Personal Goal -Teach Fitness Classes (Need Advice)

[denisha1]

Hello .....

Ok, to make a long story short. It has always been my personal goal to teach group fitness classes. I just finished school so I have more time. I was thinking hmmmm...I will work out the next 5mos to get my body in boom boom pow shape so I will be ready to start taking the exams etc..in Jan.

Well...come to find out there is a group certification course in my area Sept11that I just found out about this week. They are having some type of special going on so I am saving $200 by attending this one vs another one later which is great.

This is earlier than I anticipated and my body is not in the shape I want it to be in. I am trying to stay encouraged and use this time to really focus work hard etc.. Its more so a confidence thing I think because I am not in the shape I want to be but could not pass up the deal for this certification plus its in my City. I will have to do specific certifications to teach certain classes when I am done so I know I will have time to lean down some more before I get in front of a group teaching the class although there is a portion I have to teach during certification but its only 2minutes (gulp).

I have about a 1 1/2 I am trying to focus on 30-45min of weights in am before (dvd kind of thing). Then after work HITT training. I am really watching what I eat reducing my carbs in the latter part of the day. I am just trying to maximize what I can do in this short amount of time before the test.

Any advice would be great!

 

[KrisS]

Hey Girl,
First of all congradulations on wanting to help others and teach group fitness. Nothing is more rewarding for me and fun than teaching. My second response is......Don't worry about what you look like!!! Instructors come in all shapes and sizes and all the participants care about it a safe, fun, butt kicking workout. If you feel like you need to lose weight it will happen with all the practicing your class choreography, and healthy eating on top of your regular workouts you have planned. I teach a ton of classes and on the days I teach more then one I bump up my starchy carbs so please don't cut them out!! Remember the class is about the participants and not how you look so don't worry!! I'm sure your totally beautiful. Good luck with everything and if you need any more advice let me know. What certification are you going for??

Kristin

 

[NRG Woman]

Which certification company is coming to your area on Sept 11 to teach the certification course? I am an instructor for one of the companies and could actually be the person teaching your certification class

About the weight thing, I wouldn't worry about it. Because of some medical issues I am quite overweight. That does not mean I am a bad instructor, it just means I am overweight. In fact in most classes at least one person comes up to me and says something on the order that they are so glad "that I am not skinny like the other instructors". The first time someone said that it really stung, but I realized what they were telling me was that I was a role model to them that you could be fit and strong at any size. Do not let your worry over your body deter you from becoming an instructor.

Shayne

 

[starlessixisky]

You definitely don't need to be in top physical condition to be a group ex instructor! It doesn't matter what you look like as long as you can put together a great class that people keep coming back for.
Definitely sign up for the training in Sept, you won't regret it! and don't worry about the whole demo teaching part of it either, it's a lot less nerve wracking than you think since everyone else has to do it too!

 

[Stebby]

Go for it, denisha1! I was in the same position when I was 23, wondering if I should train to be a fitness instructor and do it even though I was overweight. Well, I went ahead, and I ended up teaching fitness (hi-lo aerobics, step, yoga) for the next 23 years, from 1984 to 2007! I gave it up temporarily at 46 because between my full-time job and my daughter's sports interests, I no longer had the time, but I am so glad I made the decision to do it. Through the years I've had some periods where I was quite fit and lean, and others where I was somewhat overweight again, but the appearance of my body didn't affect the quality of my classes and my participants saw me as a role model. Teaching group fitness was the single biggest and best thing I have ever done for my self confidence and it has helped me in so many other areas of my life. I will go back to it at some point - may not be until I retire, but when my life allows, I will do it.

I should add - I have been to lots of fitness conferences and conventions over the years (and I still go so I can maintain my certifications) - and there is a huge variety of body types. I would go as far as to say that the stereotype of the young, thin, lean fitness instructor is not the majority at all. Really, every age and body type is represented.

Good luck!

Stebby