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, edgy, kind, confident, deliberate, thoughtful, loud and more! When we unleash the rockstar within, a feeling of lightness and freedom follows.
WHY ARE INNER ROCKSTARS IMPORTANT IN GROUP FITNESS?
POUND® Rockout. Workout. was built on the belief that people who are given the permission to be their most authentic selves are happier, more confident, and consequently, more likely to believe in and stick to their health and fitness goals.
Being and believing in WHO we are allows us to acknowledge that we are worth the time and investment that is required for good health and self-care.
People turn to fitness for many different reasons: to enhance their self-image, to improve their health, to lose weight, to feel better about themselves, to build confidence, etc.
As group fitness instructors, we can promote these unique goals in a safe, non-judgmental space that we get to create. By encouraging self-expression and acceptance, the mood-boosting benefits of exercise are amplified. Inclusive, empowering spaces combined with stellar class instruction (programming, music, energy, etc.), shape addictive experiences that help keep classes filled week after week.
UNLEASHING INNER ROCKSTARS IN YOUR CLASSES
Dynamic Class Schedules
To help participants unleash the rockstar within, start by taking a look at your weekly and monthly class schedules:
Are the class offerings dynamic and unique or do they speak to a narrow array of interests? Are they all the same length or are there several different class durations?
By ensuring a wide variety of different classes (cardio, strength, flexibility, agility, dance, etc.) and class durations (20- and 30-minute express, 45- and 60-minute, etc.) you will attract participants with many different interests, experiences and goals.
When we are surrounded by different types of people sharing similar goals and interests, we are subconsciously inspired to show up authentically ourselves.
Hybrid classes (30-minutes of one format followed by 30-minutes of a second) are another great way to expose participants to new things! These classes reduce the risk of trying something new and not liking it because at least one half of class will for sure be something they love (the goal, of course, is that they’ll experience something new that they enjoy!).
In addition to hybrid classes, 15-minute demo classes can be used to introduce a new format before or after a regularly scheduled class.
Cross-Promotion
One of my favorite team-builders is to have different instructors teach 15-minute demos of their specific class at monthly in-services. This allows the team to experience each other’s energy and style and helps encourage instructors to start talking about each other's classes. The louder and more supportive the team is, the stronger and more energized the entire group fitness schedule is.
Not in charge of your facility’s in-services? Lead the way and set an example by attending your colleagues’ classes and then giving them a loud and proud shout-out on social media as well as in your own classes. At POUND®, we believe that what we put out there usually comes back to us tenfold. History has taught us to believe in the power of cross-promotion and pros supporting pros.
Promotions and Incentives
Promotions and incentives can be a great way to motivate participants to try something new. By doing this, they will meet new people, feel more connected, discover new strengths and interests, and ultimately get one step closer to unleashing that rockstar waiting to emerge!
‘Free Fitness Fridays’ (free classes after 3:00p on Fridays) exposes clients to new classes risk-free and can benefit your facility by driving attendance to those hard-to-fill Friday evening classes.
‘Fitness Bingo’ is a popular strategy where participants who complete a row of different classes (be sure the Bingo cards are created strategically) are entered to win a small prize (e.g., a water bottle, etc.) and those who black out the entire card are entered to win a large prize (e.g., a free month of classes, etc.).
Socialization
Instructors who commit to transitioning from a no-name to a first name basis create meaningful relationships with their class participants that not only inspire a loyal following, but also embolden their participants to show up week after week and work towards their goals.
Creating opportunities for socialization inside (e.g., partner drills, group exercises, team v. team competitions, etc.) and outside of class (e.g., going out after class on ‘Smoothie Saturdays’ to chat and catch up on each other’s lives) helps transform an experience that might otherwise feel isolated into a fun community event.
Socialization and community promote individuality because participants are being SEEN and accepted for who they are. Knowing that the instructor AND the class knows your name is one heck of an accountability tool and helps promote a genuine sense of belonging.
There are so many subtle yet amazing opportunities for instructors to encourage individuality and embrace authenticity in their group fitness classes. All it takes is a commitment to seek them out and then honor their importance week after week. When we show up as rockstars, we will ultimately inspire others to do the same. The very first step is simply unleashing the rockstar that exists within YOU!
ROCK ON!