic dance style at the foundation of hip-hop culture. It's built from four main elements: toprock (standing footwork), downrock (floor footwork), power moves (spins and dynamic acrobatics), and freezes (held poses).

It's part dance, part athletics, part self-expression, all danced to the DJ's break. Breaking demands strength, rhythm, coordination, and creativity in equal measure — which makes it a natural fit alongside parkour and freerunning.

Breaking was born in the early 1970s in the Bronx, New York, created by Black and Latino youth as one of the four pillars of hip-hop culture, alongside DJing, MCing, and graffiti. Dancers — b-boys and b-girls — battled to the breakbeats DJs looped from funk and soul records.

From block parties in New York it spread across the world, growing into a global culture and a serious competitive scene. In 2024 breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport in Paris — a long way from where it started, but still rooted in the same spirit of creativity and battle.

At HUB, breakdance is its own class inside our youth and teen program. Coaches break down the foundations — toprock, footwork, and freezes — and build toward power moves as strength and control develop. Like everything we do, it's taught in progressions on padded floors, so athletes build real skills safely.

Breakdance runs at both gyms during the week — check the Classes page for current days and times.

Breakdance is a great fit for kids and teens who love music, movement, and a challenge. It builds serious strength, coordination, and rhythm — and it pairs perfectly with parkour and freerunning for a well-rounded, expressive athlete. No dance experience needed to start.