After nearly 9 months hiatus, I finally returned to teach my first Spinning class. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to — scheduling just never worked in my favor. I am also fortunate to work in one club where sub requests are snatched up instantly, but the flip side of that is that I have been too slow to pick up extra classes! Eventually (and it was bound to happen sooner or later), the fine gentleman who replaced me in my early morning spot decided to take a vacation, so I stepped in to teach the folks I had the pleasure of leading for almost two years once again. What a great group of folks! They welcomed me back and took away any of the nervousness I was feeling as I got my bike set up. We had a great ride, and, naturally, I want to share it with you!
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I think that Step Aerobics are our generation’s version of Square Dancing. Sometimes I feel like a Square Dance Caller! That was our running joke through class this past Monday. All I’m missing is “Bow to Your Partner.” Maybe I’ll work that in next week.

Here’s this week’s Step Choreography. We had a lot of fun with it, especially all the “down down up ups.” I threw in a funky kick move on top of the bench in Combo 2. If you’re not a fan of flair, then 2 marches can be substituted nicely. This is probably how you will layer anyway.

I also found several “Top 40 DJ Mixes” on Napster that we got to jam out to. I am a huge fan of Lady GaGa — she’s been played lots on the radio, but I haven’t gotten tired of her yet! She’s on Volume 10 of My Fitness Mixes Top 40 DJ Mix. It’s 30 minutes long, so I threw Volume 9 in there too. You guys are going to have a blast! JUST DANCE!

Here are the links and then the moves:

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Raise your hand if you downloaded the Mamma Mia mix from last week’s Step Choreography post and were totally rocking it out, loving the energy, partying like a rock star and then WHAM!!!  Deafening obnoxious pause as track 1 ended and the CD player waited for track 2 to begin?  ARRRRGH!!!   I imagine that when an elephant trips and falls it feels about the same as having that irritating 2 second lull interrupt your flow.  I can’t stand it in my Spinning or Pilates classes either, which is why I started DJ’ing my music long ago.  You can too!  There are ways to avoid that annoying pause, but beware — it could take a bit of effort.
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Happy Valentine’s Day! 

As a fitness instructor, you are always looking for ways to spice up your next class to make it memorable for your participants. What a more perfect reason to add some themed music to your classes this week and weekend?  No, you don’t have to go crazy and further saturate their ears with notions of cupid and hearts and doilies, but you can give a nod to Hallmark’s greatest accomplishment. If you haven’t already put the finishing touches on your Valentine’s Playlist, check out these suggestions on iTunes and Napster.  There is something here for every style: warm ups, cool downs, step, sculpt, Pilates, yoga, Spinning, boot camp… These lists are not just for my cyclists! You’ll notice there are two separate lists since V-Day is sort of a love it or hate it kind of holiday.    Enjoy the music!
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Today’s profile is heavily influenced by a ride I took at Florida MANIA.  It was called “Ultimate Time Trial” and it was presented by Schwinn Cycling Master Trainer Keli Roberts.   Keli is an avid road racer and had a great deal of personal detail to share with us about racing and time trialing.  It was very inspiring to be taught the technique of racing by a rider who has won road races.  Not only that, but Keli is an absolutely charming lady with great coaching ability and a constant smile.  Even at the high point of the race, she was glowing and cheering us on.  Quite motivating.

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Step aerobics is to group fitness what the immigration issue is to politics — divisive.  Members either love it or hate it, walk out if the instructor taps, get confused if she doesn’t, one bench or four…  As for me… I’m one who loves to take a highly-choreographed, super-advanced, prancing all over as many benches as we can fit in the room.  But teaching it?  Holy crap, I can barely cue one move every four counts and I seem to fall off the step at least once a quarter.  (I’d like to blame my clubs slippery floors, but alas, I am that clumsy.) 

So I admit it, I am a weak Step instructor.  How, then, does one explain why one of the more popular classes at one gym where I teach happens to be my Step class?  Is it possible to teach Step using the K.I.S.S. forumla and still keep die-hard Steppers satisfied?  I dare say it is.  Here are my secrets to satisfying all ends of the Step Spectrum.

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