Hmmm, I don't think I've gotten to the point where I LOVE teaching either. Teaching 2 classes today - already taught step & abs at 6:15, getting ready for bootcamp at 9:30. I'm going to be more myself this week, last week I was trying to be all drill seargeant at the class, since it was bootcamp, but it really wasn't ME.
Have any of you ever tried to emulate another instructor's style or do you just do your own thing?
I'm going out to lunch with bf after, gonna drop off a resume, and then teach piano in the evening.
Pre-gym: Luna bar Post-gym: chicken, cheese, spinach wrap; blueberry yogurt Lunch: spinach salad, quarter chicken Dinner: ???
i don't expect that i'll ever love teaching. i don't even particularly enjoy it most of the time. i only do it because there aren't any classes available for me to take that i enjoy, and also because making the commitment to teach means i'll definitely get my butt to the gym for at least that one workout. plus the free gym membership. but if i had tons of classes available to take i probably wouldn't teach at all.
Why the heck are you all teaching if you don't love it? Jen especially if you don't even enjoy it. Its not like its the kind of job you can make a living at as just a regular instructor at a gym. I'm only paid well because I've earned it due to long experience, but I still couldn't support myself just teaching classes (mind you I might be a little tougher w/ the lower paying places if I needed to but I have the luxury of doing it mostly because I LOVE IT). Granted I didn't expect to love it. I got into it because I was sick of taking class classes w/ crummy intructors at a gym that wasn't willing to hire anyone better. If one complains they should be willing to make change. My complaints went unheard so I went out and learned to do it right by getting certified (most instructors weren't back then). I was thoroughly surprised to discover I loved it - right from the start.
The only reason to do this job IS because you love it! How fair is it for the participants to regularly get instructors that are asking questions like this one? I don't think you eventually achieve a point where you say, "Wow, I love this now!" That's something that's there from the start or it isn't. I could and am probably wrong as I've never discussed this w/ anyone before because it just seems that every instructor I know loves it too. How does one make it through the highs & lows of struggling to get comfortable w/ all aspects of instructing over the first few years or teaching formats they're not crazy about if they don't love it. My self esteem couldn't have survived if it weren't for the fact that this is something I really enjoy. I do teach some formats I don't like but I still enjoy instructing and if its something I really dislike or I'm sick of doing it I won't teach it becuase I'm paid to provide a good workout & a positive, motivational experience and I can't do it in those situations. Nobody holds a gun to your head and forces you to teach a class you don't like. When asked you just say "No".
I believe Melissa asked about what to do about the whiners in a Cardio Combo class that just want Step. Cardio Combo is on the schedule and I'm guessing you're more comfortable w/ that format so tell them politely you're going teach what you were hired to teach, they should give it a chance before poopoo-ing it and if they still want Step they need to speak to mgmt. about having the schedule changed. Ask yourself how many people quit coming to class because they don't like doing just Step.
As for emulating other instructors:
1. Some people just do it naturally and that's how some learn to be good instructors and find their own style, in which case its a good thing
2. If it doesn't feel like you don't do it - it shows and is often annoying for the participants, particularly if they do that other instructor's class as well
3. Not all the participants want the same things in an instructor so never feel that you need to project a certain persona or use a certain style, especially if its not you. Being yourself is always the best way to go - don't assume people won't like it. (I'm a straight forward, back-to-basics, form & education focused instructor. I don't do fancy choreography or fast music, don't smile alot but like to joke around - mostly self-deprecating stuff, am not particularly stylish or funky but people enjoy my classes as much as the other type. Sometimes the same people, sometimes not.)
4. If participants wanted classes to be the same they'd rent a video. Even w/ the pre-choreographed classes its stressed that we need to put our own mark on it, perform it our own way. (Unfortunately too many instructors just mimic the instructors in the choreography videos - I make a point of avoiding these instructors classes as its annoying to point of distraction. I have members comment about how it bugs them that some instructors say the same things the same way at the same point every class not knowing the instructor is actually mimicing the video.)
Anyway that's my two cents. I'm not implying anyone who doesn't love it is a bad instructor and certainly not that everyone that loves the job is good at it just that if you don't love it why do it and loving it is usually the difference between being a good instructor and a great one (no, I'm not saying I'm a great one).
