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What do you look for in a group fitness instructor and class?

7/23/2013

8 Comments

 
On my never-ending search for trying new things in the fitness world, I recently took a rowing class at Row Zone Rittenhouse on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.  The class was great and definitely had me dripping in sweat at the end of the 45 minutes, but when I looked over at the instructor at the end of class, I realize she wasn't sweating at all!  Except for demonstrating a few exercises, she didn't do any of the workout, which got me thinking - is this what group fitness participants prefer?
Row Zone
Les Mills Bodypump
Step Aerobics
I've taken quite a few trainings for different group fitness classes, and they each recommend a different approach.  Specifically, when taking the Les Mills Bodypump Instructor Training, it is recommended (as an instructor) to do the entire workout with the class, maybe stopping a handful of times during specific exercises where everyone is laying on the bench, and it's difficult to see the class. However, when taking the Beachbody Insanity Instructor Training, it is repeated over and over that 'this is not your workout' as the instructor, and you should be walking around the room, helping everyone with their form and motivating everyone.  I also know that while teaching heavily choreographed classes such as Step Aerobics, Hip Hop Hustle and TurboKick, if I were to stop doing the workout, the class would stop too, which is okay, because I don't think it should be expected that the participants memorize the choreography.
Furthermore, if the instructor IS doing the workout alongside the class, as a participant, would you rather see instructors pushing themselves to the max and struggling, and maybe not saying as much during the exercise?  Or would you rather that instructors workout at a comfortable level so that they can give cues and focus more on helping you out as a participant?  I think there are benefits to both approaches, and as an instructor, I try to fall somewhere in the middle.  I know participants that like to see instructors work just as hard as they are - it serves as motivation and encouragement to continue to work hard.  But I also know of participants that would rather the instructor focused on helping them as participants, correcting their form and giving them more personal attention.  The extreme example of this is the instructor at Row Zone, where she wasn't doing the workout at all.

As a professional 'academic', I am fully aware that everyone learns differently, and there may not be an ideal way to teach group fitness class - everyone is going to have their own style of teaching and learning.  In an ideal world, there would be a few instructors at every group fitness class - one to lead the workout, one to show some modifications or options and one to walk around the room, helping people with their form.  However, this many instructors would only make group fitness classes more expensive and less accessible to the average gym-goer.

So, I'm asking YOU - what type of group fitness instructor do you prefer?
8 Comments
Kerry
7/23/2013 02:24:07 am

I definitely like when the instructor is doing the same workout as I am. And I like when they push themselves because I feel like it gives me a good idea of not just the moves or routine I should be doing, but also of the perceived exertion I should be aiming for. I also like when the class is easy to get into- in other words, there is not a fight for space nor a line that forms an hour ahead of time. And even if there is an amazing instructor, I would still choose a conveniently scheduled time over a great instructor.

Reply
Jackie
7/24/2013 11:34:27 am

I really like this post. It got me thinking about my own class. Being a new instructor I stick to the plan Les Mills provides me. It scripts break times to coach and check form. I use those but also try to work hard along side my participants. I always appreciated when my teachers would push themselves. If I can't see them do it..its hard to envision myself making it through the class. I also think its helpful to shadow form if you're a visual learner. Great post!

Reply
Rae link
8/4/2013 10:52:34 pm

Great post! I totally agree with you with the idea that you kinda have to do both. When I was in my early 20's teaching, I would teach several times p/ day and week at the same intensity level. In my 30's I realize that overtraining is REAL and can sideline you. What good will you be to your participants if you're laying in bed? As a participant, I prefer to hear and see the exercise and then I can take it from there. As an instructor and educator, I like to preview and perform the exercise a few times before I take my stroll around the room to observe.

https://www.facebook.com/TotalLifestyleFitness
@TotalLifeFit

Reply
FitYaf
8/5/2013 01:22:23 am

Hey Rae! Thanks for your input! Teaching many classes/day is a great reason not to do every class at your highest energy level. You are correct - overtraining is REAL. Sounds like you have a great system. What classes do you teach?

Reply
Will
8/11/2013 09:51:07 pm

Great topic. I've been training the new Insanity classes for 3 months now and feels great when you are going hard with the rest of your class but, it does break you down as an instructor after some time. so, I've managed to use my Voice to Keep Motivating as I walk the room and continue into the next movement. Insanity has them perform the exercise 3 times in every block so I'm able to stop and cue them to keep going and keep pushing as I go around. Thanks guys for posting up here. O yeah... The people are still coming back for more!

Reply
FitYaf
8/11/2013 10:13:04 pm

Thanks Will for your feedback! I think the Insanity format lends well to walking around the room and keeping people motivated. You do the same move for 30 seconds and it comes up again 2 more times in the class, so you have a chance to demonstrate the move, but also walk around and motivated/correct participants.

Reply
Beloved Grace link
12/5/2013 05:58:13 am

Jillian Fit Yaf brings up some interesting insights in this article? For me to go to a group fitness class, I have to know that I can easily follow the cues from the instructor, like the music, modify without being harassed to work harder, and that the class is for beginners and therefore is NOT designed to kill me. So whether the instructor does this by moving with the class (she's an amazing cue artist) or walks around verbally cuing is irrelevant to me. Your thoughts?

Reply
FitYaf link
12/5/2013 11:55:03 pm

Thanks Grace! I agree - cuing is very important. Some things are very easy to cue, while others need demonstration.

Reply



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    Jillian [FitYaf]

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