Motivation is a tough sell in today’s hectic world. There always seems to be a distraction that gets between us and our goals. We’re exhausted from a long day’s work. We have to catch up on housework. The reasons might be valid but they can ruin the desire to improve our health.
Sometimes, the effort is not worth the reward, especially if you don’t see immediate results. When it comes to exercise, you have to believe that the benefits of diligently working out will reveal themselves. When it comes to teaching group exercise classes, you have to do more than motivate your clients. You have to ignite their passion for keeping fit.
How?
Read this short guide to learn how to motivate your group fitness class today!
Practice what you preach
You have to believe in what you do before you can motivate others. If your class picks up on your lackluster approach, then they could lose any hope that exercise really works. While you don’t always have to display massive amounts of enthusiasm (which you should do anyway), you should be honest and teach from your heart. If you think a part of your routine works, then feature it. If you think it’s a waste of time, then toss it.
Stay positive
A core tenet of motivation is having a positive mindset. Your job is to teach and encourage your classes to continue using your services. Your clients take your group fitness classes because they want to look and/or feel better. They need a boost that activates their continuing desire to improve their well-being. You can raise their confidence by focusing on their progress and turning their weakness into opportunities to grow.
Reassure your clients
If some of your clients think they can’t keep up with their classmates or aren’t seeing the results they want, you should discuss whether the class aligns with their goals. If not, then they may need a specialized routine. Reassure them that not everyone responds to exercise the same way. However, a workout that speaks to their goals and limits can get them where they want to be.
Use music
Although you shouldn’t crank up the radio too loud, you should use music to guide your clients through their workout. Instruct them, turn on music that matches the mood, and let your class do what they came to do: exercise. You could also ask your clients to submit song requests and add them to a playlist.
Know when to talk and when not to
Enthusiastically yelling encouragement can have the opposite effect. You should balance your tone and volume to get your point across better. Don’t just bark instructions. Engage in a dialogue. Feel free to step back and let them focus on their workout. Plus how can your clients pick up on what’s important if you’re always talking? Use silence to your advantage.
Join your class
Get off the stage and walk among your clients. Check their form and suggest improvements if necessary. Compliment their hard work. You could even exercise with them to show them you believe in your routine.
Create community
A group fitness class doesn’t have to grow into a family but it can become a community of like-minded individuals who seek different goals via similar methods. You can refer to your class as a community. You can encourage clients to encourage each other. Working together can be more exciting than working alone. Make an environment that promotes togetherness.
Create competition
No, your clients shouldn’t compete against one another. You probably don’t want resentment sprouting up in your classes. Your clients should compete against themselves. Help them set goals. Push them to surpass them and set the bar higher for next time. You don’t want to push them for fear of injuries but you should try to create an inner competition that makes them want to do better.
Try new things
From exercise to equipment, trying new things can refresh your clients’ workouts. You can incorporate things you’ve seen online or ask your classes what they would like to do. Occasionally refreshing your group fitness routine can engage clients who are tired of the same boring workout.
Engage on social media
Use social media to celebrate your client’s successes (with their permission of course). Instead of directly promoting your classes, social media posts can show the world that your classes produce results. For people who don’t use social media, you can send them follow-up emails to congratulate them on their progress.
Have fun
Some people love exercising. Others see it as a necessary evil. Make your classes fun and entertaining for both groups. You can turn a normal class into a themed event. Use upcoming holidays as inspiration.
The Motivation You Need
You work hard to help your clients achieve their fitness goals. What if one of them is injured during class? Are you prepared to deal with the costly consequences?
Zumba instructor insurance and other exercise class insurance can protect you from claims and lawsuits even if you did nothing wrong. Accidents happen and people make mistakes. However, you don’t have to be the one to pay for them.
Insure Fitness Group offers you group fitness insurance that gives you the protection you need.
It doesn’t matter if you work solo, in small gym environments, or for a national gym chain. You need a comprehensive policy that helps ensure your long, fruitful career in personal fitness. How can you motivate people to reach for their dreams when you can’t afford to do what you love?
We know the fitness industry and the risks our members face. Therefore, we offer the best combination of affordability and coverage. Our policies cover a range of exercise programs from Aerobics to Tae Bo. Our general and professional liability coverage pays out up to $1 million for each occurrence and $3 million in total per member, per year.
Motivate your clients without worrying about your insurance coverage. Contact us today when you’re ready to purchase a policy.
