a group fitness program in session

How To Design Group Fitness Programs

So you are a group fitness instructor who wants to create your own group fitness programming? Great! It sounds like you are already headed in the right direction. You have a vision for the type of ...
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cardio kickboxer doing drills on a punching bag

A Breakdown of Cardio Kickboxing

What Is Cardio Kickboxing? Cardio Kickboxing is a martial art inspired group fitness format that is both heart-pumping and exhilarating. Using punches and kicks from disciplines such as karate, Muay ...
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a diverse group of smiling fitness trainers all posing for picture

The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Fitness

Fitness professionals lead the charge with coaching and mentoring individuals towards their goals and better their overall health. As leaders in our industry, instructors, and trainers have a ...
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Plant-Based Eating: Simple Strategies to Incorporate

Plant-based nutrition has been a topic of conversation stemming from exposure in the media and recent research in the world of documentaries. The general public, including ourselves and clients, is ...
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group fitness participants posing for camera

Group Fitness Teaching Tips During our Trying Times

Group fitness is surviving and even thriving through these trying times. Participants have found various personal reasons to keep attending classes or attend for the first time, whether virtually or ...
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Integrating Balance Training Into Group Exercise

While your group fitness students are enthusiastic about getting stronger and improving their endurance, they may not be aware that, in addition to focusing on strength, cardiovascular conditioning ...
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instructor hi-fiving group fitness class participants

How to Thrive as an Introverted Fitness Instructor

When you arrive at your next group fitness class and see your favorite instructor standing at the front of the room with a bright smile and inviting eyes, do you ever think to yourself, "I could ...
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yoga teacher doing pranayama

How Practicing Yoga Pranayama Can Help With Stress

There are various reasons why individual stress levels might be higher than usual in today’s climate. Not only are there unknowns surrounding the pandemic and its resolution, but many fitness ...
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a group fitness instructor teaching a class outside

How to Be a Good Fitness Instructor: Strategies for Your Success

So … you’ve finally made it! You’ve passed your test, and you are officially a Certified Group Fitness Instructor – CONGRATULATIONS! Now it’s time to figure out where you “fit in.” As we know, many ...
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group fitness instructor building muscle with kettlebell

How to Build Muscle With Group Fitness

So, you want to work on those Gains?! We like it! We support it, and we want to help!
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group fitness class participants being cued by instructor

Cueing Group Fitness: Inclusive Cues to Keep Participants Safe

No Group Fitness Instructor sets out with the intention of hurting or injuring participants. Most get into the profession to help and connect others to their fitness goals. But sometimes, we Group ...
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group fitness instructor leading a workout

Why Getting a Certification Will Make You a Better Fitness Instructor

Group exercise has gained popularity as more people find it fun and engaging. This is usually because of the group mentality. Participants challenge themselves more, work harder, and are committed to ...
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Overcoming Perfectionism

Tips From Angie - How Do We Overcome Perfectionism


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a group of four seniors doing pilates

How to Create Pilates Workouts for Seniors

Let’s talk about why Pilates is a workout that should even be considered for our senior population. Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. It was originally named ...
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relaxed woman doing mindfulness meditation

Navigating Fitness Re-Entry with Mindfulness

Many group fitness professionals are navigating the current unknowns of the COVID-19 virus and fitness center reopening. The following questions might sound familiar to those in the planning and ...
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7 Cool Down Exercises to do After a Group Fitness Class

Here you are, at the end of another amazing class. You have given your participants your heart and soul over the last 50 minutes and can see the results in their tired smiles and accomplished looks. ...
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Tips From Angie - What is perfectionism and how does it hold us back? Part 1

Part I- What is perfectionism and how does it hold us back? Do you feel like nothing you accomplish is good enough? Do you worry about making mistakes, or procrastinate on projects? If you answered ...
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woman lying on her back doing restorative yoga

Restorative Yoga: Finding Peace in a Stressful World

Originally appeared in the Spring 2020 Issue of American Fitness Magazine People tend to measure themselves and their goals against certain metrics, some of which may be arbitrary. It’s quite common ...
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teacher teaching a group fitness class

Adapting One-On-One Content to a Group Setting

This originally appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of American Fitness Magazine Personal trainers have so many great ideas to choose from when training their one-on-one clients, but you teach group ...
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a creative hiit group fitness class in session

How to Craft Creative HIIT Classes for Group Fitness

This article originally appeared in the 2020 Spring Issue of American Fitness Magazine. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) continues to be a staple in group fitness classes. A high-intensity ...
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Emotional Intelligence

