Posts from — July 2007

This final combo in my July series is almost too easy to post, but sometimes even the no-brainers are hard to come up with.  So here is the basic combo, with definitions.  No progression, because there really isn’t one:

Around the world, anyway you like it (16)
L step (8)
Figure 8 (8)

Definitions:

Around the world, anyway you like it – I like to give my students  the choice to work whichever move they like around the world.  Mix ‘em up for fun or try a different variation everytime you start the combo.  Leg sides, knees, extensions, inner thighs, leg curls, jumpshots, taps, hops, kicks…  so many choices, so little time!

Figure 8 - Step hop R on the bench to turn and face the back (12) two steps LR on the floor facing back (34) step hop L on the floor to turn and face the front (56) two steps RL on the floor moving forward (78)

Enjoy!

In this series of four posts, I’m providing a different step combo with teaching progression – as best I can explain my mad methodology!  Enjoy!

Combo 3:

1/2 V Shake(4) R lead
hop 1/4 turn off the end (4) R lead, exit to the right of the step
split basic (8) L lead
repeater turn (8) L lead
hop turn (4) R lead
4 party marches (4) L lead

Definitions:
V-Shake -   
(1) Step up R
(2) Step up L wide (like you are starting a V step) 
(3-6) shake your hips RLRL
(78) Exit RL

1/2 V-shake  -
(1) Step up R
(2) Step up L wide (like you are starting a V step) 
(34) shake your hips RL

Split Basic –  
(12) Step up RL
(3) tap the floor behind you (or lunge back) R
(4) step on the step R
(5) tap the floor behind you (or lunge back) L
(6) step on the step L
(78) Exit RL

Repeater turn -
3 knee repeater the same as usual, but gradually rotate 1/4 turn around the corner of the bench

Party Marches -
march while shimmying your shoulders and partying with your hips

Teaching progression:

March on top of the bench RLRL (4) + hop R (2) [step R and hop R on top of the bench] +
exit LR to home(2) + 2 basics L.  Reverse and repeat as needed.

Repeater knee R, 1 hop L march 4 steps RLRL.  Repeat as needed.

Add together to create the full combo skeleton:
march on top of the bench hop exit.
2 basics
repeater knee
1 hop march on the floor

Now you will start to layer in all the fun stuff.  I add them in this order:
Party marches in place of the last marches on the floor
Split Basics
Direction changes
V Shakes

Have fun!

 In this series of four posts, I’m sharing the combos I created to sub a step class recently.  Included are my definitions of each non-self-explanatory step and the teaching progressions – as best I can explain my mad methodology!

Combo #2:

3-knee repeater with kick (8) R lead
single knee (4) R lead
mambo across and back (4) L lead
mambo cha cha x2 ** (8) L lead
2 knee repeater (5) ski (3) L lead
Reverse

** To add to this, make the first mambo cha cha ”normal” and do the second on the floor swapping a  pivot turn for the mambo.
 

Definitions:
knee repeater kick – Do a three knee repeater the way you always do.  On count 8, instead of stepping or tapping, do a kick with your lead foot so that you do not reverse.

mambo across and back – Just like a regular mambo, except that instead of taking the first step on the bench, take your lead foot over to step in front of the step.  Step your second step in place.  Then complete the mambo as usual with your lead foot behind and second step in place.

ski – Start with your lead foot slightly behind your other foot, weight evenly distributed. Jump to quickly switch your back foot to the front at the same time the front foot switches to the back.

Teaching Progression:

Teach mambo across the bench and back.  Set aside.

Knee repeater kick x2 or x4 +  knees to 3 corners + mambo across the bench and back 12 counts. reverse.
Then, steadily condense it to one of each step as in the combo.

2 knee repeater(5), march 2 counts(2), clap on 8 – no feet (1).  Repeat to get comfortable with the rhythm.  Either here or later in the progression, change “march 2 clap” to 3 skis.

