STOP TREADING WATER
Too many aqua instructors just aren ’ t delivering the standard of classes participants expect , argues Rosemary Dugan . So what can we do to reignite the passion ?
If your aqua classes are a yawn for participants then you need to reignite your own passion
I love leading group fitness classes , and aqua in particular is very dear to my heart . Many aqua fitness instructors have taught countless classes over the years , week in and week out , so it ’ s perhaps not surprising that , at times , a motivational boost is required in order to maintain enthusiasm .
Moving on from 14 years in a full time fitness lecturing role to start my own wellness business has enabled me to get back into teaching some aqua fitness classes . In the time I ’ ve been out of the game , however , a lot seems to have changed in the way of standards , from class delivery to program preparation – and not in a good way .
The role of any group fitness instructor whether it be land or aquatics is to :
• provide a safe and fun environment for participants
• promote knowledge of proper group fitness components , i . e . warm up , aerobic exercise , flexibility and cool down
• be knowledgeable in techniques and dynamics of group fitness
• be knowledgeable in a variety of group fitness class types
• provide good customer service to patrons
• maintain the group fitness equipment and room
• continually upskill through participating in the fitness industry ’ s Continuing Education Credits ( CEC ’ s ) program .
Don ’ t get me wrong – I ’ ve witnessed some superb instructors who are delivering , and over-delivering – on these points , but when , at other venues , I hear clients complain about boredom , repetitiveness , lack of technique-coaching , little or no demonstration of moves , instructor lateness , no or very little time using equipment , and getting the sense that the instructor is making it up as they go along due to lack of flow in phases and exercises , this is a cause for concern .
Many aqua fitness instructors are subjecting participants to low standards of delivery which does little to help with their fitness goals . Some show no respect for class time slots , arriving late but still finishing within the hour , and thereby short-changing participants . Others fail to invest time or thought into preparing their classes , which as well as being unprofessional also demonstrates an indifference
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