How to show appreciation to your favorite group fitness instructors
How to show appreciation to your favorite group fitness instructors coming at you today!
This is an updated version of an older post that has been very popular over the years, and I love that people want to talk about this topic! Let’s do a refresh …
I’ve been a group fitness instructor for more than 15 years, and I want to start this post by saying that group fitness instructors do not teach group fitness classes because they are looking for anything in return from participants. That’s not what this post about showing appreciation is about at all. What this post is about is understanding how to best support your favorite group fitness instructors.
Believe it or not, most group fitness instructors are not teaching your class to get rich. Don’t get me wrong, you can definitely be well compensated for filling up the room at the nicer health clubs and fancier boutique studios, but most likely, your instructor is there out of passion for group fitness and passion for helping others (like you) to get moving.
So let’s talk about how to show appreciation to those special people who work hard for you …
How to show appreciation to your favorite group fitness instructors
Here’s how to show appreciation to your favorite group fitness instructors …
Show up regularly to your favorite group fitness instructors’ classes as best as you can.
One of the very best ways to show appreciation to your favorite group fitness instructors is to show up regularly to their classes. In fact, regular attendance is the most important thing you can do.
Not only do group fitness instructors love to teach to a full room of folks, but also, most group fitness instructors are assessed by their class numbers. This particular metric can determine whether or not a group fitness instructor gets more classes on the schedule, whether the group fitness instructor can ask for increases in their pay and whether that group fitness instructor is considered for new opportunities as well.
But not only that, group fitness is an in-person (or virtual) activity. We want you there, and we want you to come every week (or multiple times a week), because you want to be there. This is just so huge.
We see you. We like seeing you. And we want you in your spot that you know you love to choose every single class.
Tell your friends about your favorite group fitness instructors, and invite your friends to their classes.
Do you know what makes your favorite group fitness instructors really happy? When you tell other people about their classes, invite those new people and help convert those new people to big fans too.
So if you have a favorite instructor who really motivates you and always delivers a great class, then don’t keep it a secret. Spread the love.
Not only do group fitness instructors love to have new people in their classes, but also, if someone comes in as a “referral,” they are way more likely to commit and become a regular. A win-win-win, for you, the instructor and your friend.
Be open to trying new things with your favorite group fitness instructors.
If you like a particular instructor, and they start teaching a new class that you’re not sure you would like, you should totally try the class.
If you like a particular instructor, and they start teaching in a new time-slot that you don’t usually attend, go one day and see what it’s like.
Because, back to point number one, the most important thing you can do is attend your favorite instructors’ classes.
Thank the instructor after every class you take from them, or at least say goodbye as you leave the room.
I know it sounds silly to thank your instructor after every class, but you should do it. Your instructor appreciates every single thank you. If there are 40 people in the class, and all 40 say thank you — that is not too much.
Now, I know that you’re often quite busy and you have to rush out, and I know that sometimes the instructor is already talking to others when you’re leaving. But at the least, you can say bye, wave, or smile at your instructor on your way out.
This tiny acknowledgment matters so much — after you’ve spent this important time together — and it certainly takes very little effort on your part, you know?
Tell your favorite instructors why you like their classes. And tell them how they’ve made a difference for you.
If you keep going back to the same instructors, there’s got to be a reason, right?
Some people love an energetic instructor. Some people love an educational instructor. Some people love a bossy instructor. Some people love an instructor with a great playlist.
Whatever it is about your instructor that you like or whatever it is about his or her class that you like — let them know. This praise and this encouragment helps motivate your instructor to keep creating, practicing and delivering great workouts to you.
But it doesn’t have to just be feedback on the instructor’s class, it could also be how you’ve achieved a new health and wellness goal or changed your habits or lifestyle based on taking their classes. Don’t keep this information to yourself, share it!
Help your favorite instructors get their equipment set up or help them clean up.
You are by no means obligated to help your instructor get set up, but if you know what they need for class, it’s such a nice thing to do.