Mix in the mambo cha chas, starting with each on the bench, then change to one on, one off, and eventually one on, one pivot.

When you have this block down, add it to the first block to complete the combo.

Have fun!

I don’t teach Step regularly anymore as interest in it at the main club where I teach has waned significantly.  It has never really been my forte as an instructor either.  However, I got a call to sub at a different gym last night, and I had the pleasure of putting a few combos together.  Since I wasn’t sure of the audience, I tried to vary the choreography difficulty, without going overboard.  In this series of four posts, I’m including each combo with teaching progression – as best I can explain my mad methodology!

Combo 1: Mambo Madness 

5-count mambo x 2 (10) R lead
3-count mambo x 2 (6)  R lead
reverse turn      (4)  R lead
3-count mambo x 2 (6)  R lead
2 knee repeater (6) to reverse

Definitions:

5-count mambo -
Angle the body to the left front corner of the room. 
 (1) Step R foot on L corner of the step
 (2) Step L foot on floor slightly left of the step.
 (3) Step R foot on the L corner of the step (it stays in the same place, essentially)
 (4) Step L foot on floor behind R foot
 (5) Step R foot on floor next to L foot facing the front

3-count mambo -
Angle the body to the left front corner of the room.  
(1) Step R foot on L corner of the step
(2) Step L foot on floor directly to the left of the step.
(3) Step R foot on the L corner of the step (it stays in the same place, essentially)

Reverse turn -
Angle the body to the left front corner of the room.  
(1) Step R foot on L corner of the step
(2) Face the back of the room, step L foot on the step
(3) Step R foot on the floor, continue turning
(4) Step L foot next to R on the floor, facing front

Teaching Progression:

Teach 3 count mambos, set them aside.

Teach 5 count mambo, 6 marches. Repeat as needed.

Teach reverse turn, 6 marches, 2 knee repeater.  Reverse and repeat as needed.

Combine to have: 5 count mambo, 6 marches, Reverse turn, 6 marches, 2 knee repeater.  Reverse and repeat as needed.

Demonstrate the 3-count mambo in place of the 6 marches then let them go crazy!

Have fun!

This post is going to attempt to address some of the basic steps you’ll need to take to get started teaching group fitness.   Keep in mind, this is only a guide.  There are many ways of approaching this industry, and this is just my advice based on my experience.

 1. Take classes.  It seems obvious (I hope), but in order to understand what will be expected of you as a group fitness instructor it helps to have attended classes prior to becoming an instructor.  For the most part, group fitness instructors are folks who loved fitness classes so much they wanted to teach.  However, there are many folks who come in to the group fitness arena because they are skilled in a “trendy” activity that the director wants to turn into a fitness class, e.g. Capoeira, Belly Dancing, Tennis — I have seen all kinds of specialty classes.  These classes fail frequently when the instructor isn’t given an understanding of what group fitness participants want from their workout.  To those instructors especially, I encourage you to take a couple of classes and get a feel for what the people in the room are there for.

2.  Get your CPR certification.  Almost all certifications require it, as do most gyms.  You can find a class offered by either the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association by visiting their websites and searching for offerings in your area.  You can also inquire at your health club, local hospital or by checking the yellow pages for EMT training courses.  The class you are looking for is Adult CPR, probably with AED.  The AHA calls it “Heartsaver” training. 

 3.  Decide what you want to teach.  There are numerous certifiying bodies and certification types for you to choose from.  There are certifications for just about every style of class available, plus proprietary classes (like LesMills and TurboKick), and general certs.  If you want to teach Yoga, it makes more sense for you to earn yoga credentials than a general fitness cert.  While some certifications provide general information that can apply to a variety of styles, you should pick the cert that makes the most sense for you.  Ask instructors of the classes that you want to teach which ones they have to get an idea of where you can look in addition to the list here.  This is only a handful of the “better-known” certfications and is certainly not all-inclusive.  It is also not an endorsement of any particular program (hence, just the links).  If you have a suggestion for a class I’m missing, please let me know!

