The 30-second article
• An instructor can be defined as a
person who teaches a subject or
skill; someone who provides
instruction
• A coach consciously opens people
up to their potential in not just
fitness, but all areas of their life
• By observing, listening and
connecting with participants, you
will naturally start to see, and
become a cheerleader for, their
aspirations
• Coaching must come from a place
of purity devoid of other motives, a
part of you that enjoys allowing
others to experience their journey
to greatness.
bright, it cannot light another.
OK, so you know your why, you’ve got
your passion and you want to maximise your
positive impact. Awesome! A great place
to start is by getting to know your regular
participants and getting really good at
reading people who are new or who are in
a class that you may be covering. The better
you get at this, the quicker you can change
your tactics to get the most out of the hour,
and the more you will start to see glimpses
of participants’ potential, get to know their
hopes and dreams and create a trusting
connection with them. How you would do
all these things is covered in these previous
articles: How to create a true group fitness
community and The Group X Factor.
Once you have these basics working like
clockwork you will naturally start to see,
and become a cheerleader for, people’s
aspirations, encouraging them towards what
they want because you have connected,
listened, and observed, and you are now
able to see where their potential could
lead them. The person that had the biggest
positive impact on my career, and life, is
one who saw my own passion and potential
and made me aware of it, before I even saw
it. Now that I am aware of my passion, it is
so large I can hardly believe I lived for so
58 | NETWORK SPRING 2017
You don’t need to know everything, but as
a coach you have the ability to open doors
that can change lives.
many years in darkness, and I’m incredibly grateful to this person
for listening, observing and then striking the match at the right time.
The awareness was the catalyst that ignited in me a drive to create a
happier and more fulfilled self, and I have no regrets.
In this article on mentoring I talk about its value for both the
mentor and mentee. It is in this role of coach where you may feel
inspired to step up as a mentor and help people who may want
some of what you have but need a little guidance to get there. Even
if mentoring is not something you’re keen to do, having a broad
network of professionals and mentors that you can refer to in all
disciplines (fitness and elsewhere) is of great support as you in turn
seek to support others to follow their dreams. As the leader of the
classes you deliver you are a role model, whether you like it or not,
and at some point, someone will put you on a pedestal and/or come
to you for expert advice. You don’t need to know everything, but as
a coach you have the ability to open doors that can change lives.
In empowering others you also empower yourself. Even by
reading this article and becoming more aware of the subtle
difference in mindset between instructing and coaching, you have
already changed. Nothing is really that complicated. Whatever your
approach though, it is important to be detached from the outcome
of what you may be helping people achieve. The cheerleading of a
coach must come from a place of purity, a part of you that enjoys
allowing others to experience all parts of their journey to greatness
without trying to rescue them from the lessons, and has no motive
other than that. Help get them on that path and then let them fly, and
don’t be afraid to see them exceed your own success.
We are infinitely powerful both in and out of that studio. Don’t just
make a difference in that hour, week, month or year: find a new respect
for that power, use it well and leave a legacy of people kicking goals
and inspiring others to do the same. Be a superhero.
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.