This week’s “Inside the Club” was written by our Assistant Editor, Rachel Zabonick.
Recently, I took a group fitness class, and was immediately impressed by the quality of the instructor — in a good way. She was present, motivating and helpful. At the beginning of the class, she asked if there were any newcomers, and one or two people raised their hands. The rest of the class, the instructor made sure that the newcomers could keep up, and were having fun. She also exercised with us, and walked around to stand beside members in order to check their form.
A few years ago, I had an entirely different experience during a group fitness class. During that class, I was the newcomer, and was nervous as a result. The instructor didn’t ask if there were any newcomers, and conducted the class from a raised podium at the front. He had little interaction with the class, and instead of walking around, barked orders at us from the front. I floundered, and as a result, never returned.
How your instructors interact with your members is important. A good instructor can create a cult following, why a poor instructor can lead to poor attendance and retention.
However, how do you know how your instructors teach their classes? Do you occasionally sit in on a class, or take the class yourself? Sometimes, viewing your instructors’ methods from a members’ perspective — on the Group X floor — can help you more easily address issues you may not have known about.
Take your instructors’ classes and ask the following questions: What is their presence like? Do they exude confidence and expertise? Does the instructor interact with members, or bark orders? Do they make adjustments to members with poor form? Etc.
In this case, first-hand experience is better than second hand — it’s discouraging to hear complaints from members about how an instructor runs a class, when you could have nipped the problem in the bud, by taking the class yourself.
Hopefully you’ll be pleased with how your instructors teach their group fitness classes. Worst-case scenario — you find no issues, and get a good work out in anyways.
Rachel Zabonick is the assistant editor for Club Solutions Magazine. She can be contacted at rachel@clubsolutionsmagazine.com. Reach out to her about exciting events or programs at your club, or to share the amazing accomplishments of a member.