General Group Fitness

• AFAA - (If you live in or near a city where they will host APEX this year, you can get their certifications for $99/day)
• ACE 
• NETA

Indoor Cycling

• Johnny G Spinning/Mad Dogg Athletics
• Cycle Reebok 
• Schwinn
• LeMond Fitness RevMaster Indoor Cycling

Step

• AFAA
• BodyStep by LesMills (Please see Les Mills in the proprietary section.)

Pilates

• Stott Pilates
• PHI Pilates
• BASI Pilates
• FiTour
• AFAA
• NETA

Yoga

Yoga certification is a process of study that can take 800 hours, and usually involves studying under a mentor.  Check your local yoga studio for suggestions to begin this process. 

Proprietary

Your gym may be licensed for a specific brand of classes.  Some will be exclusive to one brand, others may allow a blend of branded and unbranded classes on their schedule.  Check with the director of the club where you want to teach to find out what your options are.  Here are a few proprietary brands:

• BodyStep, BodyPump, RPM, BodyJam, BodyFlow, etc by Les Mills
• Billy Blank’s Tae Bo

4.   Sign up for the certification class and start any pre-workshop studying.  Once you take the course and pass the exam, you will receive your certificate and can begin looking for a place to teach.

5.  Get a mentor.  Ask for an experienced instructor to allow you to take their classes, learn from their example,  and be a source for information and advice.  Better yet, get hired on at a gym that has this type of program already in place for new instructors.  Most people will be flattered and excited about helping someone who truly is seeking out assistance in getting started the right way. 

One last quick comment about certifications:  there are many organizations out there that will get you “certified” just so that they can take your money.  The fitness industry is laden with scams for everyone, not just those who want to lose weight.  There are many choices out there so do your homework, ask around and get the facts before you give them money.  I have experience with each of the organizations above and while some come more highly recommended than others, I wanted to give you a variety for comparison purposes.  Again, if you aren’t sure if the cert will get you a job, ask the manager at the facility where you want to teach!!

 Best of luck!

I have recieved numerous hits and questions regarding what an instructor actually makes for teaching classes.  Unfortunately, I do not have an answer that applies across the board, but I can shed some light on the question.

First, Group Fitness Instructors rarely earn a salary.  Most often, they are paid an hourly wage or a fixed amount  per class that they teach.  How high that wage is depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

• Experience.  I have worked at clubs that gave you a raise every year that you taught for them or everytime you earned another certification.
• Geography.  Depending on the cost of living or minimum wage in your area, the wage might be higher or lower.  Although, interestingly enough, I get paid more in Charleston, SC than I did at any of the clubs I taught for in NYC.  Go figure.
• Club Exclusivity.  Working for the most exclusive club in your area is certain to yield higher income than the public gym, although this is not a hard and fast rule.  There are some places that want only the best, and they pay to acquire them.
• Class Attendance.  It isn’t common, but yes, you might earn a sort of “commission” based on how many attendees you have.  How much and the cutoff are completely dependent upon the health club.

I think a fair ballpark for the average GFI is somewhere between $15 and $25 per hour-long class.  It is just a guess, of course, but it is based on my experience.  Then, if you figure that you are teaching the maximum recommended number of classes per week (no more than 12 according to AFAA to stay safe), you are pulling in $180 - $300 per week before taxes or $800 – $1300 per month.  However, I don’t know too many instructors who teach more than 6 per week.

Also,  instructors often are given perks, such as free gym membership, sometimes for spouses too, and discounts on merchandise, training, or services.  Even so, many instructors (myself included) don’t teach to make money.  By the time you purchase gear, music, shoes, and continuing education, you haven’t even broken even.  In order to profit from group fitness, you have to find creative ways to charge for your services, which I blogged about last month.  Check out How to Make $100 or More Per Class.

 I hope that helps!