Tips From Angie: Emotional Intelligence

Remember when emotional intelligence first started making headlines? Now more than ever emotional intelligence matters, especially for us as instructors. Being self-aware, socially aware, empathetic ...
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group fitness participants high fiving

Grow Your Group Fitness Business with Big Data


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Q&A With Lisa M. Germani: The Joys of Group Fitness

A Chat With Lisa Germani: How does she do it? Balance her work as a reporter and teach Group Fitness through AFAA?
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group fitness participants smiling

7 Tips for Self-Care While Teaching Virtual Group Fitness Classes

Teaching group fitness classes can be physically demanding on the body, especially if an instructor is teaching a high volume of classes weekly. Instructors need to keep their own physical self-care ...
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online yoga class in session

5 Reasons to Teach Yoga [2020 Guide]

In a world that's changing every day, from how we connect with our friends and neighbors to the ways we engage in our favorite fitness classes and activities, one thing that isn't changing is Yoga. ...
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Tips From Angie: Kettlebell Progressions for Group Fitness

This week, Angie takes you through two kettlebell sets, each with three progressions. The sets can be implemented into a variety of group fitness formats and adapted to meet the needs of your ...
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Indoor cycler learning from instructor

Indoor Cycling Form: A Complete Guide

Whether you are new to indoor cycling or a seasoned rider, having the proper form on the bike is essential. Not only does it ensure a more comfortable ride, but it also minimizes the risk of injury ...
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Online group fitness teacher demonstrating exercise for client

How to Run an Online Group Fitness Class [Guide]

Imagine you are a successful group fitness instructor. It has taken you many years to build up your skills, class numbers, and clientele. Suddenly, your successful group fitness practice was smashed ...
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4 Ideas to Improve Your Fitness Instructing During Social Distancing

Group fitness instructors are a driven cohort of social beings and helpers. Social distancing can feel like a significant loss. The once day-to-day connection with clients has been replaced with home ...
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Top 10 Tips for Remote Group Exercise Training

Online training comes with its own set of challenges. To make sure your clients and your online business are well taken care of - we recommend the following 10 tips.
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How to Successfully Record Fitness Videos in 7 Steps

There are critical first steps to consider when creating and recording a fitness video smoothly and effectively. Though much more can be discussed on how to use editing software and tools to add ...
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group fitness class

How to Modify Workouts Like a Pro

In a perfect world, every fitness facility could offer each class at multiple ability and intensity levels, or custom-tailored to each individual’s ailments and injuries. But in reality, group ...
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Pilates reformer

Pilates and Joint Replacement Recovery

What do tennis icon Billie Jean King and singer-songwriter Billy Joel have in common (Doyle, P. 2010; Johnson, P. K. 2012)? Both are among the 7.2 million Americans walking around with artificial ...
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Teaching Yoga Online

Teaching Online Yoga for Beginners: Tips for the Transition

Offering remote yoga classes has been an idea I have thought about for a while due to the value it could bring to my business. For instance, offering online courses could help me market and reach ...
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Online Group Fitness Classes

Social Distancing Can Be the New Social Connecting

“Social Distance Group Fitness” - sounds like a great class, right? Due to the changes in the world, group fitness instructors are struggling to use fitness to connect and inspire participants.
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How to Reset During Stress

Make the Most of Change and Hitting Reset

Do you struggle with change? Are you a person who likes to know what to expect and feels out of sorts when things don’t go as planned? Today, Angie talks about the benefit of being out of a routine, ...
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Group Fitness Audition

Audition-Ready! Experts' Secrets on How to Stand Out

Perhaps one of the most nerve-wracking aspects of being a group fitness instructor is the all-important audition. Demonstrating your suitability and skill as an instructor to a club owner or manager ...
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Indoor Cycling Inspiration

A Simple Meditation You Can Do at Home

With the current situation we find ourselves in, is it is a good time to talk about improving our own mental wellness, and in turn passing this along to our participants. There's value in respecting ...
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Group Fitness Instructors

Tips from A Tribe of Seasoned Instructors

Group Fitness Instructors have a unique skill set; they’re the masters of multitasking. They can effectively entertain, motivate, relate, count, smile, and point all at the same time while they have ...
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Man sitting on ground and looking at phone

Social Media and Body Image: #Fitspiration at Its Worst

As a nutrition expert, you have the privilege of helping your clients form a positive relationship with their diet. Food is fuel. But food is (seemingly) fattening. If you think you are too fat, the ...
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AFAA Yoga Instructor

Teaching a Candlelight Yoga Class in a Fitness Setting

There are essential factors to consider before scheduling and teaching a gentle candlelight yoga class in a fitness setting. One reason for this is that not all corporate and commercial fitness ...
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Group Fitness Class

What Are the AFAA 5 Questions™ and Why Do They Matter?

