http://www.groupfitness.org/_/instructors/ Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:51:20 +0000 43200 Fitness information and resources http://www.groupfitness.org/_/instructors/10-tips-to-becoming-a-better-les-mills-instructor-r9
1. Quarterly Workshops
One of the single best things about going to the Quarterly Workshops is that you get to experience what your participants experience when you first launch the new release. It’s a great way to ensure you can fine tune the bits that might be difficult to cue, to know which sections of choreography that might need more practice. Going regularly to quarterly workshops is one of the best ways to keep improving as an instructor and it also is a great way to pick up ideas or to ask questions from the trainers. If your not searching for more and asking questions, then you may not be improving upon your current teaching ability.

2. Watch the education session
If you can’t go to the Quarterly Workshop then it’s absolutely essential to watch the education session! If you do go to the Quarterly Workshop watch it anyway. Les Mills International continually does research and this is the way they pass on their research to us, any changes, updates in the field of fitness knowledge. It’s all too easy to keep on teaching what we’ve been teaching and let the latest and greatest information slip under our noses. It’s there, you’ve got it, use the information to allow you to give more to your classes.
3. Video your classes

Was the last time you ever videoed your class for your certification video? Most of the time we avoid videoing our classes because it tells us the things we don’t want to hear and shows us the things we don’t want to see. We feel dismayed and absolutely horrified at what we see so we get the certification video out the way and never ever video ourselves again. However, isn’t it much more embarrassing to leave those minor faults exposed for 10, 30, 70 people to see in our classes? Get the camera out and look at yourself objectively. We are always highly self critical by nature, but instead of being terrified by what you see instead use this tool to critique yourself ask yourself, how can I improve myself and become an ever more amazing instructor?

4. Regular assessments by a pro-instructor
After you’ve videoed yourself, you could get an objective assessment from a certified Pro-Instructor or Trainer. Pro-instructors cover assessing and feedback within their module and are taught how to give objective feedback. Get one to sit in on your class or show them your video and ask them to give you suggestions on what could be better. Or alternatively, do the Pro-instructor training yourself and get feedback direct from a Master Trainer.

5. Listen to feedback
Feedback comes in many forms. Sometimes it is good source of useful feedback and sometimes it’s from a negative participant that doesn’t give us much we can build on. Take in all forms of feedback and try not to be upset by it. Feedback gives us an indication if we are doing something wrong, or right. If you’re never getting any negative feedback or even getting no feedback at all, this could mean that you’re not attempting to step outside the square to be an amazing instructor. Don’t be afraid of negative feedback, because all excellent instructors get good and bad feedback alike. Sometimes just those things that make an instructor amazing are actually annoying to some other participant. Trying to take the middle road and please everyone will most like just land you as a “middle-of-the-road” instructor.

6. recognise your weaknesses
Listening does not involve opening your mouth. Instructors are by nature friendly, talkative, energetic, laugh lots, passionate, positive and good at projecting their voice right across a stadium. Fortunately that makes us great instructors. However most instructors also tend to be distinctly ‘I’ type personalities on the DISC profile, which means they struggle to take criticism and fear being unsuccessful. For this reason it can be difficult to take feedback either from a GFM or from members. Be aware that most people usually want to help you. Listen to everything that participants might want to share from comments like “the music was too loud” to “I can’t stand that track” (with your mouth closed remember). Be approachable and if you’ve got members coming up and chatting with you after class then that is one sign that you might be doing ok. It makes me cringe when I hear instructors say things like “I’m the instructor so I can do what I want!”

7. Remember the 5 key elements
Remember the 5 what? Oh, key elements….oh yeah, um, choreography, physical execution, communication, coaching, fitness magic.
Right.
Remember what it means?
It takes only 2 of the key elements to create a good class. Imagine if you are excellent at all FIVE?

8. Keep your qualifications up to date
Each country has different requirements for fitness qualifications. Some countries require participation in 3 out of 4 quarterly workshops. Other countries enforce stricter certification policies and yet others require formal fitness qualifications before being able to become a Les Mills instructor. Find out what the requirements are in your country and make sure you keep up to date. The more workshops and trainings you do, the more you can gain respect as a knowledgeable quality instructor. These trainings and workshops don’t necessarily turn a poor instructor in a great one, but they are there to improve the lowest common denominator.

9. Participate in other classes
Participating in instructors classes gives you the opportunity to focus 100% on just one of the Les Mills 5 key elements..........’technique’. Use other classes to forget about cueing, crc, coaching etc, to watch what you’re doing with your technique and make sure you’re not beginning to slack off while teaching. This single element can easily begin to slip while we’re busy focusing on the other elements of teaching and showing options to new members for example.

10. Work on your own fitness levels
You need to be fitter than your program. Seriously, to look authentic and get credibility as an instructor, you need to be able to do all the advanced options and be fit enough to do it all again after the class. This is hardest for new instructors who are trying to get from being an average participant to becoming an instructor. This is where shadowing in other instructors classes can help. But aside from just doing classes it is essential to cross train. Do weights in the gym, run on the treadmill (or outside), get a Personal Trainer or participate in a class you’re not used to. What training program you undertake really depends on the programs you teach, but the main point is to aim for a level higher than what you need for your class.
The next step....
If that’s not enough for you, then do further study and courses. Read, read, read magazines and books, ask questions, get personal training. More is never enough. You don’t HAVE to, but then you don’t HAVE to be an awesome instructor either. It’s your choice ;-)
“If nothing ever changes, then everything stays the same”

Mel (Pro-instructor)
Mel Huikeshoven is a Les Mills Pro-Instructor and teaches 5 of the Les Mills programs. Born in Soutch Australia she has lived around Adelaide all her life and is now currently living and working as an instructor in The Netherlands. She is also qualified as a Personal Trainer and Les Mills BODYTRAINER. Her passion for teaching Les Mills programs has brought her to participate in the Les Mills filmings twice and she also runs 2 websites dedicated to fitness as well as her own blog. These websites have brought in knowledge and information from instructors about real life issues world wide for the last 5 years.]]> Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:40:04 +0000 1f0e3dad99908345f7439f8ffabdffc4