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Hmmm, I don't think I've gotten to the point where I LOVE teaching either.
Teaching 2 classes today - already taught step & abs at 6:15, getting ready for bootcamp at 9:30. I'm going to be more myself this week, last week I was trying to be all drill seargeant at the class, since it was bootcamp, but it really wasn't ME.
Have any of you ever tried to emulate another instructor's style or do you just do your own thing?
I'm going out to lunch with bf after, gonna drop off a resume, and then teach piano in the evening.
Pre-gym: Luna bar
Post-gym: chicken, cheese, spinach wrap; blueberry yogurt
Lunch: spinach salad, quarter chicken
Dinner: ???
I like teaching, but I don't love it yet.....
I was asked to take over a class and I actually really dislike that class.
Maybe it's like working out.
Jean,
Why the heck are you all teaching if you don't love it? Jen especially if you don't even enjoy it. Its not like its the kind of job you can make a living at as just a regular instructor at a gym. I'm only paid well because I've earned it due to long experience, but I still couldn't support myself just teaching classes (mind you I might be a little tougher w/ the lower paying places if I needed to but I have the luxury of doing it mostly because I LOVE IT). Granted I didn't expect to love it. I got into it because I was sick of taking class classes w/ crummy intructors at a gym that wasn't willing to hire anyone better. If one complains they should be willing to make change. My complaints went unheard so I went out and learned to do it right by getting certified (most instructors weren't back then). I was thoroughly surprised to discover I loved it - right from the start.
The only reason to do this job IS because you love it! How fair is it for the participants to regularly get instructors that are asking questions like this one? I don't think you eventually achieve a point where you say, "Wow, I love this now!" That's something that's there from the start or it isn't. I could and am probably wrong as I've never discussed this w/ anyone before because it just seems that every instructor I know loves it too. How does one make it through the highs & lows of struggling to get comfortable w/ all aspects of instructing over the first few years or teaching formats they're not crazy about if they don't love it. My self esteem couldn't have survived if it weren't for the fact that this is something I really enjoy. I do teach some formats I don't like but I still enjoy instructing and if its something I really dislike or I'm sick of doing it I won't teach it becuase I'm paid to provide a good workout & a positive, motivational experience and I can't do it in those situations. Nobody holds a gun to your head and forces you to teach a class you don't like. When asked you just say "No".
I believe Melissa asked about what to do about the whiners in a Cardio Combo class that just want Step. Cardio Combo is on the schedule and I'm guessing you're more comfortable w/ that format so tell them politely you're going teach what you were hired to teach, they should give it a chance before poopoo-ing it and if they still want Step they need to speak to mgmt. about having the schedule changed. Ask yourself how many people quit coming to class because they don't like doing just Step.
As for emulating other instructors:
1. Some people just do it naturally and that's how some learn to be good instructors and find their own style, in which case its a good thing
2. If it doesn't feel like you don't do it - it shows and is often annoying for the participants, particularly if they do that other instructor's class as well
3. Not all the participants want the same things in an instructor so never feel that you need to project a certain persona or use a certain style, especially if its not you. Being yourself is always the best way to go - don't assume people won't like it. (I'm a straight forward, back-to-basics, form & education focused instructor. I don't do fancy choreography or fast music, don't smile alot but like to joke around - mostly self-deprecating stuff, am not particularly stylish or funky but people enjoy my classes as much as the other type. Sometimes the same people, sometimes not.)
4. If participants wanted classes to be the same they'd rent a video. Even w/ the pre-choreographed classes its stressed that we need to put our own mark on it, perform it our own way. (Unfortunately too many instructors just mimic the instructors in the choreography videos - I make a point of avoiding these instructors classes as its annoying to point of distraction. I have members comment about how it bugs them that some instructors say the same things the same way at the same point every class not knowing the instructor is actually mimicing the video.)
Anyway that's my two cents. I'm not implying anyone who doesn't love it is a bad instructor and certainly not that everyone that loves the job is good at it just that if you don't love it why do it and loving it is usually the difference between being a good instructor and a great one (no, I'm not saying I'm a great one).
Good luck all and take care.
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