One of the most important responsibilities of the group exercise instructor is to perform the proper “standard of care” in our delivery of services (Herbert, 2010). In fact, using “pre-activity ...
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Woman doing core exercise with small stability ball

Challenging Core Exercises Using the Small Stability Ball

As fitness professionals and enthusiasts, we're always on a quest for new exercises to ignite our creativity. Small soft stability balls are a great addition to any group fitness class or workout. ...
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Find Your Superpower to Start Fresh in Group Fitness!

Are you new to teaching group fitness, new to a format, or new to a gym? Anytime we start something new we have to step out of our comfort zone and into the unknown. These transitions can make us ...
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12 Ideas for Promoting Your Fitness Classes on Social Media

With everything that social media has to offer, it's the perfect platform to build your brand as a fitness instructor and encourage people to join your classes. Here are 12 rapid-fire ideas for ...
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20 Tips to Keep Members in 2020

New Year, New Members It's that time of year when everyone sets goals to change their lives for the better. Among the goals set, we find fitness. This means the gym parking lots get full, the locker ...
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How to Find Your Niche as a Fitness Instructor

With the fitness industry getting more competitive all the time, you might have heard that finding a niche for yourself in group exercise puts you at an advantage. For example, it sets you apart from ...
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Motivational Interviewing- Help Members Master their Goals in the New Year!

It’s that time of year~ members are motivated to make change and we are eager to tell them what to do to accomplish their goals. But what if telling our members what to do isn’t the best way to ...
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group fitness class in session

Three Things Strong Instructors Never Do!

Strength can be defined in a lot of different ways, but when it comes to teaching fitness classes strength in character matters as much as physical strength. How we treat others and where we focus ...
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group cycling class

#1 Best Test to See if You're a Good Instructor!

How do you know if you’re a good instructor? Is it based on member feedback, if you have a great following, or how your director evaluates you? Even if you are an amazing instructor- and I’m sure you ...
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group fitness

Three Tips to Master the Art of Cueing

Have you ever taken a group fitness class from an instructor who has great choreography and a good personality, but they can’t cue? What might have been an amazing class can turn into a frustrating ...
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AFAA Certified Female Group Fitness Instructor Teaching Zumba Class On A Rooftop

How to Hire the Perfect Group Fitness Instructor

Whether you have multiple applicants for a single job opening or you are selecting individuals from within your fitness classes and encouraging them to get certified, you want to choose the perfect ...
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group fitness

Why Do Some People Hate Group Fitness Classes?

I know it’s hard to imagine, but some people don’t like group fitness classes. As much as we love the energy and connection of groups moving together for a common purpose, it can seem pretty scary to ...
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AFAA Yoga Instructor Teaching an Outdoor Class

Namaste in Group Fitness

Yoga is not for fitness instructors who can’t jump around anymore, and yoga isn’t all about being flexible, at least not how one might think. Here in the west, we’ve adopted one limb of the yoga ...
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Outdoor Group Fitness Class

How to Increase Your Skill Set as a Group Fitness Instructor

Would you consider yourself an 'expert' group fitness instructor? Before you answer that question, let's first take a look at how Wikipedia defines an expert: "someone who has a prolonged or intense ...
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 Woman Attending Group Fitness class lead by an AFAA Certified Instructor

4 Reasons Why You Should Get a Group Fitness Certification

Want to become a sought-after Group Fitness Instructor? Get a Group Fitness Instructor Certification! Here’s why… Stand Out from the Crowd If you are interested in teaching group fitness classes, ...
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Are You the Reason Your Members Are Mean?

Are You the Reason Your Members Are Mean?

Have you ever subbed for an instructor whose members didn’t show up, and the ones who did were less than kind and appreciative? As instructors, we cultivate our community of loyal followers, and how ...
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Group Fitness Class With Weights

Power of Connection: How to Retain Class Participants

We’ve all had a “Monday!” You know, the most dreadful of days, where nothing went your way? The clock turns to 5:00 PM and your boss gives you something that “has to get done today.” It’s now 6:47 PM ...
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Five Fears and Five Truths About Yoga

Five Fears and Five Truths About Yoga

Yoga, that place we go to bend, stretch, be one with our breath. It sounds so relaxing and inviting, so why is it so scary? The truth is, there are a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions about yoga, ...
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What Do We Do When We Get injured

What Do We Do When We Get Injured?

