Fun Instructors - What makes them fun?

see Mark's previous Archived Motivator Articles

If you have ever gone to a class and spent the entire hour looking at the clock and scheming early exit strategies, chances are you found yourself in the no-fun zone. As instructors, we are acutely aware that fun is the essential ingredient of any class. Where fun is present, students show up. Where fun is lacking, students avoid. Without students, none of us have a job!

Recently, AEA (The Aquatic Exercise Association) posted a survey on their website and nearly 1,000 instructors responded. One of the questions asked - What are the top three instructor traits that represent you as a role model to help students increase health and fitness levels? The number one response to this question: The ability to motivate students so exercise is FUN.

Clearly, the fun-factor appears to be the make or break issue for a successful class. Why do some classes have more cherry flavor than others? What makes an instructor fun? Here are some merry tips for a cheerful New Year!

YOU BETTER WORK!!!! No matter how charming, comedic, or engaging the instructor - when the workout is lame the fun goes south quickly. Sir Isaac Newton may have been a rather dull guy, but his law regarding inertia was right on the money: An object remains BORED unless acted on by force. Woe unto the instructor who fails to keep students moving in a chilly pool. Frosty students will ice any plans for merriment. If a student is challenged, moving, and working hard - FUN is an automatic by-product, eliminating the need for high-maintenance performance tactics.

CHOOSE YOUR ROLE CAREFULLY. Sometimes instructors are simply mismatched for the format they are teaching. An introverted person with a scholarly approach to instruction may not be an ideal fun-meister for a high-energy prime time evening slot. This type of person might achieve greater success with a different format or time slot. I have avoided mind/body formats because I am just not a mellow guy, and I fear my ability to deliver fun in a tranquil environment. At this point in my career, I am a good match for high-energy formats, but there are days when the lotus position seems awfully tempting!

THE GIG IS UP. New instructors are grateful for whatever classes come their way and they teach whatever is available. Seasoned instructors choose wisely - knowing that if they aren’t having fun, the students probably aren’t having fun either. Last year, I was certified to teach spinning in the water. Now mind you, I have been a land instructor for ten years and never had a desire to teach spinning. After teaching a few spinning classes in the water it became abundantly clear to me why I never taught spinning on land. Truthfully, I don’t have the remotest interest in bicycling. I would much rather drive! Unfortunately, my spinning students were REALLY into bicycling. Feeling creatively stifled on the bike, it was only a matter of time before I started doing mambos and sassy syncopated moves with the pedals. Naturally, this went over like a lead balloon in class. For joy to be present - I had to vacate this teaching spot so that someone else could provide the kind of fun these students were looking for.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE. Instructing too many classes with little or no variety is an excellent way to suck the fun out of teaching. At one point in my career, I was teaching 8 step classes a week. My ability to make each class unique and fun was severely compromised by boredom and chronic injury. My performance became rote and stale, and I began to resent the pressure to create. Eventually, I wised up and crossed into other land formats and ultimately aquatic fitness. Failing to learn my land lesson, I quickly accumulated 6 shallow aqua aerobic classes. Once again, the flames began to flicker. Ultimately, I cut back and expanded into deep water as well. Currently, I teach a variety of land & aquatic classes, including step, ball, shallow, deep, and equipment, and I’ve never felt more invigorated and blessed to teach.

IF IT’S FUN, THEY’LL KEEP COMING! The litmus test for a fun class is often based on smiles, whoops, applause, and glowing reviews. In reality, I have discovered that not everyone smiles, whoops, applauds, and gives glowing reviews. I have looked out into the pool and assumed that someone’s glum face was an indicator of utter misery, only to have that person come up afterwards and tell me how much fun they had. Go figure? Loyalty and faithful attendance is the best indicator of a fun class.

WHAT WAS FUN LAST YEAR, MAY NOT BE FUN THIS YEAR. Fun is progressive and whimsical in nature. Change is essential, but often comes at a price. Initiating new material can be scary and is sometimes met with resistance. When trying new moves – just remember that the test class is usually anything but fun! Don’t give up! Sometimes you have to sacrifice a class or two to accommodate a new learning curve. Trust me, I have foisted some real dogs on my students, but for every dog there was a gem that re-invented my class. An instructor who avoids teaching new routines for fear of offending will eventually numb with repetition. Never be afraid to make mistakes for the sake of change. Avoid apologizing for new material that fails in spectacular fashion. You do not owe them an apology for trying new things. Likewise, refrain from asking your students what they want or what they like. Students should not be expected to assist you in developing a fun lesson plan!

THE MIMIC EFFECT. Lighten up! A tense instructor creates tense students, a face that frowns reflects frowns - and before you know it the entire pool is infected with bad karma. If you smile and have fun, they will too. Poke fun at your self, and don’t be afraid to poke fun at your students! I taunt my seniors mercilessly. I have learned that seniors have the best sense of humor!

GREENER PASTURES. An instructor can rarely create fun when others factors conspire against it. A cold pool will quickly sap away glad tidings. A class that shares pool time with noisy events will struggle to be fun. An inadequate sound system, mean students, dirty locker rooms, noxious chemicals, crowded conditions, improper pool depth, insulting pay, and other problems, will ultimately undermine the fun factor in one way or another. Sometimes, fun instructors need to change venues to stay fun!

LET THE MUSIC PLAY! When I started teaching group fitness ten years ago, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. However, I went to great lengths searching for the most motivating music I could find. As a rookie instructor, I survived on charm and music alone - the moves and knowledge came much later. Never underestimate the power of AWESOME music!

STEALING FUN! Go to workshops. Fun instructors learn fun new things by going to workshops. More importantly, attending a workshop allows you to study the personality traits of highly effective instructors and what makes them fun. In the end, new moves have low mileage - but a fun new attitude and a borrowed approach can be priceless.

VITAMIN E. Takes lots of Vitamin E. High doses of Vitamin E have been proven to make instructors more fun!!

Vitamin E Ingredients

Energy – Mark’s Law of Energy – You get back what you give!

Excitement – Excited instructors teach excited students!

Enthusiasm – If you aren’t enthused by the material, they won’t be either!

Earnest – With purpose and effort, you make a difference!

Equanimity – Composure under tension. Things go wrong! Pretend they didn’t!

Ego – Leave it in the locker room. It’s not about you.

Empathy – Life is hard. The class you teach may be the highlight of someone’s week!

Enlighten – Teaching a class? I thought I was spreading health, joy, fitness, and love into the world!!!!!

Have Fun in 2005

Stay Fit and Motivated!
Mark