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Feel like being a Group Fitness Instructor is a lot tougher than it used to be? You’re not alone! From being thrown into virtual classes to seeing ‘fitness models’ everywhere and watching the rise of the boutique studio, it’s easy to see why you might feel overwhelmed and struggling to find your place as an Instructor. But we’re here to help. Host Will Brereton has worked in Group Fitness for over 20 years as an International Presenter for Les Mills and Beachbody and now runs his own Group Fitness brand SH1FT Fitness. He’s seen it all and he’s ready to get REAL about what it’s like to be a Group Fitness Instructor in 2022. Join Will and as he interviews some of the biggest names in Group Fitness about the topics that others shy away from. Each episode will provide you with tips, advice, stories, inspiration and a lot of real talk to help you not only survive, but thrive in the world of Group Fitness in 2022 and beyond.
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Remember when digital fitness was going to take over the world? Fast forward five years, and the reality looks quite different. Today on the podcast, Will Brereton analyzes why digital fitness platforms are struggling while live group classes are booming, examines the surprising shift in consumer preferences, and provides actionable strategies for fitness professionals to position themselves for success in this evolving landscape! Plus don't forget to download your Group Fitness Triple Threat...
Wearable tech is everywhere. Smart watches, heart rate monitors, fitness trackers – people are tracking everything from steps to calories to sleep. And if you're teaching group fitness, your participants are bringing that data into your class. Today on the podcast, Will Brereton explores how wearables are shaping group fitness, examines what metrics actually matter to your members, and provides practical strategies for using this technology to improve motivation and engagement without getting...
Weight loss drugs are everywhere. Major fitness brands are now integrating GLP-1 weight loss protocols into their services. You've probably already had some clients ask you about them. Does this mean fitness professionals are out of a job? Far from it. Today on the podcast, Will Brereton explores how GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are reshaping the fitness industry, explains the science behind muscle loss with these drugs, and provides a clear framework for instru...
Pilates is everywhere. On social media, in high end studios, and dominating ClassPass bookings. But, has it peaked? And if so, what's next for low impact fitness? Today on the podcast, Will Brereton breaks down where low impact fitness is heading next and why the smartest instructors are already adapting their approach. Learn how the low impact landscape is evolving beyond traditional Pilates and what this means for your teaching career in 2025. Plus don't forget to download your Group Fitnes...
Strength training isn't just trending—it's DOMINATING the fitness landscape in 2025. The American College of Sports Medicine now ranks traditional strength training as the #1 fitness modality, but what does this mean for group fitness instructors? Today on the podcast, Will Brereton breaks down the massive shift toward strength training across all demographics, explains why this trend is fundamentally different from past fitness fads, and provides practical strategies for incorporating streng...
Les Mills is pivoting away from pre choreographed exercise to music, or ETM, formats in a major way. Now this is a huge shift for instructors who rely on these programs. So, what does it mean for you? Is exercise to music dying? And, how should you adapt? Today on the podcast, Will Brereton analyzes Les Mills' shift away from ETM formats, examines the data behind this major change, and provides concrete action steps for instructors to adapt their teaching approach and future-proof their caree...
2025 is one of the biggest shakeups we've seen in the Group Fitness industry in a long time. If you're an instructor and you're still teaching the way you did five years ago, you're falling behind. If you're waiting for someone to just give you a raise or increase your instructor pay... I'm sorry to say it's not happening. But if you're ready to adapt, pivot, and get ahead of the trends, then you're in the right place. We've created a brand new podcast series: “The gro...
We ALL live in hope that 2024 will be the year that instructor pay improves. But… this podcast is called group fitness Real Talk, and the real talk is that any big shifts - not matter how well deserved - don’t seem very likely. So how exactly can you make more money as an Instructor in 2024? I think you need to get smart in how you use your time and how you seek opportunities. And this is the subject that I’ll be discussing in this epsiode with Rosanna Tucker from CoverMe. ...
As a GX Instructor, you’ve undoubtedly had pre and postnatal people in your classes. This is why it's important to have a solid foundational knowledge in how to provide these members with a safe and effective workout. In this episode, Will speaks to Danielle Spangler, an industry expert on pre and postnatal fitness. Danielle has written many articles for fitness journals and education outlets about this very topic. Not only is she a GX Instructor herself, but she also owns a studio, ...