As fitness professionals, we often struggle to take our own advice, to slow down, listen to our body, and admit that we aren’t invincible. But injuries happen, even to us, and when we can’t do what ...
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Indoor Cycling Class Goals

Planning/Communicating Your Riding Goals in a Cycling Class

An indoor cycling class experience should be more than just pedaling on a stationary bike while listening to high energy music and getting in a great workout. Don’t get me wrong; these are big ...
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tips from angie

G.E.A.R. Indoor Cycling (AFAA) vs. T.H.E.M.

On your marks, get set, cycle! Indoor cycling is more popular today than it’s ever been. More gyms and clubs are offering classes centered around this thrilling workout - and people are enrolling in ...
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Indoor Cycling Class

G.E.A.R. Indoor Cycling Instructor Certification: Top 5 Questions

In case you haven’t heard, AFAA has launched an improved version of G.E.A.R. Indoor Cycling Instructor Certification. It’s one of the most robust and revolutionary indoor cycling programs on the ...
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tips from angie

Creative Core Moves with Small Balls

Are you looking for some new tools and a few new tips to use them? Today Angie shares three core moves using small, soft, stability balls. Small balls are light, versatile, and great for participants ...
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Group Fitness Rock Star

HOW TO UNLEASH ROCKSTARS IN YOUR GROUP FITNESS SCHEDULE

WHAT IS AN INNER ROCKSTAR? Everyone has an inner rockstar. It is who we are at our core. It is our truest expression (or expressions!) of self. Our inner rockstar can be any combination of bold, ...
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Group Fitness Classes

Are You A Fitness Director’s Worst Nightmare?

Do you get a lot of subs, overshare with the members, or have the diva syndrome? You know what it’s like when members behave badly, but what about you? Are you the instructor who contributes to the ...
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Group Fitness Classes

“Strategic Distraction” in Group Fitness Classes: A Difference Maker!

Being distracted is commonly regarded as something to avoid. Distractions during a presentation at work can quickly derail our train of thought and negate all our hard work and preparation. When a ...
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Outdoor Yoga Class

Outdoor Yoga Class Planning: 7 Key Considerations

Now that the weather is warmer, hosting outdoor yoga classes and events are in high swing for yoga instructors and studio business owners. Even corporate fitness professionals plan to incorporate ...
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Tips from Angie

Motivation Matters! 50 Phrases to Make Your Participants Want to Move!

Are you running out of clever ways to cue using the same words and phrases you’ve said countless times? Word economy is critical in cueing because less is more and timing is everything. That means ...
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How to Motivate and Inspire

How to Motivate and Inspire Group Fitness Class Participants

Having an authentic connection with your participants is absolutely essential when it comes to delivering a great group fitness class experience. So how do you do this? One way is through motivation ...
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Tips from Angie

We can lead, but can we listen? Why good listeners make great leaders!

Is there any better feeling than telling a story, knowing that the person you’re speaking to is authentically engaged? When people listen to what we have to say, we feel validated and understood. ...
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tips from angie

What Do You Do When It's More Serious Than Pre-Class Jitters?

The other week I filmed a video about nervous energy and all the ways we can use it to our advantage before we teach class. Nervous energy can inspire us to cultivate our skill set and deliver a ...
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tips from angie

How to Avoid Instructor Burnout

Are you getting burned out? Are you tired of teaching the same class and hearing yourself repeat the same cues? Are you craving inspiration, or dreaming about a vacation? This week, Angie talks to ...
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tips from angie

Summer Motivation: How to Keep Members Coming to Class

Have you ever had a member tell you they're going to be on vacation for a week and you don't see them for a few months? This week, Angie talks about exercise relapse and how to help your members ...
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Why Diversity Matters to Our Participants

Why Diversity Matters to Our Participants

Picture this: You’re headed into your first fitness class in a new studio space, excited for the workout that you’ve signed up, slightly nervous because you’re not quite sure what to expect...and as ...
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tips from angie

Kettlebell Combination – Part II

Kettlebells are dynamic and challenging and they train the whole body. They’re also choreography free, and that’s something a lot of participants appreciate. Last month, Angie shared a kettlebell ...
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tips from angie

Do you get nervous before you teach your fitness classes?

