Tag: Cueing

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My Top 5 Tips for Cueing Group Fitness Exercises Effectively

Group X Instructor cueing group fitness exercises

One of the hardest parts of being a fitness instructor is cueing group fitness exercises effectively. Self-doubt always used to creep into my head as I explained technique. Am I talking too much or not enough? Are folks understanding what I’m saying? Are they even listening? It’s a delicate balance to find, and unfortunately, you won’t always get a lot of feedback from participants mid-activity. At first, it’s normal if cueing group fitness exercises sometimes feels like a shot in the dark whether it resonates with participants. But, I promise fitness instructor cues will come more naturally over time, and it’s definitely something you can learn to master.

Here are my tips to help you sound like a pro when cueing group fitness classes.

  1. Practice cueing group fitness exercises. ALL. THE. TIME.

The first time you ever use a cue, it usually comes out awkward and long-winded. Practice saying your cues often, so you can say them quickly and efficiently. You can practice this while you’re doing other stuff — taking a shower or driving in the car. Think about an exercise you want to do in your next class, and go through the cues you’ll use.

I strongly encourage you to practice saying your cues out loud. It makes such a difference to say it instead of think it. If you can, also practice your cues to the music you’re going to use. That way, you’ll get used to how much time you have to get through all the instruction you want.

It may feel silly, but it’ll save you from feeling uncomfortable in front of a class full of participants. Trust me, my boyfriend would walk in on me sitting on the couch with my headphones on saying, “Alright, ladies! Time for another hill!” He teased me about it for weeks, but my class went off without a hitch.

  1. Start from head to toe (or vice versa).

If you’re ever in doubt about what cues to share, think of the body like a checklist. Tick through the cue for each body part starting at the top and working your way down (or vice versa). For example, where should you be looking, at your feet or straight ahead? Is the neck in line with the spine? You can think of a cue to share for just about every body part. Even if some feel obvious, it’s nice to use as a reminder or clarification for the class.

  1. Scan the room, but don’t stare as you cue.

If you’ve ever taken a Group X class, you know that every cue the fitness instructor shares feels like it’s directed specifically at you. It’s mission critical that the instructor is scanning the room and sharing cues based on what participants are doing. Those cues are going to prevent injury and make sure everyone is getting a good workout. But, you don’t want to make anyone feel bad by staring at someone or pointing anyone out for doing the exercise wrong.

  1. Share both positive and negative feedback.

Sometimes we’re so busy sharing cues to correct form that we forget to acknowledge all of the good stuff our participants are doing. Have their push-ups gotten so much better in the past few weeks? Is their plank form on point? Tell them! It feels amazing to hear your Group X instructor tell you that you’re doing something well.

  1. Don’t be afraid of silence.

You don’t need to talk all the time, nor do you need to feel guilty about talking a lot. You’ll find your sweet spot between periods of silence and cueing. Especially in the warm-up and class intros, you can (and should!) talk a lot. The rest is up to you.

As you build your confidence in cueing group fitness exercises, you’ll be able to start having fun with it. Participants will come to your class each week because they like your personality. Start to personalize the cues you use and your style to really make your Group X classes your own.

For more cueing tips, check out the fitness motivation and cueing page.

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How to Sub a Group X Class Successfully

Fitness instructor subbing for a Group X class

As a participant, I’ve been to Group X classes where members would walk into the room, take one look at the substitute (sub) and spin 180 degrees right back out the door. Subbing for an exercise class can be scary — many members get irritated when the fitness instructor they’ve been looking forward to seeing all week is a no-show. And when you’re subbing a group fitness class, there’s an extra challenge to providing that stellar experience, since most of the participants aren’t as familiar with your fitness motivation and cueing style.

I’ve had my fair share of subbing mishaps (nothing too traumatic, thankfully), so I was stoked when the spin class I subbed last weekend went really well. It was the kind of class that had an electrifying buzz to it, with everyone in sync, working hard and feeling motivated. After the class, many folks thanked me for teaching, so I knew I wasn’t the only one feeling that spark.

This class got me thinking: what is it about that subbing experience that worked so well?

Here are three tips I pulled from this class to help you provide the best Group X experience when subbing for another fitness instructor.

Acknowledge That You’re a Sub

Sometimes it feels like participants will come into a class that has a sub feeling defensive or judgmental. I’ve found that by acknowledging you’re a sub, it sometimes helps to soften their attitudes a bit.

In the intro for the class, I’ll say:

“Lucy is out today. I know Lucy is awesome, I love taking her class, too. But, I appreciate you being nice to the sub and coming into this class with an open mind, ready to give it your all.”

Usually, that will get at least a few people smiling. I think this helps to remind participants that you’re human, too, and you’re trying your best to make sure everyone gets what they came for.

Keep It Simple

This seems like a no-brainer, but this is something I have trouble implementing sometimes. Some of the intervals I love to do in my weekly spin classes aren’t a good fit when subbing. In your weekly classes, participants are familiar with your style and most of your lesson plans, so adding one or two new, complex drills will be a welcome challenge. But, when you’re a sub, participants are seeing the entire class for the first time, so there’s a lot to learn.

Instead, keep the lesson plan and activities simple, so members can feel successful by the end. Feel free to offer uncomplicated options and progressions to make these drills more challenging for advanced athletes without losing the rest of the pack.

Play Good Group X Music

Subbing is a great opportunity to throw all of your favorite songs into one jam-packed playlist. Oh, your regulars are tired of hearing that new Justin Bieber song every week? When you sub, you can subject the members to every catchy song that you’ve overplayed in your own classes.

The music is also an easy way to win over the participants in the class you’re subbing. Add a bunch of crowd favorites to get them singing along and rocking to the beat.

While all of these tips are helpful when planning your next Group X class as a sub, it’s important to keep in mind that some things are out of your control. There could be low class attendance, angry participants or members that just aren’t a good fit with your teaching style. But with the above tips, you can minimize the risk for a bummer class and provide a good experience for the majority of attendees.

For more tips and tricks, check out the group exercise ideas page.