Team GXunited is filled with some pretty amazing fit pros. Guys and gals who have dedicated their lives to mastering the art of exercise science, programming, and group fitness instruction. But you know what, they all started out as just ‘normal’ everyday people who wanted to inspire others through the power of movement. Each one had their own journey and path (read Jessica, Jeff, and Summer’s stories), and along the way, each had mentors that helped them become the amazing fit pro’s we all know and love.
Here they share some of the best tips they received from those mentors that crafted the instructor you see today. We hope you can be inspired by their words, just as they were by someone else.
What is the best advice you’ve received during your fitness journey? Share in the comments below or join our Facebook Group to get in on the discussion.
Our contributing author team shares their memories.
- “Always remember what it feels like to be a beginner and don’t call people out for trying…” (Read More)
- “When creating cycle playlists, include music from 4 different styles and have an equal balance of male to female artist. Not everyone likes the same music as you, so variety is key.” (Read More)
- “When you teach sick or injured you are not providing the best experience possible for participants. Instead of trying to push through it, allow a sub to cover class. This always puts members first and allows them to get what they came to experience.” (Read More)
- “Never forget that your class participants, clients, workshop attendees, etc. could be anywhere; they choose to be with you. Act accordingly.” (Read More)
- “Under promise and over-deliver.”
- “Make sure that each of your participants feels better about themselves when they leave than when they arrived. CONNECT with each one.” (Read More)
- “Make everyone in the room feel like they are important to you and that their success is important to you.”
- “Teach to a class that includes a blind person, a deaf person, a news reporter, an elite athlete, and someone brand new to exercise.” (Read More)
- “Do not teach….create an experience.” (Read More)
- “You can’t fix crazy!” (Read More)
- “Take some time to write out your fitness mission. We can do many things, but we are limited by time and our interests, so ultimately we can’t do it all. What are you most passionate about, best at, interested in? Who are your favorite type of members; those that you love working with? When offered projects in the future, make decisions based on whether they enhance or detract from your mission.” (Read More)
- “You set the standard for safety in your class. Let the movements you give them in class be support of long-term activity. Which means…
- just because someone else is teaching a risky movement in the name of innovation does not mean you need to do the same;
- ‘no ones ever gotten injured in my class’ is not a high enough bar for whether a move, class, or instructor is safe.” (Read More)
- “Look beyond the hour they’re with us and consider whether you’re contributing to an individual’s strength or causing quicker wear and tear.”
- “Dump your duds.”
- “Learn how to say no.” (Read More)
- “Stop giving away so much content for free.”
- “Take all steps of preparation you’ve been taught, including not exhausting yourself with practice, and then step in to teaching. Just do it…and be willing to suck at it! Allowing yourself permission to be bad frees us from the drive toward perfection that often gets in the way of EVER just TEACHING that FIRST class! And when that moment comes that a song begins, and plays and plays, and your mind is plank and you can’t remember anything – you know you’ve had our first moment to “suck” and it can only get better from there!”
And some tips from our Choreo Freaks team…
Lynn Blakeley
- “Remember the class is about your students, not about how fit or awesome an instructor you are. Every class should have a purpose and a planned outcome for a well-rounded workout for your participants.”
- “Be yourself” (Read More)
- “Embrace feedback – grow, change and learn from it!”
Angie Foster Balgemann
- “Always show levels of intensities and cater to everyone as we are all at different capabilities.” (Read More)
- “Not everyone will resonate with your teaching style or the way you run a class and leave. It’s not personal.”
Christy Ann Sanchez
- “Be YOU when you teach. Don’t try and be another instructor or someone else.”
Lisa Hykes
- “Always teach to the back row participants. This isn’t your workout, so make eye contact with each person, always show variations on movement, and thank them for coming.” (Read More)
Izabela Ruprik
- “Always have a goal for your class and make sure people know it. Even if it’s a party on the bike to 80s music, you need to know the direction to reach the destination.”
*All of the above fit pros would like to think their amazing guru’s, mentors, and inspirations during their journey*