Whether you’re a novice or seasoned group fitness instructor, you’re not alone if you get nervous before you teach your fitness classes. Nervous energy can be a great motivator, and this week, Angie ...
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yoga

3 Truths to Help You Practice Yoga Consistently

As a fitness professional and yoga instructor for more than a decade, I have received tons of feedback from yoga practitioners. More often than I can count, I have heard students and members express ...
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tips from angie

How to Deal with a Disruptive Member

We’ve all been there. We’ve come to class prepared and eager to lead, only to discover that there’s that one person- the one who won’t stop talking to the people around them, who answers their cell ...
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tips from angie

Four Assumptions We Never Want to Make

Do you let that one negative person get in your head, or take responsibility for everyone getting a great workout? Sometimes as group fitness instructors, we make assumptions that get in the way of ...
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How to Use Instagram Stories to Boost Your Fitness Business

If you want to stay on top of the latest trends in social media for your fitness marketing, the Instagram Story platform is the place to be. Instagram first launched Stories in 2016; by January 2019, ...
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tips from angie

Kettlebell Combination for Group Fitness

Kettlebells are a great tool to use in small and large group fitness classes. You can use them in circuit or bootcamp style classes, or devote an entire class to kettlebell training. Grouping ...
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tips from angie

How to Sub like a Boss!

Subbing can be scary. When we step in to fill the shoes of someone who has already built a loyal community of followers, it’s not an easy task. But who says leadership is easy? Subbing takes us out ...
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tips from angie

How To Care For Yourself So You Can Care For Others

As instructors, we’re social, energetic people, and our bucket feels full when we’re helping others; but it’s no secret that if we fail to nurture our own needs, we risk burnout, stress, frustration, ...
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tips from angie

Part II - Are You Making These Mistakes? Six Ways to Spot a Bad Instructor!

As group fitness instructors, we know that mistakes are part of the job. The key is to recognize and learn from them so they don't become bad habits. The other week Angie shared three mistakes we ...
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pass the mic to a member?

Are you making these mistakes? Six Ways to Spot a Bad Instructor!

Instructors are like magicians. We can make unbelievable things happen, keep our audience captivated, and trick them into thinking it’s effortless, but we do make “mistakes." It’s part of the job and ...
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pass the mic to a member?

Body Language: It’s What You’re Not Saying That Matters Most

Group fitness instructors who are true leaders command presence. These leaders know that words matter, but more importantly, they understand that their body sends signals that speaks a language all ...
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pass the mic to a member?

What if we passed the mic to a member? Four lessons (we hope) they’d learn

Have you ever fantasized about handing the mic to someone in class to show them what it’s like to get a room full of people to do the same thing at the same time? Maybe you’d hand it to the member ...
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motivate members

How to Build Body Confidence

As group fitness instructors we're all about building body confidence in others, but what about us? Body confidence, in a body conscious industry, can be hard to hold on to. Even if we have it (most ...
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motivate members

Three Tips to Take Stress in Stride

How do you manage stress? Stress affects all of us, but what sets us apart is our ability to rise to the occasion. If we adopt critical coping techniques, we can learn to take stress in stride. This ...
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motivate members

Three Great Gifts to Give to Your Members

As group fitness instructors we have the opportunity to give gifts that don’t cost anything, but make a big impact on how others feel, especially during the holidays. Whether our members and fellow ...
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motivate members

Legs, Shoulders & Biceps – Oh My! Total Body Resistance Exercises

Today Angie shows you a movement series that you can implement into your strength training classes or other fusion formats. You’ll see how easy it is to layer exercises, and to make them more dynamic ...
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motivate members

Motivate Members to Make Positive Change- Focus on Solutions (Part II)

As the new year approaches so do new year’s resolutions and the challenge of change. This week, Angie shares three questions that can help members see change as something positive they’re striving ...
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motivate members

Motivate Members to Make Positive Change- Focus on Solutions

As the new year approaches so do new year’s resolutions and all the ways that our members want to make change. Change is much more motivating if we shift our focus from the problem (what’s not ...
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Stability Ball Exercises

Winning Warm Ups: Mental Strategies to Maximize Participant Performance

Quality effective warm ups physically prepare participants for what lies ahead. More importantly, they mentally empower them to make the most of the experience. This week, Angie shares mental ...
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Stability Ball Exercises

Ball Blast - Stability Ball Exercises for Group Fitness

Stability ball exercises are fun and challenging and they’re a great way to bring dynamic balance challenges and glute targeted exercises to group fitness participants. This week Angie shares ...
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Indoor Cycling Inspiration

Being a Group Fitness “Inclusivity Ambassador”

Perception is reality. We tend to believe what we tell ourselves. We all have insecurities. Even the people that you think are the most secure and successful, struggle with things you know nothing ...
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Indoor Cycling Inspiration

How to Increase Your Value as an Instructor

This week, Angie shares some ways that you can increase your value as an instructor. She can’t guarantee that these tips will put more money in your pocket by increasing your class pay, but they will ...
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Indoor Cycling Inspiration

How to Build Momentum, Boost Your Class Numbers and Grow Your Following

As group fitness instructors we know that the only way to keep our classes is to fill our classes! That means that we need strategies to build momentum and motivate them to come back for more. It ...
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Indoor Cycling Inspiration

Words Matter! Positive Cues to Coach Your Participants to the Next Level!