Today on the podcast, I'm talking with Rachel Holmes about all the things Instructors NEED to know about showing up on social media in 2023. Rachel is both a fixture in the UK fitness circuit and also smashing it on social media right now, so I really wanted to pick her brain and get her top tips for GX Instructors. Rachel is a seasoned fitness professional who transitioned from being a BMX champion (yes, you read that right) to a fitness Instructor, and is now teaching fitness professionals ...
Today on the podcast, I'm back with repeat guest, Kelly Coulter. Last time, Kelly came on to talk about the three biggest business building mistakes that Instructors make when they start out teaching online. If you haven’t heard that episode yet, be sure to give it a listen (you can find that here)! Now for this episode, we're talking about something a little different. Most Group Fitness Instructors are GREAT at understanding how to create a class, deliver it, and cultivate community. But ma...
This is one of those episodes where we’re going to keep it REAL and hit you right up front. We think that a lot of Instructors listening to this podcast have entirely the wrong idea about rights-included music. We get it! You like to use the music that you hear on the radio in your classes. But we are living in a digital age where record companies and production houses are going to make it more and more difficult for you to use that original artist music in your classes, particularly on...
Programming real strength development training in a group fitness setting has always been a challenge. But if you can do it well, it can be the biggest opportunity for you as a group fitness instructor to attract a broad audience of people to your classes. The question is, how exactly do you achieve effective strength development when you're dealing with the constraints of the group in the setting? And why is the strength development audience so attractive? In today's podcast, we're goi...
Here at SH1FT Fitness, we like to make sure we are giving our instructors what they want in terms of education, product, as well as the topics they want to hear about on this podcast. We recently conducted a global instructor survey and were really stunned by the number of instructors who wanted to hear more about menopause, hormones, and their impact on both class members and instructors. Well, you asked and we’re answering! Today on the podcast, I'm chatting with friend and colleague, Trac...
You may have noticed I took a break from the podcast over the summer to recharge - but I'm back and super excited for the shows we are bringing your way for the rest of 2022. Today's guest, Jayne Nicholls, is a fixture of the UK fitness industry, an International Fitness Presenter and the creator of Freestyle Fitness Yoga which is the UK's leading contemporary yoga program designed specifically for qualified fitness instructors. Jayne is the perfect guest for us to jump back in wi...
Here today on the podcast is a cycling expert who you may recognise from our R1DE format, Sarah Stoneley. Sarah is a Master Trainer at 1Rebel and currently the Head of Brand Development for 1Rebel Saudi. I met Sarah back when I was the General Manager of ClassPass. At that time, I attended a number of boutique classes, and Sarah’s quickly became one of my favorites, mostly because she was one of the best cycling Instructors I had taken class with. In this episode, Sarah and I chat about her ...
This week, we're doing something a little bit different. We are giving you a bonus episode, and this time, the tables are turned! I’m being interviewed by Ann-See Yeoh, a yoga and mindbody expert and teacher, for a special seminar series she hosted for Mindbody Fitness Professionals. Ann-See and I have known each other for a long time and worked together at Les Mills. She also has a great Facebook group linked in the show notes below, so be sure to check that out. We chat about how to have lo...
Today’s guest is a good friend and one of my Group Fitness role models, Bevan James Eyles. Bevan has been a world leading Instructor for a LONG time and one of the things I love most about him is that he still has just as much passion and gets just as much joy out of teaching today as he did 20 years ago. In case you missed it, checkout out his first appearance on the podcast all about building community and the secret to longevity as a Group Fitness Instructor. Now, Bevan is BACK and h...
The fitness industry has just had a big shake up and if you aren't yet across it, you NEED to be because it's a complete game changer for instructors! On the podcast today, the tables are turned and Will is being interviewed by guest host Richard Playfair. Why? Because Will's got a story to tell that every Instructor needs to hear. We’re coming up to the 5th birthday of SH1FT Fitness, and we've made some BIG changes. Will doesn't often talk about SH1FT on the podcast, but this is a special oc...
We talk about diversity in fitness a lot, and that applies to culture, ethnicity, body shape, and age. But it also relates to disabilities and physical limitations, too. Today’s podcast guest is Laura Ellis, a SH1FT Instructor. As you're going to hear, Laura was diagnosed with scoliosis at 11 years of age, and she’s been dealing with her back problems ever since. But that hasn't stopped her from pursuing her dreams of working in the Fitness Industry and meaningfully changing the lives of peop...
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