The first Monday evening classes are

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
The first Monday evening classes are
17
Tue, 01-18-2005 - 1:58pm

behind me. They went well even though they are not my favorite type classes to teach. I didn't want to go over board with the butt and gutt since I was doing a cardio/sculpting class afterwards and I knew I would be doing squats and lunges in it to avoid bending down too much to pick up weights. I got good feedback and I have to admit, the Cardio 1&1 went really fast. I mixed up the sculpting with step, a little low impact and kick boxing.

When I started the kickboxing portion someone in the front picked up 3 lb weights to do the punches with. It just came right out of my mouth and right over the mic to "please...no weights when doing kick boxing...it is too much strain on your joints". I know that wasn't the best way to handle that but I didn't want anyone else to get a "bright" idea to try it. I am sure I made an "enemy" with that member. But, I believe in exercising safely.

I took the Tues morning class today that I will be taking over the next week. The instructor is leaving because she got a better offer to teach at another gym. And...this is an instructor that does not teach hi/lo on beat! I am hoping to change the time back to 9:30 because 10 is just too late for the first class of the day and no one is using the room earlier. The classes start at 9:30 on the other days that Jazzercise is not using the room. I hope the director changes it because the members want it earlier too. Hopefully I will be accomadated since we don't get paid very much in this gym. One reason they lose new instructors so quickly...I get more since I started teaching there before these owners and I said I would not teach for less.

It looks like I will be turning more into a gym rat again as long as my feet hold up.

Grace

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 01-18-2005 - 11:35pm

it's not worth it if you are doing it for the money. few people make a profit at it, and only those who have been doing it for years and teach a million classes a week like soleil.

jean is right that normal pay in the dc area is about $25 - that's what i get paid for subbing at private gyms. the Y pays about half that, plus free membership. the low pay is one reason i'm dropping one of my classes at the Y and why i prefer subbing. i don't break even on teaching - it costs me money, when you factor in the CEUS, the music, the expense of travelling to the gym, etc.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 7:14am

I don't know what the more experienced instructors at my gym make but I tihnk it's a lot more.






iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 10:01am

That is what I assumed would be the pay. I have never asked one of my instructors because asking someone what they make is such a private thing to me. I also know alot of the instructors at my gym and I would have never thought one of them was in it for the money. I honestly think they do it for free gym membership, they are good at teaching, and they would be there anyway so why not try and make some money out of it. Most of the instructors at my gym teach about 5 classes per week, so I am sure there is some financial benefit.

That really stinks you have to pay for your own music and certifications, once you are employed by a gym they should pay for that. I mean some of the classes I take have up to 40 people in them, just think of all the money the instructors are bringing in.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 10:45am
As I'm learning, the problem w/ teaching a lot of classes is that it's hard to fit in your own workout.





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 10:59am

you do a lot more prep now, because you are still new. there is a lot less prep once you are more experienced. i do nearly no prep for my cardio kickboxing classes.


i get more of workout when teaching than i would if i took the class. my cardio kickboxing class is too hard for me! i kick my own butt every week. it's probably the most intense workout i do.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 11:24am

Yeah, the ball teacher can pretty much wings it.






iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 12:30pm
Speaking of getting paid--I totally forgot to pick up my paycheck from Dec!





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