POPULARITY
Fitness Career Mastery Podcast: Group Fitness | Personal Training | Studio & Gym Business
In this episode, we are diving into the role of the group fitness manager, which in almost 300 episodes is a topic that we haven't really touched on before... and yet it was one of the most vital - albeit mysterious - roles of any club or studio. We know that if you are a studio owner, you may be performing this role yourself. OR if you're looking to hire someone to fill this position, where do you even begin? As you'll quickly learn in this episode, there is no roadmap or playbook for a group fitness manager and the job can be dense and intense. But it's also really dynamic, exciting, and fulfilling and if you're a fitpro listening to our podcast you might be thinking, what opportunities lie in my future when I don't want to teach 10-15 classes a week anymore, where can my experience take my career in fitness. If you've ever had dreams of becoming a group fitness manager, as Shay once did, this episode is also for you. We break down what the role really entails, the qualities necessary to be successful, tips to stay organized, how to effectively communicate to stakeholders, and ultimately make a really complicated job, seem less complicated while avoiding burnout and feeling fulfilled in what can be an all-consuming role, Our guest, Staci Alden is committed to helping group fitness managers and club operators elevate their programs, instructors, and leadership. As an experienced consultant and strategic planner for both digital and in-person offerings, her clients range from large luxury health clubs and multi-family international companies to small studios. She has designed world-class studios on a tight budget, launched signature formats, and built turnkey solutions for enhancing systems, leaders, and talent. She is also an established presenter, writer, and YouTube influencer, regularly interviewing thought leaders and fitness professionals on her channel. https://www.youtube.com/c/StaciAlden https://stacialden.com/ Check Out Wellness Living using our link to receive 50% off the regular price of their professional membership for the lifetime of your subscription: https://fitnesscareermastery.com/wellnessliving
In this week's episode we sit down with Group Fitness Manager, Instructor and Personal Trainer, Kris Madsen! With over 25 years of experience in the health & fitness industry, she shares her process on how she successfully helps her clients transform their lifestyle, why she doesn't focus on the scales and how exercise is really just a small part of the bigger picture. Kris also shared a truly moving story that reminded us of the opportunity and responsibility we have when we are of service to other people. We love how down to earth Kris is and how enjoyable this conversation was!As always you can catch us on Instagram, Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts @TheHighFrequencyClub.For more content on health, self-development and lifestyle, check out www.RISE-WORKOUT.comMusic by Tubebackr- Eclipse, Trick or Treat- RYYZN
Wassim (Waz) Ashayer is a fitness professional and his achievements are extensive. Founder of pop up fitness business Raise LDN, Group Fitness Manager for global fitness brand Equinox, Trainer for leading on-demand fitness app FIIT, and a Brand Ambassador for Gymshark, to name but a few. Following on from a successful modelling career, fitness is now his driving passion. He believes fitness is about inclusiveness, creating an enjoyable, fun environment, and a community where exercise becomes part of a lifestyle. An experienced, business-minded man with an entrepreneurial spirit, 32 year-old Waz's boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm for what he does is reflected in his short and yet already highly successful career in the fitness industry.
This week, we welcome to the show, Angela Leigh! Angela is the ultimate teacher's teacher and leader's leader. Angela Leigh is passionate about all things wellness, especially movement, nutrition, and implementing lasting behavior change. Angela lives and breaths her passion - coaching - and prides herself on being a teacher's teacher. Angela thrives on coaching others to be leaders, achieve their visions, and accomplish their goals in both fitness and in life.Angela is an ACE and AFAA accredited personal trainer. She has certifications from Precision Nutrition L1 and L2 and a Behavior Change Specialist certification, as well as a certification with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, a 500-hour Yoga Certification, a 450-hour Pilates Certification and various fitness certifications including TRX, Kettlebell Concepts, ViPR, Animal Flow, Indo-Row and Schwinn Cycling.Angela created Stacked, a signature program for Equinox and many iterations of ETC. She has been featured as talent in many fitness productions, including her own DVD, Pure Body Blast. She is the former Program Manager of Pure Yoga, as well as Group Fitness Manager of multiple Equinox locations in the Southern California region.Recently, Angela was the Vice President of Content at Aaptiv, the #1 audio fitness app that has transformed the way people exercise and train through its audio-based workout classes and programs. She is now the Head of Content and Talent at TRX Training and was recruited to be a key leader in the inception, development and growth their new digital fitness platform, The TRX Training Club.Angela is based in Los Angeles, where she lives with her wacky French bulldog Lucy and thrives on a nourishing regimen of yoga, belly laughs, long conversations, and spontaneous dance parties.Follow Angela on social media @pureleighliving and on her website: https://www.pureleighliving.com/Also, look for her classes at club.trxtraining.com
In the two short years that Wassim (Waz) Ashayer (https://www.instagram.com/wazashayer/?hl=en (@wasashayer)) has officially worked in the fitness industry his achievements are extensive. Co-Founder of boutique fitness businesshttps://raiseldn.com/ ( Raise LDN,) Group Fitness Manager for global fitness brand Equinox, Trainer for leading on-demand fitness app FIIT, and a Brand Ambassador for Gymshark, to name but a few. Although a fully qualified Personal Trainer at just 17 years' old, his successful modelling career with Select Model Management took precedent in his earlier years. Choosing sobriety in August 2016, fitness has become his driving passion, preferring to work with group fitness rather than on a one-to-one basis. WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT -From partying hard in celebrity hospitality to going sober into the fitness world -Making the hard decision to change your life -The importance of having a mentor -Comparing on social media -Working on the internal conversation - Working and succeeding in group fitness -Dealing with criticism -Growing a street fitness business in lockdown -Movement as medicine for the body -Willpower, hard work and consistency for success 10% off Liforme yoga mats with code THEHUSLERS (we get commission) Code HonestlyUnbalanced30 gets 30% off any packages on thehuslers.com online yoga, meditation and sound platform.
