Group Fitness Articles

By L. Kae Graniel Beyond Cuing Why is it that while some participants love your class, others walk out in the first 15 minutes and never return? Is it your music? Your clothes? Your hygiene? Of course not. Odds are you simply didn't cue these people in the mode in which they learn most quickly and easily. While you can't please everyone, you can please most of the people most of the time when you...

Evaluation Strategies Understand the elements of a formal review before you ask for a raise. By Julie McNeney T hat dreaded time of year has come again. You have to justify exactly why your boss should open up her tightly wrapped wallet to increase your pay. Some employees see this as an anxiety-filled experience, while others view it as an opportunity to showcase their talent and worth. How do...

Battling Burnout Q: A: Burnout: Old topic for many instructors, but new to me! What can I do to overcome the burned-out feeling I've had lately when teaching? I can't afford to take a break from instructing fitness classes. Plus, my club is facing a real instructor shortage right now. So, what else can I do to get out of my blah rut and be excited again about my classes? Lisa Wheeler New York, ...

Help! I'm More Than Just a Sub Q: A: It seems I'm always a bridesmaid, never the bride. I am good enough to sub classes when one of my colleagues needs someone, but my supervisor still doesn't give me my own class. I'm available, trained and ready; however, openings never come my way. Meanwhile, subbing requests come in regularly, so I must be doing something right. What can I do to "move to the...

When Your Class Is Rude to a Sub Q: A: Theresa Stelly Goleta, California My class members are consistently rude and unwelcoming when other teachers sub for me, making it hard to get subs. No one wants to enter the "piranha pit," as the other instructors put it. They imply that the participants' bad attitudes are somehow my fault. I don't get it, since my regulars are great when I am there. What ...

Instructor By Catherine L. Tully Distinguish yourself as a professional. Crafting the Exercise Class Proposal You've reached a point in your career where you are comfortable with your knowledge, skills and ability to motivate. Everyone describes you as adaptable, outgoing and consistent. You've been around long enough to have your own style and, thanks to ideas you came up with while attending f...

Updating Your Cuing Repertoire Q: A: I feel stuck in a cuing rut. Although I really try to vary my teaching cues, they still sound boring and repetitive, especially the cues related to alignment and form. Fortunately, none of my participants have complained--so far! Then again, maybe they are not listening. It's so hard to tell. Any ideas and strategies to develop interesting, helpful new cues? ...

Make Progress With Breakdowns & Progressions By Amanda E. Vogel, MA A ll of us attending 2002 World Fitness IDEA...

Celebrating Indoor Cycling: Rides, Races, Drills & Skills By Krista Popowych, BHK I ndoor cycling is not only hotter than ever; it has become a group exercise staple. If you are looking for new cycling games, drills and tips to use in your classes immediately, look no further. We have gone to some of the top presenters from the 2002 World Fitness IDEA...

Millions of people around the world participate in prechoreographed group fitness programs. The popularity of these classes can’t be ignored, and the instructors must be doing something right. A debate is currently waging as to which instructors are better—those leading the prechoreographed programs or the die-hard “freestylers.” While prechoreographed content may garner differences of opinion,...