Group Fitness Tip: Coaching Controversy
Here is my argument – coaching works better than instructing in group fitness classes.
For years we have focused on science, education, safety, technique and form.
What I’m seeing across a wide range of classes is that members prefer a rough and ready sports style of coaching to technically proficient instruction.
If you have coaches packing the room and top of the line instructors not filling the room, what does this tell you?
Have we become too technical, too detailed? Do we need to get back to basics and just coach our members to success in the way we would on a sporting field? Do the members want science and education? Perhaps they just want a good hard workout and some gungho coaching to push them past the point they would go by themselves.
Here is my advice – get off the stage, get off your bike, get in their face and coach them to success.
Leisl is the Group Exercise Manager at Virgin Active Norwest. 2017 winner of the prestigious Virgin Star Award which sent her to London to meet with Richard Branson. Leisl writes regularly for industry publications and is a Group Exercise Management Consultant for clubs needing analysis and advise on maximising their GEX potential.