Group Fitness Real Talk
67 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 59 ratingsFeel 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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Episodes
From Group Fitness Instructor to Gym Owner & New Mother (During A Pandemic)
December 16, 2020 22:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBImagine having your first baby, opening your first fitness business and dealing with a global pandemic all within the space of a few weeks. This was the reality back in March for today’s podcast guest, Kate Slee. In today’s episode, we talk about what it’s like to start your own fitness studio, dealing with finding out you are going into lockdown on the day that studio is due to open and finally - fitness whilst pregnant and with a newborn. Kate is a self-proclaimed fitness addict, so fo...
Music in Fitness Classes - Why All The Rules?
December 08, 2020 09:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MBMusic is a topic that I get asked about A LOT from Instructors. It’s always been a complex topic, but with the rise of teaching virtually this year, everything Instructors thought they knew about music rights was flipped on its head. And that’s exactly why today's podcast episode is dedicated to the subject. Today’s guest is Denise Imbesi, CEO and Founder of Muscle Mixes Music. Denise got into the music side of fitness back in the 80s - when people still used vinyl to teach a class! We chat...
Learning from UK's Biggest Gym Chain
December 01, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 43.3 MBHow does the UK's biggest gym chain approach Group Fitness? What are the differences between low cost Group Fitness and the rest of the market? In this week's podcast, I’m talking to Dave Cross, Group Fitness Manager for Pure Gym, the UK's biggest gym chain. We talk about how they approach programming, being a low cost provider, what formats they focus on and how they empower their staff to teach Group Fitness. And finally, we touch on how they pivoted when lockdown hit - and I think Dave’...
The Future of Fitness w/ Emma Barry
November 24, 2020 09:00 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MB2020 has seen huge upheaval of our lives and many of the past podcast episodes have centered around supporting Instructors during this very difficult time. But today I wanted to flash forward to the future, to a time when COVID is a distant memory and ask - what will the fitness industry look like in 3 years time? To help answer that question is today's podcast guest and good friend - Emma Barry. Emma has her finger on the pulse of the fitness industry like no one else I know and she’s my ...
Studio Fitness in Your 50s with Tracy Minnoch
November 17, 2020 09:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBWhat’s it like working in the fitness industry in your 50s? How do you set up and run a successful fitness studio? What makes an incredible studio experience? These were some of the many topics covered in this week’s podcast with guest Tracy. Tracy is an incredibly successful boutique fitness owner in Asia and she was full of great tips and inspiration for those running their own fitness business. Plus, if you’re a spin instructor, she’s got some great ideas on how to create an awesome spi...
The Impact of Apple Fitness+, Coping with Lockdown 2.0 & More with Will Brereton
November 10, 2020 08:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBIn the last few weeks, we've been focused on bringing you some great interviews with people from in and out of fitness, giving you insights into how they're dealing with the challenges that this year is throwing at them. This week, we’re throwing it over to the listeners and I’m answering some of the biggest questions I’ve been asked recently by you - our podcast listeners. I’ll be covering my thoughts on how Apple Fitness+ will impact the fitness industry, how to build a digital community...
5 Pro Tips For Creating Better Virtual Classes w/ Richard Playfair
November 03, 2020 08:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBHow do you deliver a super professional virtual class? This is a question Will gets asked a lot, so rather than fielding this one, we wanted to invite SH1FT Fitness Video Producer and owner of Sweatlife Films, Richard Playfair, onto the podcast. Now if you’re just starting with digital and feeling a bit overwhelmed, then this isn’t the podcast for you. We’d recommend going back and listening to episode 2 first and then coming back to this once you’ve got your head around the basics. But if...
The Secret to Longevity as a Group Fitness Instructor w/ Les Mills legend Bevan James Eyles
October 27, 2020 04:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBWhat’s the secret to longevity as a Group Fitness Instructor? That’s the million dollar question - and if anyone’s going to be able to answer it, it’s this weeks podcast guest Bevan James Eyles. Bevan is a really good friend and was one of my biggest role models when I came into Group Fitness. Bevan has been a world leading Instructor for a LONG time and one of the things I love most about him is he still has just as much passion and gets just as much joy out of teaching today as he did 20...
