The NEW 5 Key Key Elemen Elements ts to Packing Packing Clas Classes ses There are some some really exciting exciting developments in the way we’ll be training and assessing instructors from now on.
First up, let’s be really clear that none of the changes we’ve made take anything away from the training you’ve already received. The improvements we’ve made will keep us at the leading edge of group fitness, and it’s our hope that you will take note of the changes and challenge yourself to keep growing and developing as an instructor.
So what are these changes? First of all, we’ve renamed the 5 Key Elements and subtly altered the focus of how we teach them.
Your measure of success Let’s face it – the ultimate test of successful group fitness teaching is big class numbers. Your job is to grow class numbers, reaching as many people as possible – one class at a time, one person at a time.
You’ll know you’re there when your classes are packed!
The 5 Key Elements to packing classes are: 1. Choreography 2. Technique 3. Coaching 4. Connecting 5. Fitness Magic Another development is the way that we now ground each Key Element firmly in the essence of the program. It’s so important that EVERY instructor in EVERY program is teaching in a way that is in keeping with the essence of the program. Knowing and understanding what the essence of each program is, forms a central part of the new instructor training.
Choreography to WOW your Classes There is little change here, here,
Do what performing artists do...
except we’ve renamed Pre-
• Learn your material, know your choreography choreography intimately.
Choreography, ‘Choreography’ ‘Choreo graphy’..
• Be set free to deliver life-changing experiences. • Focus on delivery.
People love great choreography
You no now w yo you’ u’re re t er ere e w en en...... You learn choreography quickly and effectively. • You feel confident and excited about delivering delivering a new class. • You can play any song on the release and your od kno knows ws the move moves. s..
Hot tips for learning choreography
set to great music. Every three
• Listen to your your music – in the car, car, at home, everywhere.
Video your class and ask yourself:
months you receive fresh new
• Go to Quarterly Release days and watch expert role models.
• Do I follow the correct format?
music with great choreography and ongoing education.
• Watch your DVD DVD over and over – join in and do it.
o I know my choreography 100%? • Do I balance my track track selection? selection?
• Look for patterns patterns in the choreography – see them in your mind. • Make notes about sequences. • Get involved in Club Club Launches. • Set aside time to prepare before every class.
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Your job is to learn your choreography 100%
© Les Mills I nternational Ltd 2006
Role-model Technique Until recently, we’ve referred
We’re looking for instructors to show correct:
to this Key Element as ‘Physical
• Position
Execution’, however, we believe
• Timing
role-model Technique speaks
You now you’re t ere w en... • Your participants start to move with great technique.
• Execution
• Your participants tell you they’re inspired by the way you move.
• Fitness, and
• A peer, trainer or manager te s you t at your technique is perfect.
• Feel... or Style (in the case of BODYJAM™)
more broadly and accurately about what we now expect to see.
Hot tips for perfecting Technique • Review your execution fanatically by practising in the mirror.
Grow your class numbers by becoming such a fantastic role model that your participants aspire to move like you.
o I demonstrate the correct alignment and posture?
People come to class to get results. The main way they achieve them is by following you. The way you look and the quality of your movement determine their physical experience.
• Do I demonstrate safe, effective movement and range? • Do I move in time with the music? • Do I maintain perfect form from the begin ing to the end of the class?
You’re a powerful role model
• Do I demonstrate appropriate feel, look an attitude of the track and program?
• Transcend to inspirational movement • Be in shape to teach
• Videotape your class and be brave enough to watch and critique yourself.
Your job is to be an example of perfect technique.
• Demand peer review – ask for feedback from other instructors, your head teacher or GFM.
Coaching
Video your class and ask yourself:
.
mastery
We’ve renamed Instruction to align more with what YOU DO to help your participants achieve their goals – Coaching.
Grow your class numbers by mastering the art of coaching. People will come to your class if they can follow you easily and you lead them to a place they couldn’t get to on their own.
• Your whole class is following successfully.
Great coaching includes:
• They improve over time.
• Everything you say and do to help your participants follow the class correctly and reach their goals
Vi eo your c a ss an as yourse :
• Giving the right information at the right time • Role-modeling, educating, instructing and inspiring
Hot tips for mastering Coaching
• They understand why they’re doing the moves.
• Do I deliver the right information at the right time? • Am I easy to understand and follow? • Do I use effective coaching language? • Am I organize ?
• Be organized and have a Plan B. • Always teach as if there’s someone new in class. • Give the right info at the right time – script each new track. • Practise visual cueing, especially previewing. • Educate your participants about the benefits of the program. • Look for opportunities to improve their technique.
Your job is to make sure your class can understand and follow you successfully and get the results they came for.
• Believe in your participants – give them positive feedback. • Use your voice to create contrast.
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© Les Mills I nternational Ltd 2006
Connecting The fourth Key Element used to be Communication but, when you think about it, every element requires you to communicate with your class,
Hot tips for Connecting • Treasure your class slot like gold – be there every week and make each week special. • Get to know people’s names and remember them. • Meet participants before class and stay around after class to chat. • Involve them – request song suggestions and welcome feedback.
so we’ve renamed this element
• Prepare class-focused objectives. Use the sentence starter: “Today I want the people in my class to feel/experience...”. You know you’re there when... • Let your passion for the music and exercises show.
‘Connecting’.
• Let the music soar through the class without talking over it all the time.
• Peop e spontaneous y come up to ta to you before and after class.
• Go the extra mile – find ways to add value for your participants.
• They respond to you by replying, smiling ack, laughing at your jokes... maybe! • The same eo le kee comin back – nd, MOST IMPORTANTLY, the bring their friends.
Your job is to engage your participants. Grow your class numbers by developing powerful relationships with your par ticipants. When you create an atmosphere that allows them to tune in with themselves, the workout and you, you create connection.
Video your class and ask your elf:
• Be real – you need to be YOU!
• Do I engage my participants i the workout, the music and ME?
• Create a warm and welcoming environment. • Let participants get to know you. • Let the music and movement drive the whole experience.
• Am I open an approac a e? • Do I cater to the needs of the c lass?
• Be open and keep things positive.
Creating
Fitness Magic
The last Key Element now is creating Fitness Magic. Think back to the last great performance you experienced, whether it was on the stage, at the movies or on center court at the tennis.
Your job is to teach with the look and feel of the program and to do this in a natural way.
Memorable moments lik e that are m agic. There’s something about them that’s difficult to describe or pin down – it’s just that the experience was magic – and it’s that special something that resists definition that is fitness magic. The people in our research groups say over and over again that while they may have chosen a class for mainly practical reasons like its physical benefits, it’s the unique buzz of a particular class that keeps them coming back for more.
The secret is to identify exactly what the unique experiential elements are that people love in each class, and how to make sure that they’re maximized in our own classes. When you’re on top of the other four Key Elements and align yourself with the look and feel and attitude of the program – the scene is set for fitness magic. You know you’re there when... • You’re in a state of flow.
Hot tips for creating magic
• You teach from the program essence.
• Make the workout unique – teach from your strengths.
• They clap and cheer spontaneously at the end of each track or class.
• Look the part – get dressed up in the appropriate gear for the program.
Video your class and ask yourself:
• WOW the crowd – learn and practise where to stand, how to stand, how to command attention, how to create shared moments. • Let the music have the opportunity to speak.
• Your class is addicted to your workout experience.
• Do I capture the program essence? • Do I create a journey of contrasts? • Is my teaching style natural?
• Use contrast in your teaching – highs and lows. • Create fantastic finales; introduce fun and finesse to your teaching. • LOVE WHAT YOU DO AND SHOW IT.
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© Les Mills I nternational Ltd 2006