How does the UK's biggest gym chain approach Group Fitness? What are the differences between low cost Group Fitness and the rest of the market? In this week's podcast, I’m talking to Dave Cross, Group Fitness Manager for Pure Gym, the UK's biggest gym chain. We talk about how they approach programming, being a low cost provider, what formats they focus on and how they empower their staff to teach Group Fitness. And finally, we touch on how they pivoted when lockdown hit - and I think Dave’s approach to this is up there with the best I’ve seen from anyone! This is the first time we’ve looked into the low-cost segment of the market, which makes up a HUGE portion of fitness. It’s a really interesting perspective, and, if you’re a very experienced Instructor, quite different to what you might be used to. Enjoy the episode!Links mentioned in this episode:Pure Gym WebsiteDave Cross’ Instagram and LinkedInWill’s Facebook, Instagram and Email AddressSH1FT Fitness Website
Group Fitness Manager and Personal Trainer Taylor joins the crew to discuss how her career in law changed to fitness and overcoming the barriers of virtual training.
Ever wonder how you are going to keep up with this ever-changing world and remain relevant in your industry? Evelyn, Tina and I share our fears, processes and tips to pull out of the downward spiral of complacency and remain relevant as we age. Evelyn Ortmann is a fitness educator, Les Mills National Presenter, Group Fitness Manager and former Muay Thai fighter. 50 years young, Evelyn is a wealth of knowledge and a beacon of inspiration to thousands of people around the nation. Follow Evelyn on IG: https://www.instagram.com/evelynortmann/ @evelynortmann REGISTER NOW for TRX Suspension Training Courses lead by Justin in October 2019: 10/12/2019 Maplewood, NJ: http://store.trxtraining.com/products/STC?sku=HPN-191012 10/27/2019 Manasquan, NJ: http://store.trxtraining.com/products/STC?sku=EWR-191027 Contact Tina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.m.jaehnert/ @t.m.jaehnert Contact Justin on Instagram and Twitter @pumptrainer Listen to Chase Your Better and Chase Your Better After Dark here: TJT Concepts: https://tjtconcepts.com/pages/chase-your-better-podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chase-your-better/id1459295987 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdcj4UWImoiGWpN4LvHnSJte4cHyrFm6l Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1edNgJDlXU6VTqJwwghVzo Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-tXlBRDWARIsAGYQAmc4bRcwfGlobaB1w8VOIG0z2Vs4BIDe4jyMuX7mGoPehGqEirzV3rEaAloGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&u=0#/ps/Ildpdebiy437xriujitpmtihc6u #ageism #stayrelevant #fear #faceyourfear #overcomeyourfear #learnsomethingnew #youngatheart #mentorship #findyourwhy #findyourpurpose #fitnessmotivation #complacency #selfcare #selflove #meditation #yoga #pilates #goldsgym #ggx #chaseyourbetter #lesmills #bodybalance #bodyflow #bodypump #groupfitness #groupfitnessmotivation
It Is Important to Honor People's Time About Today's Guest Keith Irace is the Vice President of Group Fitness at Equinox Fitness Clubs, where he has been a member of the team for nearly 16 years. An industry veteran who has held leadership positions and taught classes for over 25 years, he has been part of vibrant fitness communities in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. While a graduate student in his home town of Chicago, a part-time front desk job at a fitness club sparked a passion for the industry. After earning his BS in Communications from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and an MS from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Keith immediately became a full-time fitness professional. A move to Los Angeles led to a 7-year stint as a writer/producer/performer/group fitness instructor (everyone in LA is a multi-hyphenate) after which he returned to a full-time career in fitness with Equinox in 2003. Keith has been certified by ACE and AFAA along with specialty equipment training for ViPR, TRX, Kettlebells, CrossCore 180 and indoor cycling certifications from Schwinn, Stages, Spinning, and Reebok. He has completed the Equinox Pilates Mat certification and completed countless hours of continuing education at conferences and seminars. Keith currently resides in New York, where he is enjoying living in a high rise building, walking places and re-acquainting himself with the weather. Show Notes We begin by sharing how we both met many years ago when I took Keith’s cycle class in Los Angeles. Over two decades later I am still a regular in his class, although now it is in NYC. It was when Keith was in graduate school in Chicago, getting his masters in journalism that he got a part-time job at a fitness club in Chicago working behind the front desk. He would stand behind the front desk and watch the instructors and classes and that became his catalyst to move into the industry. As with many other guests we talk about the importance of finding a mentor and the fact that wherever you are in the industry, there's always someone ahead of you and always someone behind you. That knowledge cannot be owned and when we can ask for help and then later offer help, it becomes a circle of mentorship. We talk about Keith’s career and how over the course of sixteen years