The Secret to Longevity as a Group Fitness Instructor w/ Les Mills legend Bevan James Eyles
October 27, 2020 04:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBWhat’s the secret to longevity as a Group Fitness Instructor? That’s the million dollar question - and if anyone’s going to be able to answer it, it’s this weeks podcast guest Bevan James Eyles. Bevan is a really good friend and was one of my biggest role models when I came into Group Fitness. Bevan has been a world leading Instructor for a LONG time and one of the things I love most about him is he still has just as much passion and gets just as much joy out of teaching today as he did 20...
Digital Fitness: Pricing, Packaging and Platform
October 20, 2020 07:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBWe’ve all been thrown into teaching virtually this year and for, I would say, 99% of Instructors, this has been a MASSIVE learning curve. Trying to figure out the audio, the staging, the platform, the booking system, the payment provider. It’s been a lot to learn in a very short amount of time. I’ve had a lot of Instructors asking for advice on how to simplify virtual and so I wanted to bring Kal from Onpodio onto the podcast. Onpodio provides a full-service product for Instructors that fa...
Mindset 101: The Key To A Happier Life w/ Sacha Coburn
October 13, 2020 07:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBWe can all agree that this year has not been anything like we expected - 2020 has really challenged us all. Today I’m interviewing Sacha Coburn. Sacha is a wise giver of wisdom, outspoken and kind Sacha has a wealth of knowledge and advice and we talk about a lot of things in today’s podcast. But what stood out to me most, was mindset. She talks about two mindset holes that people get stuck in; the negativity space and the ‘hope for a miracle’ space. Both of which have their own problems. ...
How To Create A Healthy Relationship with Social Media
October 06, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBHave you found that your relationship with social media has changed since COVID? As a fitness instructor, social media is a necessary tool for building your profile, now more than ever. It’s benefits can be hugely positive, but it can also quickly have a negative or even toxic impact on your life. In today’s episode, I’m interviewing my good friend Danielle Natoni, former Format Expert for INSANITY LIVE and a person I have often looked to for inspiration when thinking about social media. In...
‘You're too fat’ and other BS that has no place in Group Fitness
September 29, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 43.1 MBHave you ever felt pressured by the fitness industry to to look a certain way? Unrealistic stereotypes of what a fitness professional should be - around body type, age, skin colour or physical ability - is something that many, if not most of us have struggled with. Today on the show we are talking to my good friend Vanessa Labort about a her career, and her particular experience of working in an industry where body image is sadly often more important than the skills and talent you bring to t...
Turning a Pandemic into an Opportunity | A How-To Guide
September 22, 2020 07:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBGroup Fitness Instructors all around the world have been put in a difficult position in 2020, we’ve all been either forced to shut up shop indefinitely, or move to teaching virtually - a situation that was uncomfortable and way out of most Instructors comfort zones. Today I’m interviewing two Instructors and friends Jen and AJ who both jumped into teaching virtually after COVID hit. They each have very different teaching backgrounds and strategies for virtual - but both are absolutely kill...
Les Mills Life & Uncovering your Instructor Superpower
September 15, 2020 07:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBWhat’s it really like at the top of the Group Fitness Industry? Today I interview Susan Renata as she takes us behind the scenes at Les Mills and shares an insiders look at what it’s like to work for the biggest group fitness brand in the world. In true Susan style, expect a lot of real talk including the ups, the downs and the lessons Susan has learnt across her Group Fitness career. Plus, checkout the show notes for an amazing free worksheet - ‘Finding your unique strength as an Instruct...
8 Things Every Instructor MUST DO in 2020
September 08, 2020 08:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MB2020 has changed Group Fitness forever, and the digital age is here to stay. If you’re an Instructor and you're not changing with it, you will get left behind. But it doesn’t have to be that way! In this episode, I’ll walk you through the 8 things Every Group Fitness Instructor must do in 2020’. I’ll also give you a step-by-step plan that you can action right now to take control of your career and ensure you are still doing what you love for years to come! So...are you going to sit in deni...
Surviving 2020 in Group Fitness
September 01, 2020 15:00 - 55 minutes - 37.8 MBHow do you feel about 2020? Sad, angry, confused, scared? 2020 has, for many Group Fitness Instructors, turned our world upside down! In today’s episode, I’m interviewing PiYo format expert and Group Fitness legend Michele Park. Michele has faced two life shattering events in the past year - first the closure of Beachbody LIVE, and second, JUST as she was finding her feet again, COVID hit. Michele is incredibly open and honest about her personal journey and also provides some great practical...