Last week I was walking through the gym floor at one of the clubs where I teach group fitness classes. I heard someone yelling my name. I turned my head and there was a woman waving and jumping up and down. She ran over to me from across the room and said, “Do you remember me?” I was in your class years ago in San Francisco. You were the first person that helped me get started as a personal trainer!”

To be honest, I looked at her and for the life of me could not recognize her. Now before I started to doubt my memory, I remembered to give myself a little credit here…from the late 1990s to early 2000s, I had the opportunity to work with a fitness certification company, traveling the country teaching and presenting course material to new trainers looking to get certified. There must have been thousands of students I had met throughout those years.

Our conversation began with her telling me all she has accomplished within her personal training business. She had renewed all of her certifications she had received since then and added several more.  She also still reviews the notes and video supplements from the workshops I taught. I have to admit, it did make me feel good: I loved coaching and training future trainers. It was great to hear all of her accomplishments and the clients she has helped. That was one of the many reasons I loved teaching.

She finally asked what I was doing in the club. I told her with pride, “I teach group fitness classes here!” She looked at me with a blank stare.

“Really? Why are you doing that?” I think group fitness hurts more people than it helps. I tell my clients it is better to focus on your form and keep it safe than go crazy in a class. Why did you trade sides?”

 Thought to self, GULP! “Trade sides!!!??” Natania…deep breath…it would NOT be good to go all Brooklyn on her….

I smiled back and simply said, “I have actually found it to be just as beneficial for some people, if not better, in reaching their goals. It makes me happy and helps more of those around me.“

We said our goodbyes, but I had a feeling I was not her favorite instructor anymore (something I’ve learned not to take personally from teaching Group Fitness all over town).

I started my career in fitness as a personal trainer over 16 years ago. Proper form, technique and the science of my programming were some of the most important things to me when I first started training clients. I used to walk by Group Fitness studios and think, “What the ^*#% are they doing in there?!” I looked in the room and all I saw was bad form and injuries waiting to happen.

What I did not notice at the time was all the smiles on the faces of everyone in the room and the group of people that kept coming back each week for their exercise. As I continued to travel across the country for work, my classes on personal training education would consist primarily of trainers…but there were also times we would have group fitness instructors join in. And I have to tell you – the days when the GF instructors were present I never felt so much energy, passion and curiosity in the room. Not necessarily in regards to what was right or wrong, but on how they could take this information, break it down and make an experience for their participants. How they could make it safe, fun and have them coming back for more.

I believe group fitness had it on the mark all the time. We as trainers are all, just now, catching on.

I am not by any means suggesting that personal training is not fun or not extremely valuable in helping you reach your goals safely and effectively. I believe everyone should have a trainer and/or coach. But in the same vein, I am not saying that in group fitness classes, proper form and progression are not emphasized. In fact, I have worked with some coaches and instructors that have their students performing with better form in the studio than on the fitness floor. What I AM suggesting is that one should complement the other. I am suggesting that clients work with their personal trainers AS WELL as take group fitness classes and/or teams, exercise programs they enjoy.

One of the things I do with my clients the first time we meet is figure out what days we are going to train and what days they would like to take group classes. In this, I know my clients are going to get in an activity they need, in addition to the days we are together. I love this combination for my clients! My goal as their trainer is not to make them dependent on me, but to guide them through the journey by finding the exercise they like and learn how to keep it going life-long. If we have not trained together yet, I would love to meet with you to get you going on a program that helps you reach your goals while enjoying every step of the process!

I will continue to look positively toward the future, and to my friends I have met (and will meet) in the gym for inspiration, motivation, and the teamwork I hope is growing between all departments. If you have a gym membership at a health club or studio, check out the classes they offer. Some of my favorite classes are at Equinox and Ocean Spa & Fitness (plus I get to see you there)!  And if you don’t belong to a gym, I coach a group personal training class at Santa Monica beach…best of both worlds! The next one is starting up soon, so contact me if you would like to join in this round! The group is limited to 5 people.

The fitness industry is a small world – everyone knows each other. I like to think we are working more as a team than as separated departments. I believe we are, and are growing away from the belief that there is only one way to help clients get to their goals. Because the truth is – contrary to the beliefs of that former student – we’re all on the same side.