I was recently presented with a very spontaneous opportunity to teach a strength and conditioning class. My training focus has been kickboxing, with step as a secondary area. Strength is a modality I feel confident teaching, but I hadn’t been preparing for it. So I did what any hungry, goal-oriented person would do — I went for it.
Diane over at Retro Fitness invited me to try out today. I wasn’t entirely prepared, but I went for it. The gym isn’t open yet, so I auditioned in my dress pants, a t-shirt, and sneakers. I told Diane and Luis not to hold the dress pants against me, and they got a good laugh out of that.
I shared my current journey: where I’ve come from, where I’m at, and how I decided to pursue teaching even before reaching my target weight, making that a part of my journey. They were impressed with my progress.
I had all my gear with me, but I didn’t want to hold them up, and since the lockers weren’t ready yet, I only changed my top and put on sneakers. As mentioned, I kept my dress pants on. I demonstrated some strength exercises and stretches. Though I believe I was solid, I felt their reaction was polite but not overly excited. I’d consider what I showed basic at best. Strength training is strength training, and the part you really need to practice for a class is your queuing and motivating words as people push through. Believe it or not, I rehearse all that, talking to myself and my invisible class while practicing my routines. However, I hadn’t done that for strength before, and I think it showed.
Then I was invited to show them my forte. I switched from the Soca music I chose the evening before, and did I mention this was all last minute and completely improvised, and put on my techno kickboxing mix. Now I was in my element, and confidence instantly went up. I was no longer improvising. I was demonstrating what I have been practicing day in and day out for months, even before becoming certified. I started basic and easy, but I think they were getting bored. I noticed watches being checked. So I decided to jump into more advanced, challenging moves and striking combinations. That’s when I had their attention. When I demonstrated jumping jacks into side kicks, their eyes went wide, and they looked at each other nodding. At that point, I knew I had finally moved the needle. I was told, “The last five minutes of what you did were perfect.”
“And you did all that in dress pants!”
Afterward, I changed my top and shoes, spoke with them for a few minutes outside, and was offered the job. I will be teaching a combination of strength and cardio kickboxing. We are working on a name for the class, something that captures what will happen but doesn’t intimidate members. I’m part of that process and still thinking about it. I already have some training ideas and safety considerations coming together. We’re looking at whether we want weights present in a class where participants will be jumping and moving a lot. Unless we set up stations with people rotating, combining weights and jumping may not be the safest approach. It will depend on class size, and we’ll adjust as we go.
Interestingly, I wasn’t nervous in the way you might expect when doing something new. My nerves were as calm as they could be. I was very aware of what was happening though. I noticed when people checked their watches and when their attention drifted. It was just matter of fact, not nerve-racking. When that happened, I knew it was time to move on from that move or technique. Likewise, I could tell when they were intrigued, and I built on that.
It was a very fun experience. I’m excited and grateful to have the opportunity to begin my Group X Fitness career, especially at a brand-new gym location. That’s pretty great. I’ll be doing a 6am class twice a week, and though I’m not a morning person and don’t enjoy getting up that early, dues must be paid. You have to earn your right to teach in prime time. Like in any profession, you’ve got to earn your stripes. I’m extremely thankful they gave me a chance, and I’m going to make the most of it. People are going to work hard in my classroom!
Just under a year ago, I was significantly overweight at 275 pounds and out of shape. I made a commitment to change my life and took the necessary steps to do so. I’m nearly at my target now. Months later, while still on my own journey, I’m committing to helping others along theirs. Though it has required extra work and some financial investment, my journey is unfolding in a great direction, and I’m very happy with where things are headed.
Friends, if you have a goal, just go for it. You can do it, and don’t let anyone, including yourself, tell you otherwise.
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