If I had a dime for every instructor in this industry who has told me that they have been working for a club for over five years and they have never been evaluated nor ever received a raise, I’d be a millionaire. Somehow the professional common practice of evaluation and assessment of our instructors, not to mention many of our club employees, just doesn’t exist.
Your member experience really depends on ensuring that your instructors are delivering a great class experience that is safe, fun and up to industry standards and current. I highly recommend that the group fitness director evaluates all instructors annually and that instructors have an opportunity to be eligible for a raise — even if it is just a 3 percent increase of their current rate. Believe me, it will go a long way and allow for your group fitness department to ensure quality instruction.
Instructor review must be part of the group fitness director’s job responsibility. Here are few things to remember before you begin assessments:
• Communication when assessing an instructor is a true art. Focusing on the positive attributes of an instructor will always be your guidelines to successful coaching practices.
• Being observed or judged is unnerving. It sets one up to perform at their worst possible level of ability due to their being intimidated and their insecurity kicks in. All of the sudden something that they do so well feels uncomfortable.
• As a leader you must be prepared for this to happen when assessing. Sitting down in the back of a class, taking notes, whispering to a colleague during their assessment period could all possibly be the worst practices and detrimental in building your team.
Here are some assessment guidelines to make the process the most enjoyable for both parties:
• Set the state. Let your employee know that you are not judging but rather learning. That he/she would not be on your team unless you thought that they were excellent to begin with. Explain that you are assessing with an open mind and looking so forward to taking away valuable practices yourself.
• Let the employee know the things that you are looking for. For example, “I don’t mind if you make a mistake, we all do. What I am looking for is how your class reacts to your teaching practice; are you engaging? Do you make everyone feel comfortable? Do you articulate or show the movement sequences where your form is good and are you easy to understand and follow?” Whatever it is that you are looking for, be sure you let them know. No one likes surprises. Give them the opportunity to prepare for success.
• Have fun with it and show them that you are having fun by smiling at them, giving them a “thumbs up,” engaging with the other participants.
• You should participate yourself!
• Invite the employee for coffee or a lunch/snack afterwards and offer informal but helpful feedback.
• Tell them about the parts you loved and the things you learned. Be positive. This is group fitness and it is supposed to be fun.
• Avoid using negative language, i.e., Don’t, Not, Bad, Wrong. For example, avoid saying “Don’t ever hold your pinky out when you throw a punch” instead try “Perhaps when executing your punches it will be more powerful and more effective it you keep your pinky in tight”
• Think about creative and fun ways to offer feedback.
• Ask your employee “do you mind if I offer a little feedback that may help”?
• Have a formal assessment form that you give to them. Have fun stickers to put on it. Make them laugh and enjoy the process. Allow them to do a lot of the talking and listen to their thoughts. This is when your listening skills will be most valuable. They will be able to tell you where they need to improve. Give them the opportunity to assess themselves first before you begin to offer feedback.
ASK YOURSELF – Did your employee leave the assessment saying “Wow I love working for him/her? That was the most productive time I have ever spent with an employer!”
If you would like a copy of an assessment form please e-mail me at lori@groupfitnesssolutions.com
Lori Lowell is the President of Group Fitness Solutions, LLC, and owns 8 Fitness Facilities in Virginia and Wisconsin. Contact her at lori@groupfitnesssolutions.com.
