As instructors retire and move on , the industry is at risk of losing years of knowledge and experience unless it is shared along the way .
Generally , I like to apply the 80 / 20 rule to my mentees , whereby 80 per cent of what the instructor needs to learn is done during the mentoring , and 20 per cent is learned on the job . Sometimes , no amount of feedback can be understood or accepted until one experiences its consequences , but if a mentee is at 80 per cent then they are good enough to teach a class without complaints , and still have room to develop their personal style and make adjustments based on the feedback they receive from the participants .
Getting a mentee to start teaching a whole class once they have hit that 80 per cent ( even if they don ’ t think they ’ re there yet ) may sound risky , but a good mentor will be able to weigh up the risk / benefit and make the first teaching experience a gentle and enjoyable one for both the instructor and the participants . As a respected and influential instructor yourself , it will be relatively easy to muster the support of participants and to encourage them to be unwavering cheerleaders for the fresh face looking at them from the stage .
I ’ ve had countless ‘ lightbulb moments ’ about myself and my own teaching when I ’ ve been both mentor and mentee . If you are interested in becoming a mentor , talk to your group fitness manager and see what opportunities may evolve , or if you have a talented regular who lights up the room every week with that passion you once felt and still feel , offer some words of encouragement : sometimes that ’ s all it will take to bring a new star into the group fitness family . Conversely , if you ’ re looking for a little guidance yourself , find that superstar trainer who makes you want it , and have the courage to ask them to help you . The worst that can happen is they ’ ll say no , and chances are , they won ’ t . The more sharing we can do in this industry , the greater both it , and we , will become .
Caroline Hynes is an experienced fitness professional currently employed as an instructor , teacher , tutor and group fitness coordinator within the industry . With a passion for group fitness and education , she is committed to doing all she can to see group fitness continue to thrive through the development and education of current and future fitness instructors .
28-30 APRIL 2017 / ICC SYDNEY
Caroline is presenting at FILEX 2017 – read about her session and 1-day Instructor Skills Pre-Convention workshop , and register for the best weekend of your year , at filex . com . au / presenters
1-DAY WORKSHOP
THURSDAY 27 APRIL / CRUNCH FITNESS , DRUITT ST , SYDNEY
SUPERHERO INSTRUCTOR : THE ULTIMATE GROUP FITNESS TOOLKIT
PRESENTED BY ALISSA HALL & CAROLINE HYNES
Become a hero of the group fitness revolution by harnessing your unique skills and unleashing your super powers to create the ultimate group fitness experience !
Have fun exploring your ‘ why ’ and learning how to use it to change the way you do things , and gain the skills and inspiration to become part of a movement of meaningful classes that will see you , your classes and your members grow , in fitness , happiness and wellbeing .
With a wealth of know-how , and their fingers on the pulse of where group fitness is headed , Alissa and Caroline will present an in-depth exploration of the current group fitness climate , and guide you towards a greater personal awareness that will empower you to take the experience you deliver into the stratosphere !
REGISTER AT FILEX . COM . AU / PRE-CONVENTION-WORKSHOPS
$ 299 for Network Members , or included in the FILEX Group Fitness Gold Pass !
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22 | NETWORK AUTUMN 2017