For many, the holiday season can be incredibly stressful. This stress causes the neurotransmitters in the brain go into overdrive from the ever present stimulus of food, shopping, and parties. But, you can survive and thrive through the holidays with willpower. Inside the central nervous system, dopamine functions primarily as a local chemical messaging system. […]
Have you looked at your class participants as they walk into your class? Most are hunched forward, in a similar position to sitting at a desk all day long. If you were to ask them to stay in the same posture, but lay on the floor, what exercise would they then resemble? If you just […]
Group fitness classes should teach movements that are easily replicated in the “real world” life of our clients. The motions we teach should be functional and need to move in the natural alignment of the body. If we start to teach exercises that are not in natural positions, we risk injuries for our clients. It […]
Every weekend, I have the pleasure of training and educating other fitness professionals. I love my job. The life of a fitness educator is not glamorous; I live out of a suitcase. But I thoroughly enjoy working with other like-minded people. While training instructors in the Barre Above program, I have had numerous trainers complain of low […]
Remember lying on the mat in elementary school P.E. or early aerobics classes and doing numerous crunches over and over again? Who would have thought that your gym coach and group fitness instructor would lead you in the wrong direction? Science has shown us that crunches are terrible for your spine. Performing crunches only shortens […]
Last week, I wrote about the three types of cuing and how to use cues to connect with your class. But have you ever noticed that in your group fitness classes that there are people who can immediately correct themselves based on one cue while others take months of correction to understand? While there are […]
When you walk into a group fitness class, what do you see? Beginners to athletes, males to females, experienced to newbies, a group fitness class population truly can run the gauntlet. Yet, we as instructors must connect with each student while providing a safe and effective workout for everyone. How do we juggle so many […]
Last week, I wrote about my journey from fitness performer to coach in my blog Be a Coach in Your Group Fitness Class. This week, I want to expand upon this thought and introduce you to the three C’s of success. These three tips will help you grow as a fitness professional, earn the respect […]
In a recent social media post, I offered a reminder to fitness professionals that we should be coaching and not performing. I loved the feedback, comments and questions. The post’s interactions has inspired me to share my own story, as well as more of what I have learned from teaching for over two decades. Also, I […]
Trainers, are you contantly asked “Can I spot reduce my gluteus (a.k.a. booty) in your barre class?” I am! And my answer is always…”Nope!” And when asked if one can roll it with a foam roller or similar device to break-up the cellulite and cause the booty to be smaller, I give the similar answer of “Nope!” […]