Staying relevant as a group exercise instructor takes hard work in this fast-paced world. Shey Shehovich asks, what does staying relevant mean to you?
Staying relevant in the fast-moving world of group exercise means something different to each of us. Whether you’re a seasoned instructor with two decades in the industry or a Gen Z just starting out, staying relevant is unique to your priorities and experiences. It’s more than keeping up with the latest fads – it’s about knowing yourself, defining your goals and choosing education that enhances your skills and aligns with your values.
It’s worth unpicking what relevance means to you. For older group exercise professionals, staying relevant might mean adding a discipline like Pilates or yoga to your repertoire, something that is easier on the body and allows you to teach for years to come. For Gen Z instructors, relevance could mean improving your social media presence by investing in tools like high-quality cameras, lighting and editing apps to help attract a wider following.
Staying relevant and pursuing ongoing education are intertwined but highly personal. The challenge lies in balancing your authenticity with the industry’s ever-changing demands. Before diving into the latest fad, ask yourself this: What does staying relevant mean to me? Is it about learning the craft at a deeper level, connecting with clients on a personal level or keeping up with my online audience?
Pursue education that’s meaningful to you
As a group exercise instructor, you have to decide what you value. Continuing education should be less about jumping on the next hot trend and more about understanding your ‘why’. What do you truly want from your career? Is it to gain more followers or to deepen your knowledge, or maybe it’s both? Being clear about your goals will help you make the best choices about ongoing education and ensure it adds real value to you and your career.
Following every fad in a bid to stay relevant risks losing your authenticity. Real growth is about diving into subjects that genuinely interest and excite you, even if they aren’t trending. For example, I became interested in understanding how hormones affect people’s bodies, mindsets and exercise habits about eight years ago. It wasn’t trending at the time but it felt relevant to me and my clients. I dug in, reading and learning everything I could on the subject.
Now, it’s a hot topic in the industry and I’ve built expertise that clients trust. That’s real education. I chose to follow what interested me rather than trends. And because I did, I found a niche that satisfies me and resonates with my clients. Let your curiosity and environment guide you. Stand strong in your interests, even if they are left of field.
Our industry can sometimes feel overrun by trends. Staying relevant as a group exercise instructor is about knowing who you are and what you want to give to the world. Authenticity and passion will set you apart from the crowd. Share your passion and commitment to ongoing learning with potential employers and clients. Let them know what drives you, what you’ve learned and why it matters. This will open doors to opportunities that align with your values and help you build a lasting, more satisfying career.
Read Jayne Nicholl’s opinion piece on building your career as a group exercise instructor.
Shey Shehovich
SHEY SHEHOVICH is a CoverMe ambassador and Les Mills International presenter/trainer.
