A day in the life of a tutor

A day in the life of a tutor..

I absolutely love teaching, I have learnt something new from every group I have taught. For 10 years, being in the studio all day, music on, sharing a passion with an excited team of budding new students, starting their journey in their new career choice.. I can't say it's always fun, sometimes very challenging and even emotional but I wouldn't change any part of my journey.

The only thing that I do find very common on my courses and really gets me analysing my teaching and the students, which as a tutor is an expression we should always encourage, to enhance everyone's search for knowledge, forgetting peer pressure, never being afraid of failure or highlighting lack of understanding to others.. "there's no such thing as a stupid question". 

I am consistently being asked silly questions every day on my courses. Sometimes relevant, sometimes not. 

These questions make me query my communication, the company's screening prior to course bookings and student's level of competence.  They divert us off topic, they add to the time pressures and can sometimes even make me blush.  But where would we be without them?  They create an atmosphere, they encourage exploration, creativity and if managed properly they add humour and a greater understanding of your students logic.  

I use these stupid questions to identify common ground with my students.  We are meant to encourage engagement.. Yes, check understanding.. Yes, be approachable.. Yes. But I must admit sometimes they can completely come out of the blue! I do laugh at my students (In a polite way) as these silly questions are one of the reasons why I love my work, why I feel challenged and can always smile at the end of a long day. 

Soon I will be a student again on a course, so I am going to fully embrace my inquisitive side, act naive and be a silly student. They are my favourite. Oh no sorry! Teachers don't have favourites! ;)

There's no such thing as a stupid question..

1. (Gym student) What do I write on the form next to where it says Learners name?

2. (Exercise To Music Course) 

Student: Can I film myself teaching a pretend class for my assessment? 

Me: A pretend class? 

Student: Well I don't have anyone to join in, so imagine a class and music 

Me: You want to teach an invisible dance class to pretend music?

Student: yes!

3. (Personal Training Course *Changed names)

Student: Kt 

Me:Yes Samuel

Student: I have a low cut vest from Space (Ibiza for all the non-ravers) Is there a rule as to how much nipple you can show when teaching? 

Kt: ummm..

I love my students..

Kt Horsley-Page (Tutor/Assessor/IQA)

Denise has sent in some of her tutoring stories too!  Her top 3:

1. A student learning CPR tried to put the dummies mask on her own face. 

2. A lovely moment. The last week of a PT  course the male students (who had originally complained about having a female tutor) spent an unusual amount of time in the men's changing area every break time. It was weird! On the last day they performed a song and dance routine for me. An out of tune and badly choreographed version of 'you've lost that loving feeling'. Priceless moment!!!

3. Beatitude and safety session. 

Tutor (me) ask the question ' what accidents are likely to happen in a session?'

Student answer - shooting?????

Why should we get active?

People are always trying to tell you what's best for you, what exercise to do, what to eat, the best kit needed.  There are a lot of guidelines you are meant to adopt to keep you physically active. Huge amounts of information about why you should do this and that.. But if I can give you one reason, for anyone who wants to start getting active, currently contemplating it or has been prescribed exercise due to health reasons. Ignoring the long lists of the dos and the don'ts..

The reason why everyone should get active is happiness. Activity brings about happiness to everyone who wants to get involved.

Ignoring the long terminology of the physiological and psychological benefits and the research based theory and scientific reasoning of what's changing internally which proves this is the case, quite simply everyone understands what happiness is and that a smile on someones face is a positive thing. And really, when you look at all the benefits I think this tops them all.

Whether you are happy with your personal growth, less stressed, happy with achieving your goals or grinning because you've lost that last bit of weight.   It always comes back to happiness. It always wins.

With so much going on around us, how involved or caught up we can get into our daily routines, searching for more, we forget to enjoy life and live in the moment. At more time than any, a bit more happiness in the world is definitely needed. Who doesn't want to be happy?

At AdLib Training, we want to share that journey with you.

So put on some comfortable clothes and stand up. We are sharing 30 ideas to get you moving this month. Some indoors, some outside, but none of the ideas involve that weighing monthly gym membership fee. Get involved, share some pictures online and show us your smile.

I promise you will notice the difference. It is infectious. Include family and friends.