Words matter, and the words we use impact mindset of our participants. While our intentions are good, sometimes words meant to motivate and inspire can have the opposite effect, creating feelings of ...
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Indoor Cycling Inspiration

Partner Exercises

Are you looking for ways to build motivation and create better connection among participants? Two people can make one exercise twice as fun, and partner exercises are a great way to get participants ...
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Indoor Cycling Inspiration

Mistakes, Challenges and Embarrassing Moments as an Instructor

As group fitness instructors we teach potentially hundreds of participants every week, and that means that things can and will go wrong. Some obstacles are self-created, and some occur simply because ...
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Indoor Cycling Inspiration

The Power Of Group Fitness: Build a Love for Exercise with Group Ex

We all want to inspire others to exercise, but more importantly we want them to love the experience. This week Angie shares four pivotal reasons why exercising in groups is so powerful, and why it’s ...
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Indoor Cycling Inspiration

How to Use Your CEU's to Grow Your Mind And Your Business

As AFAA certified group fitness instructors we're always in pursuit of continuing education so that we can renew our certification every two years. This week, Angie shares four tips to help you ...
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Indoor Cycling Inspiration

Indoor Cycling Inspiration

What group exercise format gives you a great cardiovascular workout with no impact? Here at AFAA we love Indoor Cycling classes where instructors can call on their creativity and offer challenging ...
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Careers in Group Fitness: What’s Out There?

Careers in Group Fitness: What’s Out There?

If you’ve been teaching group fitness classes for a while and are poised to make your next career move, you might be wondering what path to take. Fortunately, there are many exciting opportunities ...
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Floor to Standing Transfer For Older Adults

The Art of Designing Choreography Part 2

Creating choreography is not as complex as it seems. In her last video, Angie showed you a simple method to design choreography and teach 32-count sequences. This week she shows you how to put ...
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Floor to Standing Transfer For Older Adults

Introducing Finesse Fitness

This week Angie talks to NASM and AFAA's latest pro fitness partners, Finesse Fitness. Finesse just launched their latest Kickstarter campaign and they share information about their products and how ...
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Floor to Standing Transfer For Older Adults

The Art Of Designing Choreography

Do you struggle to create choreography for your classes? This week, Angie teaches you a simple method to design choreography and teach 32 count sequences. Designing choreography that is safe, easy to ...
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Floor to Standing Transfer For Older Adults

Cardio Modifications

Dance, step, cardio kickboxing, and other cardio based classes are a great way to get our members moving, and modifications make all the difference when we teach these formats. Understanding how to ...
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Floor to Standing Transfer For Older Adults

The Exerciser Continuum

One of the greatest challenges that group fitness instructors face is teaching to exercisers of all ages and abilities. We are charged with the task of designing safe, effective programming that ...
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floor standing transfer

Floor to Standing Transfer For Older Adults

If you teach older adult fitness classes, you'll want to check out this week's video. Last week Angie shared tips on neuromotor training and how it can help older adults stay safe and maintain their ...
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Neuromotor Training for Older Adults

Neuromotor Training for Older Adults

Do you teach older adult fitness classes? If so, you know that motivation for exercise often changes as we age, with more emphasis on feeling better and living life independently. This week, Angie ...
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power of resilience

Summer Motivation

We just celebrated Memorial Day and that means summer is on its way! It's three months of pure bliss where we get to enjoy the sunshine, warm weather, beaches, and bathing suits. But it's also that ...
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group fitness class with 8 participants

The Power Of Resilience - Part 2

How flexible are you? Physical flexibility is important, but mental flexibility is what matters most when we're challenged by unexpected circumstances. Being flexible means that we can adapt to ...
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power of resilience

The Power Of Resilience

Are you resilient? Resilience is what we call upon when faced with big life changes and unexpected circumstances. Resilience helps us bounce back and move forward no matter what comes our way. May is ...
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Angie's One Favorite Move

Angie's One Favorite Move

Do you have a favorite exercise you love to teach in your group fitness classes? Sometimes we love our favorite exercise so much that we wonder if our members tire of doing it too many times. This ...
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Five ways to improve as an instructor

