Group-Fitness Instructors: We work hard to prepare and deliver the best classes we can to our devoted participants, don’t we?! We value our participants’ dedication and work ethic, and they value our knowledge on safety and teaching strategies. It’s this trusted professional relationship that we find so rewarding!
Periodically, however, we should briefly reflect on where we fall in terms of our professionalism. Let’s spend a few minutes reviewing the following checklist. No one will know our answers, so no one will judge us. Let’s just reflect, make our adjustments (if necessary), and continue feeling proudly that we are making a difference as fitness leaders.
CERTIFICATION/EDUCATION:
- I have a current primary group certification from a nationally-recognized company (e.g. ACE, ACSM, NETA, etc.)
- I continue to take CECs every two years to uphold that certification.
- OR–I’m planning to take a primary group certification soon. I want more knowledge in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, class design, and teaching strategies.
COLLEAGUE COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENTS:
- I always speak to and about my instructor colleagues with respect, especially when among a participant/member. Life is too short for bitter or angry comments.
- OR—I should speak to and about my instructor colleagues with more respect, especially when among a participant/member.
- I encourage other instructors to try new ideas, take other instructors’ classes, and register for educational opportunities. Variety is good.
- OR– I should more frequently encourage other instructors to try new ideas, take other instructors’ classes, and register for educational opportunities.
- I am open to mentoring new instructors. Nobody feels good being thrown to the wolves.
- OR—I am not comfortable mentoring new instructors, but I will help them find a mentor to work with.
HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS:
- I always start and end class right on time to honor my participants’ time. After all, people are clock watchers.
- OR—I should start/end of my class on time, so I can honor my participants’ time.
- I always leave the fitness space in the same or better condition than I when I arrived (meaning, I didn’t leave it out of order or messy). Two words: The Gold Rule!
- OR— I should work on leaving the fitness space in the same or better condition than when I arrived (meaning, I didn’t leave it out of order or messy).