And while I know you have a million things to do after class is over, if you’re able to do even a little bit of clean up for your instructor, outside of your own equipment, of course, it’s such an appreciated effort.
Be a really good participant in your favorite instructors’ classes.
What’s a really good participant? Someone who listens when the instructor is talking. Someone who answers when the instructor asks the class a question. Someone who does their best to follow the instructor. And definitely someone who is polite to others in the room. I’ve written a whole post about how to be a polite and really good group fitness participant, and you can check that one out here.
Provide feedback on your favorite instructors to the gym or studio where they work, or even in an online review.
If you love your instructor, you should tell their manager that you feel the way you do. It may take you one whole minute to leave that positive comment, and yet, it matters so much to the instructor. And if you get an email survey after taking your favorite instructor’s class, please fill it out rather than ignore it. Once again, it matters.
Yelp is the go-to spot for rating gyms and studios online. If you love someone who teaches a great class, pop on and give them a positive shout-out. Would you do that for a restaurant that doesn’t mean that much to you? Probably. So do it for an instructor who gives you sweat, effort and motivation when you need it most to reach your fitness goals.
In conclusion …
Group fitness is an amazing thing. It brings people together to sweat, connect and learn from each other, while also getting in shape and feeling good at the same time.
While you’re not expected to do anything for the instructors that teach your classes, if you want to, try any or all of the above. But most importantly, keep on moving and soaking up the benefits of working out together!
Thank you for reading this post about how to show appreciation to your favorite group fitness instructors. Go off and have a great day!
Other posts you may like
A few more posts you may like about group fitness …
- How to properly incorporate group fitness classes into your workout routine
- How to get better results from taking group fitness classes
- Group fitness rules: How to be a polite group fitness participant
- Signs you’re taking a class from a bad group fitness instructor
Questions of the day
Do you have a favorite group fitness class or instructor?
What’s something you look for in a group fitness instructor?
As a group fitness instructor, I appreciate all these things. I love getting feedback from my regulars, so I can cater to their likes and dislikes more.
Hi Emily! Feedback is so important, and I think a lot of people never think to give it — they don’t realize we want to make the class how THEY want it! 🙂
I love all of these tips and thank you for sharing! I have gifted some of my favorite group fitness instructors with gift cards over the years and it definitely feels good to do because I know they devote so much more time than just what they spend with us during the class. As someone who hates public speaking, I can really appreciate the task of leading a class over music while also needing to demonstrate moves and correct participants on their form. It’s a LOT to do all at once.
I really wish that I could take one of your classes! I need to make visiting San Fran a priority to do so. Surely your new guest bedroom must be dying for a guest who loves itineraries and playing with little babies while Mommy showers, right?!! Hehe
Hi Court! That’s awesome you’ve done that for your instructors. Totally not expected, but such a nice treat. And yes, you’re right — it takes a lot of prep and oftentimes expense to teach a one-hour class. It would be so cool to have you in one of my classes one day — and babysitting duties may be assigned from time to time hahaha!!
Oh Ashley I couldn’t wait to read this blog. Being an avid spinner I wanted to read your thoughts about treating my spin instructors. I spin with numerous instructors. I have two favorites I have done classes with from their first day, 10 and 12 years ago. I might miss a spin class now and then but never theirs. And if I miss a class I will get a text wanted to know if I am okay. Always let them know in advance if I am going to be gone on a trip. Even the other instructors I like a bunch. I don’t think I ever had a spin instructor I wouldn’t go back to their class. That is why I spin every day. Sometimes twice a day. I have so much respect for my instructors. Being a former educator I know how much time you put into preparation and the effort you put into each class. I agree talking is one of the worst problems in class. Not only for the instructor but other class members. I feel like telling them if they want to socialize then go ride a stationary bike on the gym floor. But never have.
Recently we took a cruise just before Christmas. Naturally I did spin classes on the ship. It was expected to tip the instructor after each class. It gave me this idea that it would be nice to give each of my instructors a Christmas card with a Christmas tip in it. I think they got a kick out of it.
