Freestyle Academy by AFP - Class of 2027
Seven days of STEP & LIA training and competition for 18 coaches, from May 1st to 7th, 2027 in Bombannes. And at the end, a final under the pagoda, in front of the entire AFP audience.
18
places
49 h
training
3
international trainers
1
final under the pagoda
January 31.
Applications close
The concept
A promotion, every 2 years
The Freestyle Academy is a week to develop your coaching skills. You live with 17 other coaches, you build your courses in workshops with 3 international trainers, you review each evening, and you take the stage during the AFP.
This isn't just another internship. It's a demanding training program, a competition, and a week you won't forget. And the whole week is filmed, with one episode per day so the public can follow the adventure with you.
The first promotion takes place in 2027, the next one in 2029.
Who is this for?
Do you recognize yourself?
The Freestyle Academy is aimed at coaches who already teach STEP or LIA and who want to take things to the next level: better engage their group, work on their musicality, gain stage presence, and get noticed.
What you will gain from it
- Skills: pedagogy, music, technique, posture.
- Visibility: a week filmed, one episode per day.
- Recognition: the AFP stage, in front of its entire audience.
- For the best: conventions in France and abroad, a cash prize, and for the winner, a coaching position at AFP 2028.
The program
7 days, 49 hours, 5 modules
01
Pedagogy & facilitation
With the 3 trainers, in team teaching
Learn all the teaching methods and how to lead a class on stage, for beginners as well as advanced students.
02
Music & Movement
With Ben Bodin
Learn how to create your own mixes and enhance the texture of your lessons using music.
03
Technique & posture
With Arthur Lottiaux
Learn how to manage space on stage and work on your posture, for more style and elegance.
04
The team teach
With the 3 trainers
To learn how to host with others and share the stage.
05
The evaluations
On the AFP stage
14 hours of competition in front of an AFP audience.
The team
Those who are going to grow
The trainers
All three of them teach you pedagogy together, in team teaching. And each one also brings their own specialty.
Pedagogy + facilitation
Karim Ben Romdhane
(Karim Kouki)
Co-founder of WeFit Tunisia, presenter and trainer in freestyle fitness. With him, you will build a class that engages everyone, and lead it as a team.
Her Instagram
Pedagogy + music & movement
Ben Bodin
Mix trainer and creator of B MIX. With him, you will make the music speak in every movement, create your mix and prepare your final show.
Her Instagram
Pedagogy + technique & posture
Arthur Lottiaux
Fitness presenter and freestyle specialist, based near Tours with Néoforme. With him, you'll refine your technique and style so your body speaks before your voice.
Her InstagramThe management
The sponsor of the class of 2027
Co-director
Kathleen Crossoir
She follows you from your application to the final. With Yoan, they ensure the smooth running of the training and the competition.
Her Instagram
Co-director
Yoan Gimbres
He follows you from your application to the final. Together with Kathleen, they ensure the smooth running of the training and the competition.
Her InstagramThe sponsor of the class of 2027
Sponsor of the class of 2027
Yamine Saoudi
On Thursday, he watches the semi-finals. On Friday morning, he gives you his feedback and advice for the rest of the season. On Friday, he teaches his class under the pagoda and judges the final.
Her InstagramYour week
What does it look like? your week ?
We live together, we build our courses in workshops, we review our progress every evening in class council meetings, then we perform on stage at the AFP. And the whole week is filmed: every day, an episode is released on YouTube.
Sat. May 1st
Let's get started!
Integration session, masterclass to review your course, and team announcements. In the afternoon, the first pedagogy workshop.
Sun. 2nd to Tue. 4th May
We build
Workshops covering pedagogy, cueing, mix creation, dance, technique and style, stage presence, freestyle and team teaching, and team coaching with the 3 instructors. Every evening, a class council: the instructors review your progress with you, and your effort earns you points that determine your performance order.
Wed. May 5
1st round
In the morning, you refine your beginner team-teach lesson for the afternoon and have your final class meeting. In the afternoon, the competition begins! You take the stage, and no one is eliminated. The points you earn determine your performance order for Thursday.
