Variety is the spice of fitness - new techniques in teaching aerobic exercises

Have you lost that gleam of excitement you used to get just standing in front of a class teaching? Perhaps you need to throw your teaching repertoire a curve.

Losing enthusiasm for teaching leads to poorly motivated participants. A bad example is set when the instructor is see hobbling unhappily out of the gym. Now and then something has to be done to spice things up. That something comes in the form of variety.

Step training arrived on the aerobics scene just in time, working muscles in a slightly different way. I was amazed at the positive difference this new class format made--both physically and mentally. I decided to take the concept further by adding variety everywhere.

Instead of always teaching set routines, I began freestyling in my classes. This allowed some cross training within the aerobics class setting. My clients loved the unexpected--never knowing what their workout would consist of. It was always new and refreshing. I added circuits, intervals and lots of props--anything for a safe and effective workout.

Thinking about the components of fitness, I focused on a different aspect in each class to achieve a positive change in body composition. One class would stress muscular strength, another for endurance. Flexibility work became a special treat to make clients feel great as well as improve their range of motion. For each class, I would develop a plan to work and stretch the body in a different way. As a result, my students made quicker fitness gains.

Not only can you change routines, but clientele as well. Try kids' fitness, corporate fitness, seniors and instructor training. Try working in different settings such as aqua aerobics or outdoor walking programs. This can do wonders for instructors' morale and in turn participants' satisfaction.

Also use variety by rotating music and dancewear. Doesn't it seem like you have a better wourkout when you're playing a new tape or wearing a hot new outfit or new shoes?

I feel much healthier these days, and my desire to teach aerobics has never been higher. After 12 years of instructing, that's saying a lot. Simply by cross-training, I can work at higher intensity and feel much better. Many people would be better off throwing a change into their workouts now and then.

So, before any more excellent aerobics instructors succumb to burnout, consider my advice. Toss in a little variety--it's the spice of fitness.

COPYRIGHT 1993 Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group