The Seven Deadly Sub Sins

One of the biggest challenges we face as group instructors is handling the often dreaded sub situation.

Here are some things to avoid in a sub situation - the 7 deadly sub "sins"!

1. Arriving Late

While you may be tempted to make a last minute entrance hoping to capture those who might flee at the sight of a sub, it's a better idea to arrive extra early and face the "wolves" at the door - literally!

Most of the time, it's your toughest customers who are waiting outside the door to get in and get their spot in the front of the room. You should meet and greet them head on, by introducing yourself, asking questions about the class and even try to get their names. Keep it relaxed, light and casual, and smile.

This upfront bold approach can actually help you during class. First, those who have no interest in trying out a sub's class will slink quietly off to the weight room. Yes, it can be bothersome that some won't give even you a chance, but having a trapped audience can be brutally worse.

 

Second, having the name of a potential pack leader allows you to address them by name if the need arises. If you find that several people are not doing what you are teaching and one of them happens to be a pack leader (as long as what they are doing is not dangerous), you can remark that they can choose to try your new option or follow Betty in the front row who is doing... whatever.

2. Resist the temptation to apologize.

Unless, of course, you have a really good reason. Maybe you were late for class due to a traffic accident - but do everthing possible to avoid an apologetic approach - especially for not being who they expected!

Novice instructors tend to apologize in their introductions and often throughout the class. While you may feel insecure and a need to confess your fear that you may not be living up to your participants expectations and standards, don't go there!

People who apologize may be feeling somewhat inadequate. It could be a subconcious attempt to lower participants' expectations and in doing so, you might be hoping to surprise and satisfy the participants by surpassing them.

BUT - no matter how bad you feel the need to apologize, no matter how much you mess up, don't apologize! If you do mess up, simply laugh it off with a comment like "I hate it when that happens" or "it's a good thing this isn't brain surgery or you'd be dead!". Don't lose control of the situation by saying "sorrrry".

Apologizing does lower expectations, but it may also prompt immediate judgements. Allow yourself mistakes. If you say you're sorry that you messed up or admit to them that you may not be as good as Jane, the fav instructor, you have set yourself up for the comparisions to begin.

3. Making judgmental or condescending remarks.

Some instructors feel a need to boost their credibility by making remarks about techniques or moves used by other instructors. The world of fitness is and should be diverse.

Subtle or not so subtle, direct or indirect implications that the way you teach is somehow superior to others is not the way to win friends and influence people. Nor does it boost your credibility.

Simply state what you do and why you do it, and let the participants be the judge.

4. Stating that if they don't like what you are doing, they can leave.

If you avoided mistake #1, you should have given most of the unwilling participants the opportunity to duck out. But some will give you a shot.

We've all been in the situation of dealing with someone who just decides they don't like what you're doing, don't want to follow or bother with learning anything new and they just start doing their own workout.

This is the "aerobic heckler"* that you're dealing with - someone who insists on doing what the regular instructor normally does when you are doing something completely different.

While it may be tempting to say "if you don't like what I am doing, you can leave" bite your tongue and focus on those that are interested in learning.

To remove the potential for this situation to occur, it's always a good idea to give them permission upfront to "modify" your workout to suit their comfort zone.

And then you just have to ignore them.

5. Teaching a completely different format than what the schedule indicates.

Students show up for classes for various reasons, one being that the type of workout is what they need for that day. Of course instructors and time slots are factors as well - but one factor has already changed, the instructor.

If students are expecting an interval cardio format, it's best not to teach a circuit. When you get called to sub, clarify with the instructor what their format is and prepare yourself to do your best version of that format. Don't think that you have to teach their class necessarily - it's better to teach what you know when you are nervous.

6. Trying to WOW the class with ALL your coolest stuff.

We all strive to do a great job and we do hope that participants will leave saying "that class was awesome!"

But keep in mind that your stuff might be new to them and no matter how quickly your regulars move along, if the class is mostly new to you or your stuff, you need to progress accordingly.

Participants want to be able to succeed and feel like they can get your moves. If you rush through combinations trying to put all your coolest moves together, you will end up frustrating even those that are the "quicker picker uppers".

7. Letting them see you sweat.

Well, of course, you will sweat, literally, but no matter how nervous or apprehensive you are about the situation, fake it 'til you make it!

Everyone get's butterflies when they are in a new situation with unknowns and potential for mistakes.

Take control and keep your head about you! While the class time slot may belong to someone else, you are the captain for the next hour.

Just smile and do your best!