he moved from being an instructor, to Group Fitness Manager, Regional Manager and now as VP of Group Fitness. Keith shares that even as VP, he still teaches as it feeds his soul while also giving him time with members. Keith talks about the importance of listening, being present and at the same time honoring other people’s time. He goes on to talk about curating an experience from start to finish, versus simply teaching or coaching a class and the importance of being really thoughtful with everything that you do. Starting with something as simple as just being in the studio early and then anything that you can add that feels like it is a nice customer service touch that you can make as a curated experience of your own. He reminds us that we can learn something from everybody and there's always room for us as we grow and learn from those around us. We move on to talk about the importance of using social media to connect with your clients and students and the importance of being as authentic in your social media profile as you would be in your real life teaching. Keith shares his thoughts on how to succeed, especially when first starting out. He encourages us to find the best team and get on it, because you're going to accelerate your career by being around all the rest of the best people. People become successful together as groups and as teams. If you're not ready to do all of your own program design, find somebody who will give you a leaping off point so that you're doing something that's smart and real and authentic. He also reminds us to get feedback from as many people as we can. Further along in our career, Keith suggests we find a lane and go all in to that area. It may be content creation, it may be management or maybe you create a lane of your own. Keith suggests that we get incredibly good at one thing that will give you a stand out profile. Own your expertise and be an expert at that thing you want to be known for. This will always be a really powerful indicator of your success. Keith also reminds us about the importance of - right time, right place, right brand, right moments. Meaning that just because you may hear a “no” it may only be that the timing was not right. Do not let a short term “no” derail your long term “yes.” Keith shares the importance of self-examination and trusting your gut. To take the time and ask yourself, “what do I need? What do I want?” Along with that, as you move ahead, Keith talks about the importance of constant learning. When we are constantly a student it allows us to keep feeling fresh and full of ideas, inspired to wake up every day and just devote yourself to what you do. We close the conversation with Keith talking about the importance of managing time – your own and everyone else’s. To really manage your day with the discipline of saying, I am going to be on schedule and prepared. As a practice, honor your time, honor your schedule. Honor other people's schedules and it allows you to just be prepared for whatever may come your way. Right time, right place, right moment.
Chatting with Greggory Whitman, 6 Program Les Mills Instructor, former Group Fitness Manager and Lole Ambassador was so nice, we did it twice
Janine Boland is an ACE certified fitness instructor, master trainer, mind/body specialist and creative consultant, working in the health and wellness industry for 20+ years. She has worked as a Fitness Director for Norwegian Cruise Lines, the Group Fitness Manager at four different locations with the prestigious Equinox health clubs located in NYC, and landed her dream job as a Master Trainer for Reebok, shortly after. Although she has experience in teaching step, spin, high intensity interval training and more, her true loves of dance, barre and yoga always have an influence on her work. Janine has now developed and created the membership website, JBird Fitness, to help women all over the world to make movement a priority in their lives. The site offers quick & effective workout videos, fitness tips, a fitness community of like-minded women and one-on-one training with Janine, herself. She has made it her mission to get you moving, even when time is tight, life is crazy and you're being pulled in a hundred different directions. You can find Janine through a variety of ways: Instagram @JBirdFitness You Tube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZNahiCTzR-C1YEbQmjxDPA Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JanineBolandFitness/ Twitter @fitnessjbird Website - www.JBirdFitness.com
Host & fitness professional Diana Tyler is a certified personal trainer through the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas, as well as a Level 1 CrossFit and Olympic Lifting coach. She is also the author of two women's fitness books: Miss University: A Girl's Guide to Fitness, Beauty, and Confidence and Fit for Faith: A Christian Woman's Guide to Total Fitness (www.fit4faith.com). She and her husband own a CrossFit box in San Antonio, TX. On today's show, Diana will be chatting with fitness expert Marquette Falbo who is currently the Group Fitness Manager at Equinox Fitness in Dallas. The ladies will debunk the pervasive myth that lifting weights makes women "bulky" and masculine and will discuss why and how weight-lifting is so beneficial for women, especially if weight loss is a primary goal.