THE QUICK READ
• Instructor assessment ensures the
group fitness team is teaching
classes to a consistent standard and
meeting the requirements of
members
• Assessment should be undertaken
every six to twelve months, and in
instances where a problem has been
identified with a particular instructor
• Assessments should use forms that
address a number of areas, including
essential
requirements;
class
connection and care; class format
and structure; and teaching
technique and use of equipment
• A number of techniques can be used
to help deliver bad news in a sensitive
and productive way.
3. Self-assessment
Delivering the results of assessments to the instructor is a delicate
and sometimes difficult task. It takes practice. It is useful for the GFM
to video themself when providing feedback to the instructor. This
way they can judge the success of the feedback provided and the
way it is received by the instructor, and can adjust their approach if
things don’t work out as expected.
4. Look for feedback
In addition to assessing the skills of the instructor, it’s also important
to seek feedback about the instructor’s views of the gym and the
gym culture. The instructor can also be asked for proposals or ideas
they might have for the development of the timetable. In this way,
the GFM can have a more accurate impression of the mood and
general attitude of the team. After obtaining this feedback, the GFM
may be able to make improvement to the timetable and also the gym
culture.
5. Videos
The following steps in the assessment
process will assist in a quick and effective
assessment process: Often, people do not realise they are doing certain things incorrectly,
particularly in the case of technique issues once bad habits have
set in. The GFM should always be prepared to video sections of the
class which can then be used to explain what the instructor is doing
wrong and how they can correct it. This video should only be used
by you and the instructor, unless the instructor has given permission
for you to show others. The feedback from the assessment should
be provided face-to-face as soon as possible after the class, while it
is fresh in both GFM and instructor’s minds.
We are often our own harshest critics, so encouraging instructors
to undertake self-assessment of them teaching from time to time is a
quick way of identifying problems and fixing them without any input
from the GFM. The GFM should also always be available to offer
advice and provide feedback if the instructor requests it.
1. Be prepared 6. Delegation
been productive or became heated, the GFM
should consider following it up with an email.
By writing down the feedback and emailing
it to the employee, time is given to gather
thoughts. In addition, the instructor should
be asked to make face-to-face contact to
follow up on the issues identified.
The assessment process
In order to ensure the instructors know
exactly what they are being assessed on, and
what criteria will be used, the assessment
form should be sent to the instructors prior
to the assessment taking place. This will
send the message to the instructors that
they are all being assessed equally and will
all go through the same process.
2. Specificity and transparency
When preparing the assessment forms
and criteria, the GFM should be as clear
as possible about what they are expecting;
abstract and general criteria don’t help to
accurately assess each of the instructor’s
22 | NETWORK WINTER 2019
competencies. It’s also appropriate to be transparent about the
motives and objectives of the assessment; if the instructors are
uncertain about why the assessment is being done, they will feel
overwhelmed and nervous, and the class they teach will not be
indicative of how they usually perform.
If the GFM finds it difficult to see all of the instructors teaching, one
of the senior instructors could be used to undertake assessments. If
doing this, the GFM should ensure the assessor understands what
they are looking for and how the assessment should be done. The
GFM should be made aware of the outcome of the assessment
before any feedback is given.
Assessment is one of the most important parts of the GFM’s
role. These tips can help all GFMs get through this difficult task and
achieve great results from their team of instructors.
Kirsty Nield
Over the past 20 years Kirsty has established herself as one of Australia’s
leading group fitness instructors and educators. A GFM for the past decade
and a fitness presenter since 2012, she is passionate about mentoring and
educating fellow fitness profession