Thursday, May 6
The semi-final
Each competitor will have 20 minutes to perform before an exceptional jury. Intermediate level, STEP or LIA. Only 5 will remain.
Fri. May 7
The final
Under the legendary pagoda, in front of the entire AFP audience. 30 minutes of advanced-level training, enough time to have a blast and express yourself!
Sat. 8 and Sun. 9 May
You're taking advantage
The competition is over, you experience the end of the AFP by participating: the classes, the lake, the gala evening.
See the detailed schedule +
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat. May 1st | 9am-10am Integration and launch · 10am-12pm Masterclass followed by lessons, positioning and announcement of the 3 teams | 2-5 pm Pedagogy, with the 3 trainers in team teaching · 5-6 pm Team coaching | 6 p.m. Class Council · 7:30 p.m. Evening Event |
| Sunday, May 2 | 9am-10:30am Creating your mix #1, with Arthur and Ben · 10:30am-12pm Cueing, with Karim and Ben | 2 p.m. Dance, with a guest instructor · Body technique and style, with Arthur and Ben · 5–6 p.m. Team coaching | 6 p.m. Class council |
| Mon. May 3 | 9am-10am Muscle awakening · 10am-12pm Intermediate and advanced training, with the 3 instructors in team teaching | 2-4 pm Create your #2 mix, with Ben and Karim · 4-6 pm Freestyle in a real-life situation, with Karim and Arthur | 6 p.m. Class Council · 7:30 p.m. Evening Event |
| Tue. May 4 | 9am-10:30am Stage presence and performance, with Arthur and Ben · 10:30am-12pm Block building, with Karim and Arthur | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Team teaching, with Karim and Arthur · 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Freestyle #2 and cueing in context, with Karim and Ben · 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Team coaching | 6 p.m. Class council |
| Wed. May 5 | 9am-11am Finale run-through, team dress rehearsal · 11am-12pm Class council (final evaluation) | 2-3 pm Team coaching, final briefing · 3-6 pm First round, in team teaching, beginner level | |
| Thursday, May 6 | Semi-final, solo, intermediate level, all day | ||
| Fri. May 7 | Preparing for the final and reviewing the semi-finals, with Yamine | Finale under the pagoda, solo, advanced level | |
Lunch break from 12pm to 2pm from Saturday to Wednesday. Download the schedule in PDF format
What you earn
What you earn, in real life
A cash prize for the top 3.
1st
1 000 €
2nd
700 €
3rd
300 €
For the winner
Your coaching position at AFP 2028.
Thanks to our partners
Dates in France and abroad.
1st: JapanFit, Carrefour des Experts, Snatch Besançon, Event EKKO, Prestige Weekend Belgium and Néoformes, in 2027.
2nd: Supersonic Bordeaux, Tawada Paris and White Night, in 2027.
3rd: Cenac Bordeaux, in 2027.
And for everyone
New skills, visibility and a week that changes the way you coach.
Everything is filmed
Each day, an episode
The whole week is filmed: the classes, the workshops, the class councils, the doubts, the fits of laughter... and the final under the pagoda on May 7th.
One episode per day, online the next day on YouTube. Your family, your students, and the entire AFP audience follow your adventure day by day. And for the final, the public also votes.
The price
1 000 €, all inclusive
Your training, your accommodation, your meals during training and your AFP pass: it's all included in the price.
What's included
- 49 hours of training with 3 international trainers
- Your participation in the competition, on the AFP stage from Wednesday to Friday
- 8 nights on site, from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th May
- All your meals during the training (meals during the AFP are optional)
- Your full AFP pass, from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th May: you have access to the entire festival, and on the weekend, once the competition is over, you can make the most of it.
The true value
If you booked all of that separately:
49-hour training course
2 200 €
Accommodation for 8 nights
450 €
Your meals during training
200 €
The competition
150 €
Your full AFP pass
310 €
Total value
3 310 €
Your price
1 000 €
What is not included
Transportation to Bombannes and meals during the AFP (optional) are included. Want to arrive the day before? The night of Friday, April 30th is €20.
