Exercise is good for you. 
We all know this, yet some people never exercise, while others exercise too often!  Is there any such thing as too much exercise?  Is exercise the next phenomenon to become an addiction?

Our culture has become obsessed with addicts. They come in all shapes and sizes and everything from sex to drugs to chocolate can be the activity/substance of choice. We watch shows about dependent celebrities and family interventions. Many of us have friends and family who struggle with self destructive behaviors. What we need to ask ourselves, in addition to the above, is can we identify a participant in danger?

The answers to all these questions are not simple. It IS possible to exercise to extremes. It IS very “in vogue” to call someone exercise dependent. We are now learning the warning signs of participants in danger...
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Congratulations to Joy Grove and Five Points Washington for maximizing a quarterly re-launch opportunity. Sixty-five memberships, 300 new participants, and validation for group fitness as a profit center…if you are interested in any of these things, including the above referenced $8000 day, read on.

LMMW: What is your title with Five Points Washington? And how did you get started in group fitness?

Joy: I am the fitness manager. I’m over the personnel and programming for group exercise & Personal Training. I have a degree in Exercise Science. I certified in BodyPump 5 years ago. Now, I also teach BodyStep & BodyAttack.

LMMW: Tell me about your club, your clientele, and Washington, IL:

“I was hooked on Body Step while doing the very first track of my inaugural class.  I still remember singing along, probably much to the chagrin of nearby participants, sweating profusely, smiling, laughing with the creative finales, and in terms that my middle school students would use, really ‘crankin' dat thang!’”

Frances Smith from Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been taking fitness classes for 30 years.  She is a member of the Southwest YMCA and has fallen in love with BODYSTEP! It is a tribute to the system, programs, and instructors that this member has so enjoyed improving her fitness. Congratulations to all who teach at the Y in Milwaukee. Your hard work has been appreciated! [Read More]

Zen moments are possible in each Les Mills class, and in BodyFlow they are easier  to find. If BodyPump is the heart of Les Mills, then this beautiful class which combines tai chi, yoga, and Pilates is the soul.

If one is to truly deliver life changing experiences in every class, every time, everywhere, then developing excellent BodyFlow meditations is essential. After the tai chi warm-up, yoga vinyasas, pilates abs and backs, the conclusion of each BodyFlow program includes a well written ending accompanied by amazing music. In the script, Jackie Mills, the creator of BodyFlow, supplies words that one can (but is not required to) use. Each instructor is encouraged to personalize this section of class. There are many other resources one can use for this motivational, spiritual, and inspirational portion. There are a plentitude of sources out there.
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Les Mills devotees, world class fitness instructors, and life changing experience deliverers, stand and be recognized for the quality product you represent. Understanding the beauty of the programs, the brilliance of pre-choreography, and the benefits of inspirational instruction are only the beginning. Continuing to improve physical execution, cueing, and coaching are essential to ensure growth as a presenter. It is, however, just as important for LMI instructors to cross-certify as it is for participants and clients to cross train.

Instructors of programs like BodyPump and BodyVive have to be strong, fit, and motivating. Cueing, counting, whooping, hollering, entertaining, all while working up an intense sweat requires that physical execution and choreography knowledge are second nature. Additional training in personal training and/or strength coaching might be just the thing to take an instructor from above average to AMAZING! Authentic athleticism can positively impact your crowds and more knowledge is never a bad thing! [Read More]