Have you developed your own unique fitness format?
Anybody who has been in this business for a while, is inspired to develop her own unique style and/or format. I’ve developed numerous new formats and hybrids such as Rhythm Walking, Virtual Fitness Wii FAB and Tai Chi for Health and Wellness. Some are new and innovative, some are taught in a unique manner while other formats such as SalsAerobics may just have fun choreography that is really just latin moves taught in 32-count phrasing patterns. What about you?
I would hope that all fitness pros would eventually put their mark on their teaching style and programs. After years of instructing you should be able to breakdown any format or system into it’s component parts and be able to modify for your own needs and the needs of your clients. It is hard to be totally unique because there are so many formats and styles. And face it, there are only so many ways you can move and load the body. But if it is new to you and to your clients, than it will be fresh for both of you. Things to remember are: always consider the potential for stress to the invovled joint(s) and other tissues, always perfect an exercise and master it yourself before exposing clients to the exercise (figure out things like how to regress/progress the exercise etc. before finding out that you need to do so), teach each exercise in parts and combine them over time as the client masters each part, and keep your mind open to ways to improve or innovate the exercises.
And on a safety note out of your work with each client, be mindful of others observing what you are teaching. I work with a lot of very fit and capable clients. We make things look easier than they are and if some else would try some of the exercises from simple observation, they could really get hurt. I keep an eye out for onlookers and point out that the exercise is not appropriate for just anyone.
Designing my own group-ex formats and/or my own choreography is what keeps me interested in fitness.
Several of them have been successful in my area and I can visualize how I would brand them and go on the road leading workshops. If only I had a clone to take care of my less fun responsibilities so I could do this! 🙂