learn some magical skill. It simply
involves regularly taking a step back,
observing your environment, seeing
the potential that resides in all and
watching opportunities to grow yourself
and others. In this game, timing and
strategy is key. These two qualities may
feel innate to you, yet others will need
a little more practice. If you can grasp
this approach and practice it regularly,
your impact will span far wider than the
studio, and you will leave an imprint on
the hearts and lives of many, way after
you retire from the role.
Instructor vs coach, what’s
the difference?
An instructor can be defined as a
person who teaches a subject or skill;
someone who provides instructions.
By this definition, a group fitness
‘instructor’ has very clear boundaries:
the start and end of the class. With
this mindset, the class is prepared
and delivered as though it is separate
to other daily events – an alternate
reality that completely disappears
when it is over.
This doesn’t feel quite right,
because this scenario would imply
that the benefit of the class ends when
the class ends. If we think about it,
this is ridiculous, as it’s impossible to
separate one person’s heart, mind and
body into separate compartments.
There is always a greater impact,
always a ripple effect, no matter how
big or small it might be. The class may
end but the physical, emotional and
mental impact continues and can gain
momentum. If you’ve ever had a bad
day at work and then gone home and
taken it out on someone unrelated,
you will be able to understand how
the most important impact occurs
afterwards. It is here that we can have
the most influence.
The class may end but the physical, emotional and
mental impact continues and can gain momentum.
You may be thinking that this is
obvious, and on some levels it is, but
the fact is that many group fitness
instructors prepare and deliver their
classes as if they have no impact
outside of the studio. The class
is prepared for the 60 minutes (or
however long) and that’s it, there is no
thinking or strategy beyond that time
bound period – particularly in a large
gym setting where there are many
instructors and classes with covers.
This does not mean that these classes
are bad, or that what the instructors
teach in them doesn’t have a positive
ripple effe