The Fitness Tip Jar ... continued

Why our proud profession settles to do charity work - and the consequences!

Most group fitness instructors get into teaching for the non-monetary benefits. True, a financial benefit is that you don't have to pay for a gym membership to work out. But there are some other advantages in teaching.

First is that most instructors really do enjoy teaching people about fitness and helping them succeed with their goals.

It could be said that some instructors teach because they are control freaks and they want to make sure they get their own workout the way they like it, and it could be said that some teach for pure egotistical reasons, enjoying the praise and adoration from their 'regulars'. But I won't say that, because those reasons certainly don't sound very professional, much less charitable.

In truth, most people teach for a blend of all those reasons, especially considering that financial reward has been eliminated as a viable reason to teach.

Most of us are realistic and know the importance of presenting a full schedule of classes, with a wide variety of options for members, and the financial burden that it presents to the club owner. We also know the difficulty that clubs face trying to convince our couch potato society that they could decrease their health risks by exercising regularly. And we know that adults, even some of our good friends, tend to put their personal health last on their list of priorities, so we'll do anything to help.

While it may not seem fair that sales people who sign members to a contract get a nice commission for a 30 minute sales pitch, that's okay because that new member - especially if it's one of our friends - may take our class and ultimately make us look good in the eyes of management.

Class numbers are seen as a real measure of our teaching capabilities, never mind the fact that you might be teaching the "Early Bird Gets the Worm" workout at 4:30 in the morning. You have to show some decent numbers no matter what time, or you risk losing the workout that best fits your personal schedule.

(Remember, we've already established that you have to have a real job to afford to teach, or you have a husband who makes enough to support your 'hobby' along with rest of your family - yes, some instructors still have the real job title of "mom".)

At times, popular instructors - especially those in prime time classes - have gotten up the nerve to ask for a raise, hoping management will be impressed by their numbers and value their skills such that they will pay anything to keep the instructor's devoted fans happy.

But hopes for financial reward are usually dashed, along with an "over-blown" ego, when management ultimately decides to have such a bold and demanding instructor walk the plank. Sure, there will be a mutiny on the bounty with lots of unhappy members, but the rough seas will eventually subside when the replacement finally figures out that you step up on counts one and two, not two and three.

Every instructor has seen it, and even though heads are not displayed next to the stage on a stake, they know the risks associated with demanding a raise and are afraid to be left adrift to find new classes to teach.

Long ago, the majority of us succumbed to the concept that management, in general, has no idea what it really takes to be a devoted group fitness professional that can find the top of the musical phrase. We know that we must accept anything that they are willing to give us that will allow us the privilege to teach, so that we can continue to do our charity work all in the name of good health.

The consequences of this settling for our lot in life to serve as charitable do-gooders are becoming increasingly evident as group fitness struggles to sustain a list of decent instructors who can teach a step class. (Have you tried to get a sub lately?)

Many have gone on to other aspects of fitness that offer more financial reward, like personal training, and some have moved on to the hot specialty programs which tend to pay more because potential members ask for them, having read testimony to their benefit in some magazine.

Not to take anything away from these new programs, because we know that fitness must diversify to meet member needs, but it usually means that we must consider spending more on another certification to be able to confidently teach these new programs. Or should we simply give up group and go into personal training? When contemplating options, you start to wonder, how many certifications can I realistically sustain - and still work my real job?

The Fitness Tip Jar - continued: Certifications, accredited or not... what does it all mean?

Fitness Tip Jar - Introduction
Fitness Tip Jar - What It Costs to be a Group Fitness Instructor
Fitness Tip Jar - Why We Settle to do Charity Work
Fitness Tip Jar - Certifications and Options
Fitness Tip Jar - The Solution?