Sample Classes
Sample Class: Bounce!
Shape and define your inner athlete in this nonstop, calorie-blasting medicine ball workout designed specifically to bring fun back to fitness. Bounce the ball, throw it, roll it, toss it, and reap the benefits of cardio and strength conditioning rolled into one powerfully playful workout.
Bounce! Details
TOTAL TIME: 45–60 minutes
FORMAT: strength and cardio conditioning
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: one 4- to 8-pound medicine ball that bounces (per person)
Sample Class: S.O.S. (Seniors on Strength)
Are you looking for a class that helps older-adult participants with balance, coordination, agility, flexibility and strength training? Seniors on Strength (S.O.S.) is a dynamic combination of strength development and cardiovascular conditioning for the active older adult. Mixing in some simple choreography blocks, sequenced for easy recall, will round out your class.
The Four Elements of Perfect Class Design
If you’re new to group fitness or just stuck in a rut, try this fail-proof formula for creating a class that makes the grade every time! By understanding and applying the basics of kinesiology, anatomy, physiology and party planning, you’ll be in the perfect position to design an experience that pleases even the pickiest patrons.
Sample Class: Dance Boogie Blend
Today, the realm of dance exercise is broader than ever. But how do you keep class fresh without spending hours on choreography (or becoming a professional choreographer)? Using two simple methods for creating choreography—both of…
Sample Class: Mat Pilates: Interchangeable Props
Most clubs have small pieces of equipment, or props, but not all have exactly the same props. This can be a good thing, as necessity gives you an opportunity to interchange props and jazz up your Pilates mat class—especially if you work at different facilities. This sample class outlines ways to use what you have and be creative.
Mat Pilates: Interchangeable Props Details
format: Pilates mat class using small pieces of equipment
Total Time: 35 minutes
Sample Class: Dance-Inspired Moves
Dance-inspired classes offer an exhilarating approach to movement, giving participants a chance to work their bodies in out-of-the-ordinary ways. This fun option also provides members a diversion—a place to feed their souls for an hour. Whether you teach hip-hop, Latin, jazz or your own style, the following sample class will help you ensure participants’ success.
Sample Class: Intervals Stepped Up
Take a break from choreography and give your students this athletic challenge on the step. The interval format is easy to teach and can be adapted for all fitness levels. Interval training is a valuable tool for re-energizing students and increasing their fitness levels, and it fits in nicely with other popular “metabolic training” programs. Also, because of its intensity, this class combines well with other formats such as weight training, yoga or mat Pilates.
Creative Ideas That Inspire
Boogie Box Fitness rolls cardiovascular training, core balance and strength training into one program by utilizing the principle of “applied muscle resistance.” The 50-minute interval class is a “high-intensity fusion of hip-hop and Latin dancing, mixed with kickboxing, plyometric exercises and military drills.”
Preparing for a Knockout Class
Do you fondly recall when hand wraps, focus mitts and challenging combinations ruled the fitness scene? Boxing and kickboxing classes never really went away, and they are still popular in many fitness facilities across the country. Whether you’re already teaching this style of class or hope to in the near future, you’ll want to have a solid warm-up planned for students.
Sample Class: Done in 30 minutes
Some people have limited time in their busy days to exercise. Others think that working out for 60 minutes is tiresome. In either scenario, finding the time or energy to take an entire fitness class can be a challenge. Providing efficient workouts that take less time can encourage these folks to get to the gym. Another big benefit: shorter workouts can also yield many of the same psychological and physiological benefits as longer ones.
Creative Total Body Exercise
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The Empowerment Series: Courage
The benefits of yoga go beyond more flexible hamstrings, a stronger core or less back pain. Yoga has the power to make your more resilient to stress. It reminds you of your inner strength. It can give you back a sense of joy and purpose.
Cut to the Core
Training the core requires an exercise regime that goes beyond a simple “abs and back” workout. A strong base of support at the core of the body allows for better transfer of forces to the extremities. The human kinetic chain is able to transfer load optimally because of the relationships of two functionally integrated musculoskeletal groups known as the inner unit and outer unit. The inner core muscles assist in stabilizing the spine and pelvis, whereas the outer core muscles are the movers of the spine.
Sample Class: Zoomer Boot Camp
Active Baby Boomers, or “Zoomers,” are a largely untapped market for boot camp–
style classes. Zoomers were at the heart of the running and aerobics crazes of the 1980s and still want to maintain a high level of fitness. At the same time they may be cognizant of previous injuries and current limitations.
The Empowerment Series: Lesson Three: Joyful Gratitude
The benefits of yoga go beyond more flexible hamstrings, a stronger core, or less back pain. Yoga has the power to make you more resilient to stress. It reminds you of your inner strength. It can give you back a sense of joy and purpose.
Sample Class: Row and Ride
Rowing and riding classes are dynamic workouts with real-life applications to both sports, rowing and cycling. The
introduction of power meters to indoor cycles and various preset programs on rowers have taken these classes to a whole new level. An understanding of the fundamentals of each sport, mixed with a little creativity, is all that is needed for an effective, fun fusion class.
Row and Ride Details
format: circuit
Total Time: 60 minutes
Equipment needed: indoor cycles and rowers
The Empowerment Series: Lesson Two, Energy
The benefits of yoga go beyond more flexible hamstrings, a stronger core, or less back pain.
Core Training Duo
How do you transition students quickly from the main part of class to the core-conditioning exercises? With larger classes and limited space and equipment, you may want to add creative partner-based moves.
Both single and partner-based core-training exercises should target specific muscle groups. The core consists of many different muscles that stabilize the spine, pelvis and shoulder and provides a solid foundation for total-body movement. A strong core distributes weight-bearing loads and helps protect the low back.
Sample Class: Wall Yoga
Most yoga instructors know how to use straps and blocks to guide students through challenging poses or to teach alignment. Some instructors, however, may not have access to props or, if they do, there may not be enough to go around. There is one piece of “equipment,” however, that often gets underused, and that’s the wall.
Wall Yoga Details
Format: yoga
Total Time: approximately 60 minutes
Equipment needed: mats
MUSIC: not applicable
Sample Class: Pool Circuits for Seniors
Love to teach water fitness programs? Circuits are fun, they provide variety, and you can make them sport-specific to the older golfer, tennis player or runner. The following class gives you a glimpse into the many pool variations you can offer your senior fitness participants.
Class Details