CEC
ARTICLE
1 OF 5
ARTICLES
GX SKILLS
BACK TO SCHOOL
HOW TO THRIVE IN YOUR
CLASSES FOR TEENS
Strategies that result in better student behaviour will facilitate
a far more positive experience for everyone involved, writes
instructor Mel Morony.
he instructor looks around the
room in exasperation. One of
their participants is moving with
no attention to technique, another
is playing with their phone and, if it is a cycle
class, yet another has adjusted their
handlebars to a comical height. Oh, did I
mention that the participants are teenagers
who have come with a school group?
The instructor feels caught between
a rock and a hard place. They know the
statistics concerning obesity in Australia –
especially among young people. They also
know that one of the reasons why they are
on that stage, bike or gym floor is to try and
reverse the trajectory of those statistics.
They want to provide a positive experience
for the participants so that they will want
to continue with exercise. But getting the
students on board with this scheme is
proving to be a challenge...
In a previous article, I wrote about the tips
and techniques to help deliver fun and effective
aqua classes for kids. In this article, we’ll focus
on the high school-age school groups that
come through our clubs and facilities, usually
to participate in land-based fitness programs.
T
Many industry colleagues struggle with
teaching school groups. A couple of years
ago at FILEX, I attended a workshop on this
subject by the wonderful Mindy Mylrea. I
proceeded to implement her principles in
my classes with teens, while also adding a
few of my own techniques, and have found
it to make a big difference. We’ll use cycle
and Pilates for some of the examples, but a
number of the principles are also applicable
to a wide range of other programs.
Class management starts outside
the studio
Setting boundaries with the students needs
to start outside of the studio.
Setting expectations
When I take a school group I stand in the foyer
outside of where the class is going to take
place and wait for everyone to arrive, including
those who are still taking their time in the
changerooms. I have had teachers suggest that
I just start without them, but the time outside
the room is the crux of setting boundaries and
expectations, so I hold my ground.
THE QUICK READ
• Many instructors find it difficult to
engage groups of high school-age
students in their group exercise classes
• Setting expectations prior to class, as
well as speaking respectfully and
giving clear instructions can help to
establish the tone you require for a
successful class
• Using screens and other tools can help
to engage participants
• You may need to adjust the language
you use to make it more audience-
appropriate and avoid giggling fits that
anatomical references can provoke
• Strategically-timed amendments to
regular class formats can help to
maintain the interest when attention
spans start to fade.
• With these strategies in place, you should
expect better student behaviour and little
need to resort to using discipline.
NETWORK SPRING 2019 | 53