Mar 14, 2022 | Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues
To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. I have been in the industry for a long time, and I know how scary it is to start teaching group fitness classes! The fear comes from so many places and takes many forms. Some people are afraid they will be uncomfortable,...
Feb 17, 2022 | Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues
It's about the experience you create Teaching a group fitness class can be an incredibly empowering and gratifying experience. It can also be challenging, daunting and downright terrifying. There's always a little voice telling you that you don't know enough to teach...
Sep 7, 2020 | Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues, Mindset
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The big one with its backside in your face. The one that you can’t miss but trying to avoid looking at. GROUP EXERCISE INSTRUCTOR MENTAL HEALTH It is an interesting conundrum because, as an instructor, you are not physically...
Mar 3, 2020 | Blog Posts, Instructor Issues
Dear Marietta, Just wanted you to know that your attendance numbers have been lower than expected, and your class has been red flagged. What!?  Being red flagged The concept of being red flagged was introduced to the group fitness industry in the late 1990’s...
Sep 16, 2019 | Blog Posts, Instructor Issues, Technique
Specific adaptation to imposed demands At a Group Fitness Day a few years ago, I discussed the SAID (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands) principle. This is when the body becomes familiar and comfortable with performing a task in a specific manner, like a squat. We...
Aug 26, 2019 | Blog Posts, Instructor Issues, Mindset
Let’s talk about an elephant in the room. The big one with its backside in your face. The one that you can’t miss, but trying to avoid looking at. Group Exercise Instructor Mental Health. It is an interesting situation because as an instructor, you are not physically...
Jan 9, 2019 | Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues, Staff Training
I love finding out how people decided to work in the fitness industry, especially regarding group fitness The initial thought that is planted creates a desire that comes to fruition. That first ‘why not’ as Lisa Westlake so eloquently spoke about at the Women in...
Jul 23, 2018 | Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues, Mindset
The most challenging group fitness skill ever: can you remember a name? Did you often find yourself using the excuse, 'I can never remember people's names'? It's a common struggle, especially when dealing with a group of 10 to 50 individuals. However, relying on this...
Jun 26, 2018 | Blog Posts, Instructor Issues, Mindset, Staff Training
Recently I asked myself, "is freestyle coming back into style?" When I first started in the fitness industry I was an aerobics instructor. Yes, I learned how to teach an aerobics class, which required music, space and my mind, to create an exercise experience. There...
Apr 30, 2018 | Blog Posts, Instructor Issues, Mindset
Over the past week my mSwing business partner, Mark Davis has been signing off emails with POY. It also appeared in text messages and I had figured (Mark being a man with a very well-developed sense of humour), he had somehow formed a word that I didn’t have a clue...
Mar 27, 2018 | Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues, Mindset
Navigating the Grocery Aisles As I strolled through the supermarket several years ago, a familiar face from my fitness classes emerged down an aisle. In that split second, a silent interrogation began: Were my groceries "healthy" enough? Would I face judgment for my...
Dec 28, 2017 | Blog Posts, Instructor Issues, Mindset
Start the year in the right direction It always seems appropriate to write a January blog about intentions and new resolutions to start the year in the right direction, whatever ‘right’ means for you. Well, this is blog is a recommendation from last year’s resolution....
Nov 4, 2015 | Blog Posts, Fitness Professionals, Instructor Issues
The Power of Self-Discovery Learning about the sort of person you are and want to be can be a life-changing realization. It's a lesson that often needs to be taught and can take a long time to grasp. Several years ago, while delivering an aqua workshop in Kapiti...
Mar 14, 2022
To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. I...
Feb 17, 2022
It's about the experience you create Teaching a...
Sep 7, 2020
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The...
