2. • There is no single class format is appropriate
for every type of group exercise class
• Different type of class required different
method approach
Instructing a GX Class
3. Basic Class Segments
• Warm-up
• Cardiorespiratory activity
• Muscular conditioning
• Flexibility & cool down
4. Pre-class Organization
• Safety 40:1
• Common points must be considered in the pre-
class preparation for any group class
– Instructor should know his or her participants & orient
new participants
– Create a positive atmosphere
– Begin class on time with equipment ready for use
5. Create a Positive Atmosphere
• Ways to create a positive atmosphere:
– Introduce yourself to participants & have them
introduce themselves to others in the class
– Wear attire & footwear that fit the population, and tell
participants about appropriate gear needed
– Explain the class format & review what participants
can expect
– Give positive motivational cues, smile, and be
energetic with body languages cues
7. 1 march = 1 count = 8 reps in a phrase
1 step touch = 2 counts = 4 reps in a phrase
1 grapevine = 4 counts = 2 reps in a phrase
1 ezy walk = 4 counts = 2 reps in a phrase
1 knee lift = 2 counts = 4 reps in a phrase
A BLOCK is like a musical paragraph
The block is the basic building unit
Provide a framework for creating choreography
1 beat = 1 count
phrase = 8 counts
1 block = 32 counts
Phrased Choreography
8. Listen to the music and try to understand when to start on the first
phrase of a block (always listen for the heavy beat)
There is a distinct change heard at the start of a block
A change in the music will signify the end of a block
A BRIDGE is a musical exception to the rule
The bridge occurs where any group of beats does not complete
Bridges provide that sudden musical surprise
Bridges can appear in any part of a song
Should pre choreography movements to handle the bridge
Phrased Choreography
9. Class / component Recommended range
Warm-up 130-138bpm
Low impact 136-148bpm
Mixed impact (HiLo) 145-165bpm
Muscle conditioning 70-132bpm
Interval work 145-165bpm
X-high intensity 165-185bpm
Relief 70-145bpm
Step 118-128bpm
Cool-down < 120bpm
Recommended Music Speed
10. Cool Down
Purposes:
– return the body towards a resting or pre-exercise state
– prevent pooling of the blood in the arms and leg
– enhances venous return
– reduce the potential post exercise hypotension and
dizziness
– facilitate the dissipation of body heat
– promote more rapid removal of lactic acid
– prevent the post exercise rise in plasma catecholamines
11. Cool Down Methods
• Slow moving rhythmical bodily movement
• Standing and/or lying, seated stretches
12. Teaching competently to music involves the
utilization of music maps to plan
Music mapping is the written breakdown of music
Knowing the landmarks of parts of a song
Music Mapping
13. Common Forms of Cueing
• Name of the exercise vocabulary
• Refers to direction of travel
• Countdown or preparatory stage
• Technical description
14.
15. Communication Skills
• Therefore, how the instructor give the participants
feedback is important
– Once you have observed improper technique, take some
action but make sure you are kind
– Find ways to make the class a positive experience for all
students
– Correcting & recommending alignment changes in a polite
& non-threatening way make the exercise experience more
comfortable for the participants
Cont…
16. Examples of Effective Communication
• Deliver general statements to the whole group:
– “stop for just a moment – look at your back foot to see
if your toe is facing straight ahead. The toe must be
straight ahead to stretch effectively.” or. “I see people
having difficulty – let me demonstrate what I want you
to do.”
17. Examples of Effective Communication
• Make corrections by moving the person into the proper
position
– During a wall stretch for the calves, give people
having difficulty the following instruction: “I would like
to turn your foot so it is straight. Is it OK? Can you feel
a difference in the stretch?”
18. Examples of effective communication
• Exercise next to the participants:
– stand beside the person having trouble and
demonstrate what you want him to do. Perhaps he
cannot quite see or hear you well enough to comply. A
person on the floor is more vulnerable than the
person standing, so you must get down on the same
level to instruct in a non-threatening way
19. Examples of Effective Communication
• Move around the room:
– If you stay at the front of the classes, only the people
in the front row will be able to observe your technique.
If teaching step, put several benches around the room
so you can move around during the aerobic segment.
Try teaching in the middle of the class instead of the
front or regularly move from the front to the back to
the side
20. Examples of Effective Communication
• Catch people doing right:
– Most people respond much better to positive rather
than negative reinforcement. If a participant is having
difficulty with a movement or series of movements,
point out someone performing well in class for her to
watch or pair them together. Always demonstrate and
instruct good alignment to keep a focus on correct
technique
21. Examples of Effective Communication
• Always appeal to a person’s need for safety & give your
rationale:
– Compare the following statements:
• “You must have your foot in this position” versus
“Place your foot in this position. It will prevent you
from falling forward, and will make this exercise
easier.”
• “don’t bounce while stretching, that’s the wrong
technique,” versus “if you bounce while stretching
you might pull or tear a muscle – I don’t want you
to get hurt. Try holding the stretch instead.”
22. Examples of Effective Communication
• Use positive descriptions, rather than labels:
– Words such as good, bad, right, & wrong are
emotionally loaded & judgmental
– Instead of saying, “Joe, you are doing this movement
wrong,” try, “Joe, you seem to be having trouble with
this movement, let’s try this… I think it will help.”
