4 Tips for Preparing & Teaching Your First Fitness Class
If your gym offers fitness classes to your members, preparing to teach one can be nerve racking—especially if you are new to the experience. Before you needlessly stress yourself out, take a look at these few tips on how to prepare yourself to teach a fitness class for the first time.
Prepare Classes in Advance
In order to feel comfortable and confident in front of a class full of students, decide what exercises you are going to teach beforehand and practice going through each of them. Make sure you know how to do the exercises before you teach them. Since you will be an authority figure on the proper exercise techniques, knowing the moves beforehand will ensure that you don’t teach your students incorrectly. Teaching the right way to exercise will prevent students from accidentally hurting themselves if they try to do the moves at home. Finally, compile the perfect, upbeat playlist to get your students pumped for the class. Just remember to have a new playlist for each class, so returning students don’t get bored with your routine.
Give All Your Students One-on-One Attention
After a while, you will get comfortable at the front of the room leading your fitness class through each exercise. However, you must remember to actually teach your students; not just show them. Demonstrate the exercise once or twice and then walk through the room to make sure proper technique is being executed by all students.
Keep Up with New Fitness Trends
The fitness industry is always evolving. What is popular one year may lose its luster the next, so there is always something to learn. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and exercises by attending conferences, webinars and workshops and by talking with your students before and after class. Making the exercises fresh and new will keep your students coming back for more.
Motivate Your Students
Along with teaching the proper technique of each exercise, you must inspire and motivate your students. After attending one class, students could complete these exercises in their own homes if they so desired. However, providing the unique and motivating environment is what keeps them coming back for more.