25 Fitness Truths I've Learned After Teaching Exercise Classes for ...

Over the years I would teach everything from step to hi/lo aerobics, PiYo, Pilates mat, outdoor bootcamps, indoor bootcamps, strength classes, cycle classes, yoga classes, TRX classes, and hybrids of all of the things. But if you’re lucky enough to endure and pay attention along the way, at some point you get to be the wise one in the room who has some advice to pass down.Hi, it me.To mark my 25th year in the field, here are 25 fitness truths that I’ve learned. While most of these are things I’ve learned teaching in front of the class, I’ve also been an avid participant for just as many years. If you’re a participant, take note whether your teacher seems more concerned with getting in their own workout during class rather than how you or the rest of the class is responding to the programming.It can transform your class, the session, or someone’s experience, so put some (if not a lot of) effort into your selection. I never want to lose that intellectual or physical curiosity.You will learn SO much about teaching, cues, things you like and don’t like. If you are a strength and conditioning coach, I guarantee you that if you take a yoga or Pilates class, you will learn some really great cues for how to do some of the movements you coach. Likes do not equate to efficacy, followers do not inherently imply qualifications, trending posts are not necessarily demonstrating the best moves, fans do not necessarily convert to customers, and those with great wisdom don’t always know how to articulate it in a TikTok. Social serves its purpose, especially during a pandemic, but the “real” part of IRL still has no complete replacement.This is as much about the fundamentals of training as it is about the fundamentals of teaching. Thanks to social media, extreme moves (like a backflip off the wall into burpees over a box ending in one-arm push-ups off a cliff) get a lot of views, but they aren’t necessarily going to help someone learn how to move their body well throughout all phases of life. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.Discover new workout ideas, healthy-eating recipes, makeup looks, skin-care advice, the best beauty products and tips, trends, and more from SELF.More from SelfContact© 2021 Condé Nast.