Skills/Tools for Group Exercise Instructors
A Time of Renewal
Many of us in the industry have been feeling lost in the weeds after 2 years of constant turmoil. In this time of renewal, as you work to dig yourself out and sow new seeds of success, it’s important to use all the tools at your disposal so you can grow and flourish.
Thriving as an Introvert in an Extroverted Role
You likely started teaching because you wanted to help people on their wellness journeys, but being an introvert can pose challenges.
Mobility Workout
Adding a mobility workout to the cooldown may kickstart the parasympathetic nervous system. Try the following sequence.
Small Group Training Remains #1 Income Earner
The landscape of the fitness industry looks different these days. Fitness enthusiasts and newcomers alike are approaching the gym with a different perspective. Large gyms with big groups are not as appealing, nor is the price tag of a personal trainer. Small group training (SGT) via boutique studios, private trainers, or online platforms is the preferred activity of fitness participants, especially for personalized instruction. SGT also remains the number one profit center in clubs. If you are stuck in a rut of instructing one-on-one training or group classes (online or in-person), now is the time to enter the “Sweet Spot” of SGT, increase your offerings, and begin earning your worth.
Small Exercise Equipment for Big Impact
Whether you’re instructing virtually or in person, small exercise equipment still tops the list of effective do-anywhere, use-anytime tools.
Fitness Business Collaboration Beyond Brand
Could we all learn to embrace fitness business collaboration to improve the quality of knowledge and programming for everyone?
Merrithew Connect™: Online Pilates, Fitness and Mind-Body Workouts
Keeping programming fresh, effective and interesting for clients is a common struggle for fitness professionals. After a year of teaching virtually, you may be feeling like your program design has…
How to Name Your Group Fitness Class
A group fitness class title is a calling card; it attracts participants by previewing or hinting at the class experience.
Group Exercise May Help Older Adults Combat Loneliness
Group exercise not only boosts physical health but, for older adults, may also support mental well-being by reducing feelings of aloneness.
Cycling Class Connection
Read on to find out more from fellow indoor cycling instructors on how to build connection with participants in your cycling classes.
Stretches After Sitting All Day
Encourage your fitness class participants to use these simple stretches after sitting all day to help their muscles return to a relaxed state.
Prep the Shoulders Before Play
As fitness instructors, we can help prevent injuries in our participants by giving the shoulders plenty of attention during the warmup.
Tips on Teaching Virtual Fitness Classes
Discover how other group fitness instructors have forged the way to virtual fitness classes, and learn from their insights, tips and mistakes.
Safety Tips for Outdoor Group Exercise
The following tips from the San Francisco Department of Public Health will help fitness professionals take training outside to promote health and safety.
Ramping Up Your Virtual Zoom Studio
It was early March 2020 when Seattle, where I live, shut down very quickly due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We immediately knew we’d have to move into the virtual world within a matter of days.
For my first class, I didn’t know what microphone I should use, and I barely knew how to share music, but I flipped on the camera.
Savor the Experience!
Reflect on the last time you taught a group fitness class. Can you recall one positive experience that stood out? Try savoring.
Inspiring Greatness at IDEA® World Virtual 2020
For the first time in 38 years, the global fitness community that is the IDEA® World Convention was not able to meet in person. Despite that, the crackling energy and essential rite of gathering to share ideas and buoy each other breathed fresh air into the 8,000 attendees, sponsors and presenters who attended via the ether on August 21–22.
Group Fitness and the Stages of Behavior Change
Learn how to notice the stages and inspire participants from where they are within the transtheoretical model of behavior change (TTM).
In a Teaching Rut? Be a Participant!
What are the benefits of attending someone else’s class, and how do you make the most of your experience as a participant?
Adding a Class to Your Schedule
Whether you’re an instructor wanting to add a class to your schedule or a manager feeling pressured to find the right personality and the best fit for an opening, knowing how others handle this decision may guide you to that “perfect match.” Fortunately, experienced program directors from around the world are willing to share their strategies and suggestions.