The payment
You pay after your application is validated. Only the €20 application fee is payable upon application, by bank transfer.
The funding
Your training may be eligible for funding.
We're waiting for the latest information from our partner IPMS regarding funding by your OPCO or training fund. More information coming very soon.
I am applyingThe council
Plan ahead: you can submit your funding application even before you're selected. This is the best way to ensure your funding application is approved, because processing times can be lengthy.
Your financing contact
Kathleen and Yoan are the ones who are handling your funding application with IPMS.
hello@aquitainefitnessparty.fr
Kathleen: 06 70 85 20 71
Yoan: 06 20 77 30 15
Training organization registered under activity declaration number 24 37 01974 37 with the Prefect of the Centre-Val de Loire region, Qualiopi certified. This registration does not constitute state accreditation.
How to apply
3 steps, 18 seats
01
Your file
You fill out the online form and upload your identity document, your civil liability insurance certificate and your medical certificate, or the certificate of fitness (Download it hereThen you pay a €20 processing fee by bank transfer (RIB), labeled "FA File" + your name.
02
Your presentation video
3 to 5 minutes to introduce yourself: who you are, your background, why you.
03
Your educational videos
Two videos: 10 minutes on a step aerobics demonstration, filmed in front of an audience, and a video of the finale. Show us how you get your group involved.
You upload your 3 videos to a Google Drive folder shared via a link.
And then what?
Yoan or Kathleen will call you back to discuss your project and funding. You will receive a response on February 15, 2027.
Deadline
Sunday, January 31, 2027
Before 11:59 PM
Are you coming to AFP?
You experience competition too
You're not a coach, or not this year? You can still experience the Freestyle Academy from the inside, from the audience. You come, you settle in, you support the coaches... and for the final, you also get to vote.
- Wednesday, the first round: offered if you include Wednesday evening in your pass.
- Thursday, the semi-final: included in your AFP pass.
- Friday, the final under the pagoda: included in your AFP pass.
- The public vote: For the final, you also get to vote.
FAQ
Your questions
Do I need a diploma to apply?
No, there are no prerequisites. You just need to be of legal age, coach in step or LIA, and send us your videos.
How many coaches will be selected?
18. Not one more.
When will I get the answer?
February 15, 2027.
How are the candidates chosen?
Submit your application: your form and your 3 videos. Candidates selected for the final phase will be contacted by Kathleen or Yoan to discuss their project and funding. The final decision rests with the Freestyle Academy management.
What is included in the €1,000?
The training, the competition on the AFP stage, 8 nights' accommodation, your meals during training, and your full AFP pass from Thursday to Sunday. Transportation is not included, and meals during the AFP are optional.
When and how do I pay?
After your application has been validated, only the €20 application fee is payable at the time of your application.
Can my training be funded?
Yes, thanks to our partner IPMS! More information coming very soon.
Do I need to be present all week?
Yes, attendance is mandatory from May 1st to 7th to validate your training.
What if I'm not selected?
You will receive the answer by email on February 15, 2027. The €20 application fee remains non-refundable, and you can try your luck again for the 2029 promotion. If you agree, we will even keep your application until then.
What if I have to cancel?
Once the withdrawal period has expired, there are no refunds. And if you cancel after your registration is finalized, you owe AFP €500 in compensation, because your place cannot be reassigned. The only exception is a medical reason, supported by a certificate. Everything is detailed in the [document/section/etc.]. general terms and conditions and the internal regulations.
Is this really being filmed?
Yes, all week long. One episode per day, online the next day on YouTube.
I'm not a coach, can I watch the competition?
Yes! The semi-final and final are included in the AFP pass, and the first round on Wednesday is free if you purchase Wednesday evening as part of your pass. And for the final, you participate in the public vote.
Will there be another promotion?
The Freestyle Academy takes place every 2 years. Next class in 2029.
Any other questions?
Write to us at hello@aquitainefitnessparty.fr or via DM on Instagram @aquitainefitness.
You can already see yourself under the pagoda ?
18 places, only one class every 2 years.
Applications accepted until January 31st.