Moving 150 minutes a week (that's 2 and half hours) equals a week of happiness. Forget the weight loss goals, set yourself a happiness target.

By Kt Horsley-Page (The care bear!! Haha )

Just qualified – Now what do I do?

I have recently moved to a new area. It has been an interesting reminder to experience what new instructors have to go through in order to gain a class.

At one time it was enough to teach aerobics, now you have to demonstrate what other skills you have. It helps if you teach a mixture of branded classes but at the same time have the ability to be able to design a programme various types of class as it gives you opportunity to cover a variety of classes.

Here are my top ten tips to get on the ladder:

1.     Be organised with your certificates. Save them on drop box to allow you to share your certificates instantly.

2.     Have your insurance certificate ready to share.

3.      Check to see if the centre requires REPS or CIMSPA membership.

4.     Have an audition class ready that is polished and can be taught in full or broken up for a short demonstration. Make sure it shows your skills but at the same time can be achieved by the participants.

5.     Have a realistic availability calendar available to share at the point of interview. If your availability is limited be honest. Clearly list the days and times you are available.

6.     Attend classes you will be covering. Check out the description if you cannot attend or speak to the regular instructor.

7.     If you are getting a permanent class agree the class description if you have not written it.

8.     Get to know the customer profile of the centre. It will give you an indication who is likely going to attend your class.

9.     Introduce yourself to the other instructors and attend team meetings. You will need their support at some time!

10.  Introduce yourself to the receptionists. If they like you they will promote your class. Be smiley whenever you walk past!

Good luck if you are starting out.  Enjoy your teaching career!

Denise Page is a Director for A-Lib Training

HITT and Inactive People

Visiting my local gym and travelling around the country I get depressed at the lack of understanding shown by many PTs and instructors when it comes to HITT. 

There is no doubt that HITT is..well a big hit! It's popularity is growing all the time and boy does it deliver results! The growth of HITT brands and it's flourishing (particularly within the boutique sector) and via brands like CrossFit and Insanity is to be greatly admired. 

However, beguiling as it is to think otherwise, HITT only appeals to a specific niche (within that small minority of the population who exercise regularly). For people who are less fit, new to exercise or who are contemplating participation, HITT and the acute effects of such training (as commonly delivered) is their worst nightmare. 

Sweating, panting and muscles screaming (not to mention delayed onset muscle soreness!) are fine for those of us used to this stuff but sudden exposure to a non exerciser feels dreadful and can put them off for life!

There is significant evidence that exposure to high intensity exercise leads to lower exercise adherence compared to moderate intensity. People like to feel they are achieving. If they feel overwhelmed or it hurts, self efficacy is undermined and they will simply drift away.

I watched bemused as a PT in my local gym put an overweight middle aged female through a "programme". Endless dumb bell walking lunges followed by press ups followed by some weird kettle bell snatches. I watched as her bright red face turned to despair, her technique visibly deteriorating as exhaustion set in, her body language saying "please don't do this to me..."

I have not seen her in the gym since. 

I spoke to a client at a health fair who was worried about the amount of weight he had put on. I asked if he did any physical activity. To my astonishment he said he had been doing HITT with a Personal Trainer for the past 10 months but hated it so much he had become depressed and had taken to comfort eating. He frequently missed sessions but had to pay anyway. When I asked him if he had told his PT how he felt he said "yes" but the PT's response was "I was there to work not mess around"! 

The great pity here is that I believe that HITT has a place for all exercisers if delivered with an appropriate understanding of exercise intensity relative to individual fitness. Simple manipulation of resistance, speed, duration and work/rest ratios can challenge all individuals at a level appropriate for them and give everyone a sense of achievement instead of pain and humiliating failure. There is no such thing as a High Intensity Exercise. All exercise is relative to the fitness and skill of the individual. Instructors with the  skill and the ability to modify exercises to meet the differing needs of individuals can deliver sessions whereby everyone can enjoy the fun and challenge of HITT.

Don't get me wrong...There are many trainers who do understand this and there are some people who love a good beasting! But in the context of Ad-Lib's mission to increase exercise participation and adherence by reaching out to and including non exercising populations, instructors should think twice before delivering the common "one size fits all" approach to HITT

By Robin Gargrave (Co-Director of Ad-Lib Training)

Can Fitness Instructors get the community physically active..

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