How to manage a successful class for you and your participants – Part II

To read Part I of this blog on how manage a successful class – click here:

We as group fitness instructors have an amazing job! We get to inspire, coach, teach, motivate, listen, and help people achieve their goals.  We are movers, creators and instructors who love to share our knowledge to help others.  That’s quite special!

Fitness has developed into a class driven market.  It’s motivating, more economical and time efficient for the student and the instructor.   I feel it’s important to share experiences and learn from each other on ways we can always make it better.  Here are a few teaching tips that may help you prosper.

Be open to knowledge: Knowledge is everywhere if you are open to receiving it.  We learn from our students, our peers, and our own experiences.

Never stop learning: Learning is part of life.  It’s what teaches us to find and share our passion.  Seek knowledge so you can share your interests to help others.

Know your abilities: If you stick to what you know best, you will feel more secure in your abilities to perform at your best and have a stronger confidence that shows.

Teach your passion: Simply put, teach what you are passionate about!  There are so many group fitness instructors that teach classes that they really do not like teaching or it’s just not their favorite class style.  For example, I used to teach spinning years ago.  I would teach 5 classes a day, sometimes along with other classes and train clients.  That’s just too much – period.  I would sub classes or teach back-to-back because it made sense at the time, but looking back, not so much.  I taught so many spin classes I literally got ‘spun out’.  Today, I love subbing a class, but I do not want to ever teach it on a regular bases.  Therefore, share what moves you and you enjoy teaching.  It will be a much more pleasant experience for all involved.

Make no judgments: “When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself”- Wayne Dyer.   Judging others can foster feelings of negativity or create an incorrect perception towards someone else.  If we compare ourselves to others, we lose site of what’s truly important in our own lives.  Therefore, take time to reflect on what brings peace within your soul and be grateful for what you possess, so you can help others.

Appreciate your skills: Honor and appreciate the skills you possess and it will show in what you teach.  Your student’s will show their admiration for you by their efforts and energy.

Make the most of your capabilities:  Teach your students something special each class.  Educate them while they experience mastering their own skills.

You Are Amazing

It’s a never-ending journey to provide the best exercises, creativity of classes, motivation, music and energy from within you, to make the best experience for all to want more of you!

Incorporating your unique ‘fitness flair’ is created by the special playlists you use, your workout style and the knowledge you share.  The total instructing package occurs as you mold into an experienced instructor.   There are always aspects to improve and situations to learn from to make us better than we were yesterday.

Do what you do best – be yourself and teach your heart out!

Maria Sollon Scally MS, CSCS holds a Masters Degree in Performance Enhancement/ Injury Prevention and Kinesiology. She has obtained numerous certifications in various areas of fitness and is a national conference presenter. Maria specializes in Pilates, Performance Coaching, and Corrective Exercise Techniques and Kettlebells. She is the creator of the Plyo Pilates Method and has developed a series of amazing workout DVDs. She is a Master Trainer for Total Gym, Resist-a-Ball, Body Blade, Peak Pilates, Kettle Bell Concepts and is a free lance writer for Fitness accredited magazines, news letters, and fitness blog sites. Maria demonstrates her knowledge each day and uses her dynamic creativity throughout her specialized line of work.

http://www.groovysweat.com

http://www.groovysweatstore.com (purchasable workout videos)

http://www.youtube.com/groovysweat (workout clips)