So you've taken group exercise classes for years, you've gone through training, and now you're ready to start tackle your first class!

But before you do...check out these tips that they may not have Been mentioned during your training.

10) Just because your class is quiet, that doesn’t mean that you should be.

We’ve all been there. The music is pumping, your muscles are working, and you are getting a great workout. You ask the class how they feel…and the silence follows. While this is not always the most encouraging moment, DON’T GIVE UP! As a group fitness instructor, I know that you are not quiet and shy, but your class might be! Remember that opposites attract, so keep your energy high. Also, they might not be as fit as you are (Yet!) They may be feeling the burn, but at a breathless moment of workout and unable to respond. Keep encouraging, and keep motivating them.

9) Use your eyes! No really....

Instructors eyes are always open and alert. They are constantly moving and scanning the entire room. You are looking for newcomers, checking for proper form, and doing anything and everything you can to prevent injury and create a great workout. Remember the look past the front row. Don’t ignore a person who has a scowl on their face. You don’t have to personally call a person out who is doing something wrong, but if you say the cue/correction to the entire class, most of the time, they will realise they are making the mistake and fix it.

8) Make fun of yourself.

Group exercise can be intimidating for some people – especially when they are new to fitness. Think about it – coming into a room full of people that you don’t know and attempting to blend in among the fitness freaks and fitness royalty (that’s you) in charge. The best way to break the ice is to tell an embarrassing story about yourself (FYI – microphones make an embarrassing story even funnier.) or to admit when you are struggling with an exercise. They are more likely to feel comfortable in your class if they know they have something to mock you for in the event that they mess up. I am a shocker for remembering choreography so my participants laugh when I am the one that messes it up. I then ALWAYS launch into my famous bum dance in retaliation for their laughter.

7) Train yourself to identify “newbies.”

Sure, in training, they tell you to arrive early, get the class set up, and be prepared to meet and greet faces as they come in. Those who are new should come up to you and introduce themselves and tell you it is their first time so you can be sure they have all of the information they need to participate in your class. Right. In Instructor Paradise, I’m sure they will. Nine times out of ten, this is not the case. It is your job to seek out people who look like they are new, introduce yourself, and help them. Repeat their name a few times as you are helping them so it will stick in your brain. Talk to them after the class, and get their feedback. New participants are a great way to get an honest opinion of how you are doing as an instructor.

6) The majority of your class would define themselves as competitive.

This is a great way to motivate and challenge your class. You can use competition in various forms in all of your classes! Divide your class into 2 sections, and have a 'dance off' towards the centre of the room. You can also go girls vs guys and much more! The possibilities are endless!

5) Have a class assistant (or two or three!)

As you teach, you will get to know the people who regularly attend your classes. Pull them aside, and ask if they would be willing to help newcomers in class. Most of the time, they will jump at the opportunity, since it makes them feel like an expert and gives them importance. (It also gives them a sense of ownership in your class, and they will continue to come!) As newbies arrive, pair them up with a willing veteran who can answer any one-on-one questions while you are instructing. This is also a great way to get your class participants to make friends and hold each other accountable to exercise!

4) Repeat after me: I am not Superman.

At least, not everyday! Some weeks, you will teach more than others, and you may get sore. Especially if you teach back-to-back days of classes, you may have to take one day lighter than the other. This is OKAY! Explain to your class why you are choosing a lighter workout for yourself, move on, and continue to motivate them to work their hardest. Remember – the members are always watching you. Some of them may even have their fitness goals set to look like you and copy your workout as closely as they can. Don’t model over-training for them. It’s just increasing their chance of injury.

3) Expect the unexpected.

In the 19 years I have been teaching dance/fitness, there have been some interesting moments. I’ve had a diabetic who forgot to eat breakfast almost faint during WarriorFusion. I’ve had a woman answer her mobile to find out that her daughter had been in a car accident. The fire alarm has gone off at the gym. I had the class all ready to go, went to plug in my iPod and realised it was still at home. You can’t always control what happens in your class, but you can control the way you handle it. Memorise this rule: If you put the members’ safety first, you will always make the right decision about what to do. (And on all of the above mentioned situations – I noticed she looked pale and had her sit down before she passed out, the daughter was not injured, the alarm was pulled by a teenager, and I admitted to being a bonehead, grabbed a random cd from my car outside the door and continued.)

2) Establish Rapport

Many group exercise participants enjoy the social aspects of the class. Instructors can maximise the classroom experience by arriving early and talking with the class members. Introduce people to each other and create a positive group environment. Maintain rapport by walking around the room during class and demonstrating the moves from all points in the room.

1) You have the best job in the entire world.

As you stand before your class participants, realise that you are getting paid to do the workout that they are paying to do! They may have been staring at a computer screen all day, chasing little kids around the house, or sitting in a classroom. It is your job to make sure that they get more fit and have fun along the way.

Love your job, own it, and be thankful.

An effective cool-down will help prevent injury and develop flexibility. Our cool-downs involve three components: recovery, flexibility and relaxation. ZenFusion focuses on self awareness and better mobility through 50 minutes of slow continuous movement in the elk of Tai Chi, dance and breath work. It is not yoga nor pilates. ZenFusion can be used as a great follow up class after a more vigorous workout.

Recovery

When intense exercise ends suddenly, excess blood may remains in the muscles with a less than ideal amount being pumped back to the heart, potentially causing nausea, dizziness or fainting. This can be prevented by continuing the movements at a reduced intensity level and speed, similar to your warm up. This can be decreased until the body has returned to its restful state, preventing cramps, muscle soreness and fatigue. This will then lead in to the flexibility phase.

Flexibility

Stretching is the key to flexibility. To keep muscles supple, they need to be elongated. This will lengthen muscle and connective tissue, increase relaxation by reducing muscle tension, aid in blood circulation and help prevent injury.

Employ both dynamic and static stretches, with a focus on the static stretches. Each of these should be held for between 10 and 30 seconds and move through all major muscle groups. With some muscles, it may help to rotate the limb as you stretch. Don’t put weight on the muscle being stretched, as the muscle needs to be relaxed to be stretched effectively.

Relaxation

End with some relaxation, both physical and emotional. Count slowly out loud as participants are still and contract and then relax each muscle. Have them listen to themselves breath deeply. Keep your own voice very relaxed.

Tips for cool downs

• Get the environment right. If you are able to dim the light a little, do so. Your music should be relaxing, however you may need to adjust its volume. Be conscious of your own voice and keep it lower and slower.
• Some people will try to leave during cool down. Encourage them not to.
• Use the cool-down time to educate your participants on the benefits of the various aspects of your cool down.
• As this is the end of the class, thank them during this time, and tell them how well they went. Let them know when the next class is, or about other classes their gym is running. This can assist your gyms with any 'red light classes'. These are the classes which are low performing and need to boost their numbers.