10 TIPS FOR TEACHING
BETTER VIRTUAL CLASSES
Power Music's Lead Group Fitness Advisor Alee Baytan shares her
tips for teaching the best virtual class possible.
G yms are reopening and we can even host up to 20
participants in each class, but lockdown has opened our
eyes to the possibilities of delivering live virtual group
sessions. While we all dearly hope that we won’t face
another situation like the one we’ve all experienced in early 2020, the
fact is that the occasion may arise in future where classes are unable
to be delivered in-person at the facility where you instruct. If virtual
delivery ever forms part of your instructing schedule, you want to
ensure you’re making as good a job of it as you can.
Here are some tips to help you teach the very best virtual class
possible.
1. Keep a sharpie and paper, or a dry erase board, close by so
you can write cues on it should your mic stop working. This way,
you'll still have a visible and clear way to communicate with your
participants.
2. If you're using a platform that requires you to ‘mirror’ your
movement, wear a wristband on one hand to help remind you of your
right and left lead.
3. Write out the names of the people attending your class before
it starts, so you can give them a shout out during your live stream.
4. Make sure your device operating systems and the app(s) you
are using are updated to the latest version before you begin your
live stream. Also, consider removing unnecessary apps, photos and
music from your device to clear up space. This can help prevent your
app/device from crashing midstream.
5. Remember to bring the energy to your virtual class! Your energy
needs to be ten times bigger to come across on camera.
6. Be sharp and clean with your movements and always offer
modifications.
7. Use your arms to make big motions in order to indicate directions
with your cues, for example, ‘Go right’ while motioning to the right.
8. Cue early – at least 4 counts before the move – so that
participants process the information and consider lag time. You may
not be able to see your participants, so you want to cue them even
earlier than you normally would, for example: ‘1,2,3,4 – side lunge to
your right’
9. When cueing, cut down excess words. Keep it simple and
enunciate!
10. Most importantly, have fun! As with your face-to-face delivery,
make your class an experience that will make participants want to
come back.
FREE GUIDE TO
TEACHING VIRTUAL
CLASSES
Power Music has prepared a Beginners Guide to teaching LIVE Virtual
Classes. Learn how to set-up your space, the essential tools to have, the
basics of each virtual platform and more.
Click here to download your FREE copy.
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