4 Lessons I Learned as a Group Fitness Instructor

Exercising in groups is beneficial

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I have always loved the fitness world and became certified as a group fitness instructor during college, where I taught group fitness classes. After graduation, I taught in gyms like Life Time Fitness, where I am still a member 20 years later! Even though I am not currently teaching group fitness, the lessons I learned as an instructor stay with me to this day.

As a young adult, I quickly realized that I could use my physical talents to teach others healthy lifestyle habits — regardless of their physical abilities, injuries, or physical disability identities. In college, I enjoyed seeing exercisers week to week and I especially enjoyed when our beloved, and now famous, Sister Jean joined in my step aerobics classes and aqua aerobics classes. I was a psychology major and knew I wanted to use physical activity paired with counseling to help people, I just was not sure what that would look like. Sister Jean’s commitment to her emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness inspired me to understand wellness across the lifespan and to gain a deeper understanding of people’s emotional experiences as they relate to health and happiness.

I took those lessons with me as I continued to teach fitness through the rest of my formal education. I taught fitness classes during study abroad on a ship for three months where I learned about international perspectives on personality development; when I was in my Master’s program learning how to provide interventions to athletes and working as a staff member in residential treatment; and during my doctoral training when I was a clinical supervisor, crisis counselor, and adjunct professor. I found that being in a gym, whether for my own workouts or as a fitness instructor, reduced my overall stress. As I look back and reflect on my fitness career, I want to continue looking forward by sharing my love of fitness with you as I identify the lessons I learned.

1. Exercise is medicine. It is well known that exercise can help prevent serious health conditions and can also help people recover from illnesses. In 2007, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) developed the Exercise is Medicine program to help fitness and medical professionals pair together as a way to help people enhance their overall health and wellness. Looking at exercise as a vital prescription can help people appreciate their dedication to fitness in a different way. Thinking of exercise as a way to combat stress, reduce disease, and keep our bodies strong is one way to change your mindset around developing and maintaining an exercise routine. Ask your physician for help setting exercise goals and also consult with a certified group fitness instructor or certified personal trainer.

Your physician can help you set exercise goals.

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2. Daily life application and benefits. Exercises can help you develop the strength to accomplish daily tasks (lifting up your children while supporting your back or bending down to pick up objects); the stamina to engage in unexpected activities (running to catch a bus, developing balance to help you catch yourself if you slip on ice); and the inner health to fight off colds or other mild ailments. Adopt exercises that will help you build balance and strength to allow you to accomplish daily life tasks

3. People thrive in groups. Group fitness classes help people develop a sense of community, share accomplishments, and gain confidence in their abilities. I noticed that some people in the gym were intimidated at the thought of figuring out weights and equipment on their own and they liked the opportunity to learn safe exercises led by an expert with other people around. I also noticed that, oftentimes, the same people would attend class at a certain time, and those people often developed friendships. Exercising in groups can create collaboration, motivation, and fun environments. This can encourage people to stick to their fitness goals. Take time to introduce yourself to the group fitness instructor and to other fitness participants.

4. Every body is different and able. Many people judge themselves when they begin fitness and wellness journeys. Some think they can’t develop the skills to exercise and others believe they won’t be able to keep up with fitness classes. The reality is, regardless of your skill level, there is a group fitness class for you. Instructors can provide exercisers with different challenge levels to help beginners and advanced participants enjoy the class. Additionally, people who have medical disabilities that impact their mobility, known as adaptive exercisers, can experience barriers to accessing equipment and classes. It’s good to know there are organizations, like Project Koru, that focus specifically on helping adaptive exercisers gain confidence when engaging in physical activities. Adaptive exercisers, like Gavin Gaertner, can lead exercisers of all abilities to achieve their best. Be appreciative of your body and how it carries you through each day.

I hope these tips help you think about fitness and how it fits into your everyday life. Fitness and wellness happen throughout our lives, not just an hour at a time in the gym. It happens in the daily choices we make, the self-perceptions we have throughout our lifespan, and in the connections we have with other people. Set your fitness and wellness goals in ways that help you feel motivated and inspired to weave wellness into several aspects of your life.