One of my long term instructors travel a long distance to teach a spin class. (She lives in Tarpon Springs and teach in Clearwater). I started doing a spinning class at a small gym in Tarpon Springs. I thought this would be perfect for her. I got owner and her together. They hit it off. Now she teaches at Tarpon Springs a half mile from her house. I still spin in her class.
I feel very bias toward my favorite instructors. I always compliment them all the time. But wonder if my opinion doesn’t have as much value since I have been with them so long.
Now I am done with my blog. Thanks for this blog. It really hit home for me.
Thanks for this blog. I really enjoyed reading it. I feel good as I think I do a few of the things you suggested.
I love your blogs, Richard! And I love that you connected one of your favorite instructors with a new gym. That’s so good of you. As far as tipping — never heard of that — must be a cruise ship thing ehhe. Oh and I forgot to mention in this post that instructors LOVE to know if you are going to be on vacation, so we don’t worry that you just stopped coming to class. Glad you do that!!
Aww I love this & totally agree about these tips! I love seeing regular faces in my classes and love when they tell me they will be out of town or what not, makes me feel important and that my class matters to them!!
Totally, Marielle! I love when they keep me posted on their whereabouts! That’s the great thing about group fitness — it’s about the people! 🙂
Feedback of any kind is so important and appreciated. I’m definitely not a mind reader and can’t always tell if someone is enjoying a class based on their focused and serious look on their face :-). I always try to pay it forward to my fellow teachers as well. Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Nicci! So true about not being able to read minds. Sometimes people have such a rough look on their face from the workout, it’s hard to tell if they hate the class or not hahahah! 🙂 FEEDBACK, people!! Thanks for saying hi, babe!
A HUG AND THANK YOU sweet Ashley for your beautiful description of “How to Show Appreciation to Your Favorite Group Fitness Instructors”. I’m not an instructor but attend an aerobics class 3 times a week and always feel bad when some in the group leave earlier or talk, etc. I was impressed to read your pointing everything so intelligently and so sensibly that I wish all participants in a fitness group to read your article.
Ashley, do you happen to have this article on paper including the good comments? I ask because since I can’t get the group’s emails, I’d like to have it on paper and I’d hand the article to them AND my 2 group instructors too. Actually there many more instructors in my gym (NYC) and I’d love to hand them to all, in fact I’d love to also hand it to the management of my gym too.
Unfortunately my new printer isn’t working well and besides it’s a black & white laser machine, but if it did have a PDF it could be printed.
I’m going to read your other articles as well. Keep your excellent job of writing about things SO IMPORTANT but so little thought about… 🙂
Hi Adela, Thank you so much for your kind comment and for stopping by the blog — so I don’t have a print copy of this blog page with comments, but I’d recommend trying to “print to PdF” from your computer and see if it gives you the whole page?? Or you could send around the link? I really appreciate the support. Good luck!! 🙂
Thanks Ashley, I’ll try but it won’t show your photo and other graphics and all B&W. I think I’ll give them the link since it isn’t difficult to follow as most are. This one just gives your website and the name of the article. Great article and right on target indeed! 🙂 I’m sure my 2 group trainers will be pleased if they read it as all the other trainers if I can reach them. Maybe I’ll ask the management if they would forward it to everybody…if it doesn’t conflict with those who expect cold cash lol! Adela
I just wrote a comment and I’m sorry I don’t see it. I was saying I want to know how to have your article on paper to give out in my gym. I hope i thas gone through? I don’ t have a URL. Adela
The article on “How to Show Appreciation to Your Favorite Group Fitness Instructors” by aladygoeswest.com is a heartwarming read. It beautifully highlights the dedication and hard work that group fitness instructors put into their classes. The suggestions provided, from a simple “thank you” to thoughtful gestures like handwritten notes or small gifts, reflect the importance of expressing gratitude. Instructors play a pivotal role in motivating and inspiring individuals on their fitness journeys, and showing appreciation not only brightens their day but also strengthens the fitness community. This article is a reminder of the positive impact we can create through kindness and acknowledgment.