Five Ways To Improve As An Instructor

Do you ever wonder if participants have pet peeves about instructors? Last week we talked about difficult participant behavior, and this week we asked what they think about us. Check out Angie’s ...
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HOW TO KEEP CLASS PARTCIPANTS ENGAGED

How To Keep Class Participants Engaged

Have you ever had to deal with difficult participant behavior? Though participants don’t set out to create difficulty for others, when they text, talk, or even answer calls during class it can affect ...
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How Travel Can Transform Teaching

How Travel Can Transform Teaching

This week Angie joins us from New Zealand to show us that traveling and teaching have a lot in common. Check out her video for five travel lessons that have transformed her teaching and helped her to ...
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Successfully Starting Over

Three Tips For Instructor Self Care

As group fitness instructors, we put a lot of time into taking care of our participants. Sometimes we get so caught up in pleasing others that we put our personal needs aside. After awhile, it can be ...
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Successfully Starting Over

Successfully Starting Over

When we move, whether it’s across the country or to city nearby, we have to start fresh in group fitness. Being the new instructor comes with its challenges, but it’s a great testament to our skills ...
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HIIT These: Interval Training 5 Different Ways

HIIT These: Interval Training 5 Different Ways

Interval classes continue to be in high demand on group fitness schedules—and for good reason. The learning curve is low for participants, and prep time is minimal for instructors. However, teaching ...
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Constructive Criticism vs. Destructive Criticism

Should You Specialize?

Many fitness instructors are able to teach a wide range of classes on a group exercise schedule, but there’s also something to be said for specializing in just a select few—or even just one—fitness ...
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Constructive Criticism vs. Destructive Criticism

How to Attract More People to Your Classes

The more effort you put into making your fitness classes the best experience possible for participants, the more they will want to come back. But sometimes it's necessary to go the extra mile to get ...
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Constructive Criticism vs. Destructive Criticism

Playlist Do’s & Don'ts for Your Indoor Cycling Classes

Music is important in any group fitness class, but especially so in indoor cycling. A good indoor cycling playlist can elevate the workout from okay to amazing. With so much riding on the right ...
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Constructive Criticism vs. Destructive Criticism

Formula for Success in Group X

Whether you're just getting started as a group fitness instructor, or you’ve been leading group exercise classes for years, you’ll always find new opportunities to improve your teaching skills and ...
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Constructive Criticism vs. Destructive Criticism

Constructive Criticism vs. Destructive Criticism

We love when our participants appreciate our workouts and share their positive thoughts. As amazing as this feels, we also hear feedback in the form of criticism and that can be even more powerful. ...
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Help Class Participants Make the Most of Every Moment

Help Class Participants Make the Most of Every Moment

As global group fitness leaders, we can give our participants more than the gift of sweat. When we share mindset strategies and motivational messages, we create a positive climate in our classes. ...
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Yoga Poses for Popular Group Fitness Formats

Yoga for Popular Group Fitness Formats

This week Angie shares her secret to avoid burnout and stay inspired. By blending different disciplines, group fitness instructors can create dynamic classes that challenge their participants and ...
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When Did Group Fitness Stop Being About Customer Service?

When Did Group Fitness Stop Being About Customer Service?

There was a time when many group fitness instructors taught classes all day long, every day, to make a living. Because their livelihood depended on it, customer service was typically top of mind. Now ...
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A Healthy Snack for The Big Game

A Healthy Snack for The Big Game

Let the Fiesta Begin! Grind up a batch of this healthy and delicious dip, and enjoy it with your friends and family during the big game this weekend. This simple recipe calls for fresh ingredients ...
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Core Focused, Yoga Inspired Exercise

Core Focused, Yoga Inspired Exercise

Movement inspires movement, and sometimes it just takes one exercise to spark our creativity. This week, Angie Miller shares a core focused, yoga inspired exercise that challenges the mind and body. ...
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Event-Themed Classes in Group Fitness

Event-Themed Classes in Group Fitness

One way to stir up excitement, improve class attendance and promote a feeling of community in your gym’s group exercise department is to host event-themed classes. Here are three ideas for fun themes ...
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woman with yoga mat talking to friend

Tips to Tackle Names

Do you struggle to remember the names of your participants? It can be a real challenge when you teach multiple classes at more than one club. But we all know how amazing it feels when someone ...
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girl on computer filling out resume

Resume Tips for Group Exercise Instructors

A clear, concise and organized resume is an asset in any job search. In just a matter of seconds, a recruiter or employer can make a decision whether the candidate is a good fit for the organization ...
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201311_Fitness_Regular

A Perspective on High-Intensity Interval Training

As the popularity of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and high work rate-type resistance training, also referred to as metabolic resistance training continue to grow, is there an increasing ...
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What to Do When a Group Fitness Participant Can’t Get the Exercise Technique Down

How to Help a Group Fitness Participant Get Their Technique Right

If you’ve ever struggled to teach a class participant a particular exercise or combination that they just aren’t getting, you know how frustrating it can feel—for both of you. Your job as a fitness ...
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Music Licensing: Do I Need to be Worried About Music Copyrights?

