Since the two muscles are neurologically
linked, engagement of one should result in
engagement of the other.
Keep their attention!
Around the 15-minute mark the students’
attention span will be waning, so, from there
I go outside the box. If I have props, I will
set up stations and do a circuit of moves
with them, otherwise I will pick three to four
bi-lateral moves that we covered in the first
15 minutes and tell them I want them to see
how many times they can get through them
in five minutes. At other times I will set up
partner or relay games, in which one partner
might move across the room and back (crab
walking with a Theraband for example)
while the other partner performs another
movement, swapping when the travelling
partner returns. I may be committing
sacrilege, but my priority is engaging the
students so that they have a positive fitness
experience and look forward to returning.
When discipline is necessary
While the teacher has the legal duty of care
for the students, setting the boundaries and
engaging with the class in these ways results
in my very rarely having to discipline the kids
or call upon the teacher for assistance. The
exception is where bullying, harassment
or discrimination is taking place among the
students, in which instance I would get the
teacher involved as it must be sorted out
at the school. In the event of the teacher
brushing off the incident, I would have a very serious discussion with
my manager, complete an incident report and follow the guidelines set
out for the safety and protection of young people. To not do so could
be a breach of my duty of care in that context.
A positive experience for all
Employing strategies that result in better behaviour on the part of
the students is a win win win, as it makes for a far more positive
experience for everyone involved – the students, teachers and
instructor. If the students have positive experiences, they are more
likely to continue exercising. Who knows? Down the track they may
even join the facility and participate in our regular classes!
Mel Morony
Mel is a group fitness instructor based in Eastern
Melbourne. She is passionate about raising standards
in the area of group fitness, for both participants and
instructors.
LISTEN UP!
In her chat with The Fitness
Industry Podcast, fitness force and
wellness crusader Mindy Mylrea
talks about taking inspiration from
children’s movement patterns and
the joy of training kids.
Click here to listen to ‘The joy of
movement at every age’
NETWORK SPRING 2019 | 55