You don’t need to worry, but you may need a license: It’s required any time popular music is played publicly (beyond family-and-friends situations), regardless of whether it’s music you’ve purchased ...
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Looking to Give Back While Also Expanding Your Training Impact? Maybe It’s Time to Consider Training for a Cause.

Looking to Give Back While Also Expanding Your Training Impact?

In addition to improving your clients’ fitness, have you looked for ways to use your expertise and services to benefit a cause? With a little planning and creativity you can help make a positive ...
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Fitness Pros Share Similar Questions About Client Motivation and Adherence

Recently, Lawrence Biscontini posted an open-call for group movement instructors, personal trainers and life coaches to share their questions on social media. Following are some of the posts and his ...
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6 Steps to Set Yourself Apart from the Fitness Pack

In a world full of eye-catching, flashy, and often times over-the-top fitness professionals, how does one break out of the pack to gain a following in order to make a living in the fitness field? ...
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How Your Voice Can Improve Your Success as a Fitness Instructor

As a former group exercise manager, I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate countless fitness instructors teaching classes. One thing that always stood out was the association between an instructor’s ...
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Dealing with Negative Feedback from Group Exercise Participants

Receiving positive feedback from group exercise participants about your performance as a fitness instructor can make your day! It feels great to be praised and confirms that you're on the right track ...
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Diabetes – Safe and Effective Exercise Programming

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that impairs the body’s ability to either produce or effectively use insulin, a key hormone for moving glucose from the bloodstream to the working muscles. Diabetes ...
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4 Strategies For Reaching Out to New Group Fitness Participants

The easy part of being a fitness instructor or group trainer is welcoming regular participants into class each week. They’re familiar to us, and each other. We see them often enough to know a bit ...
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Teaching a Fitness Class for the First Time

Teaching a Fitness Class for the First Time

Getting ready to teach a fitness class for the first time can feel nerve-wracking at best and terrifying at worst. Whether it’s a new-to-you format, a class at a new location or literally your first ...
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Music’s Exercise Influence

What tunes are powering your workout? From rap and hip-hop, to hard rock and dance, each genre has the potential to take you to that higher level, push you through the last rep, or get you to the ...
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Group Fitness: Substitute Teaching Do’s and Don’ts

Group Fitness: Substitute Teaching Do’s and Dont's

Have you ever said yes to subbing, then have second thoughts? Subbing can be scary, but it's a great opportunity to strengthen your leadership skills and build your reputation. The challenge of ...
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Group Fitness versus Group Personal Training- Are We Really So Different?

Group Fitness versus Group Personal Training - Are We Really So Different?

What Can We Learn From One Another? Group fitness has certainly evolved over the years. Thanks to changing trends in the industry, better education and certifications, along with more programming ...
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Fitness Instructors Wish These Embarrassing Moments Never Happened (but they did!)

Fitness Instructors Wish These Embarrassing Moments Never Happened!

Spraying spit on participants. Passing gas in yoga class. Speaking privately into a “hot” mic. Calling a student by the wrong name. Sooner or later, most group fitness instructors have an ...
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yoga instructor posing in front of a peaceful lake setting

Yoga Poses Deconstructed: A Master Class in Yoga Modifications

Hatha yoga is the branch of yoga that deals with the physical body, and its early practice focused on rigorous discipline. In hatha tradition, ASANAS (yoga postures) and PRANAYAMA (breathing ...
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Indoor cycling class

Power in Motion: Using Watts to Amp Up Indoor Cycling Drills

Originally published in the spring 2018 issue of American Fitness Magazine. We have all seen “those riders” who pedal super-fast on their indoor cycles with little or no resistance. They’re smiling, ...
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Strong by Zumba class in session

Get STRONG Group Exercise Classes with Zumba

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has rich potential for delivering results to our members. Indeed, the science-backed benefits of HIIT have propelled it into increasing numbers of ...
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