79: 5 Ways To Make Your Fitness Classes Unforgettable

Maya Angelou said it best: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

In this essential episode of Group X Appeal, Kimberly and Terry reveal the truth every instructor needs to hear—your participants aren't talking about your perfect choreography or flawless programming. They're remembering how they felt in your room.

Discover the 5 simple but powerful shifts that transform ordinary classes into unforgettable experiences students can't stop raving about. Learn why the most successful instructors focus on creating connection, belonging, and inspiration—not just delivering exercises. 

Whether you're a new instructor building your following or a veteran seeking to deepen your impact, these strategies will change how participants experience every single class you teach.

What keeps people coming back isn't just the workout—it's the feeling they can't get anywhere else.

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- email: kimberly@theinspiredlifeuniversity.com
- website: www.theinspiredlifeuniversity.com

Stay Connected with Terry:
- @terryshorter on Instagram & Facebook
- email: terry@rippedplanet.com
- website: www.rippedplanet.com

Transcript

There's a quote by Maya Angelou that every instructor should remember. People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. And that truth applies perfectly to group fitness. People might forget the exact choreography or the number of reps, but they'll always remember the experience you created for them. Today we are sharing five simple ways instructors can create a class experience that students will never forget.

Kimberly/terry (01:01)
Welcome to a brand new episode of Group X Appeal, episode number 79. 79. Yeah, yeah. I'm Terry Shorter. is Kimberly Spreen Glick. And we're excited to share this one with you. This is how to create an experience your students will never forget. And if you're a student,

kind of go through, make sure you're following to make sure your instructor is following these five simple tips that Kimberly and I are gonna be sharing today. Are we giving participants permission to call us out? Yes, call us out, call your instructor out. us accountable. We are here for you. We're here to serve you. True. So we need accountability too. Right? So I'm gonna kick this one off if that's all right. I'm gonna be odd, you're gonna be even. Well, you know, he is what he is. I'm a child of odd.

So the very first, we're gonna kind of go, let's go like chronologically, like what would happen as soon as like a participant comes to class, right? Comes steps in through the doors. The very first tip we'd have to give you as an instructor is greet people when they arrive. How about that? It seems like a no brainer. Call me crazy. But you know what? We don't want to assume that what we're sharing right now is common.

because we know it's not always happening from taking classes ourselves. Absolutely. Absolutely. You know, when possible, try to stand closest to the entrance. Pretty simple, right? Right before class begins. That's the best place where you can meet, greet, smile at people as soon as they come walking in. ⁓ Use their names if you can. That is super helpful. People, it's just endearing when you can.

connect with people by just sharing their name. It's like one of the things that most people love hearing is their names, right? So call them by their name and even something simple that you can possibly say, like, for example, I'm really glad you're here today. I'm glad you made it. Thanks for taking time out of your day to join all of us and share your energy, right? Something like any of those will do. What do you say?

Honestly, that first one. I just taught this morning and I must have said it half a dozen times, I'm really glad you're here today. And you gotta be authentic with it, but every person that walks in that room, are we glad they're there? ⁓ Yeah.

So why not let them know we're glad they're there. Absolutely. them feel good. Maybe a compliment. Compliments go a long way as well. my gosh, I love your shoes. I love your outfit. love how you're wearing your hair too. I don't know. Just something that you enjoy, appreciate, or love about their energy, how they look, whatever the case is. Just share that. And that moment of connection, literally, it immediately sets a positive tone and makes someone feel seen. It makes them feel valued. And really,

this all happens before the music turns on and the workout even starts. So why not? Why not? I know. It's like, can't hurt, might help. It's one of those no brainers for sure. So this is Jess. You may already be doing it by all means, but check in with yourself and challenge yourself each time you teach. And another thing to challenge yourself each time you teach would be second on our list, and that is to be fully present. ⁓ so don't be elsewhere.

Well, you know, it's interesting because what we know to be true about the brain is that it is designed to help us do things on autopilot. It helps save energy. And so the brain will do things on autopilot. It's how we end up driving home and we missed, we can't remember the last two miles we drove because we just did it on autopilot. So it's not an awful thing, but teaching is not one of the things you want to do on autopilot. No, it's okay if you make your breakfast on autopilot, you brush your teeth at night on autopilot, but when you are teaching,

be fully present. You want to make sure you're so in the moment that you're able to coach based on what's happening in the room. Often, especially newer teachers, but I would say those that have been around for a while even will have like a script. They'll either have notes that they bring with them or a script in their mind. And they teach to that, whether it be the exact number of repetitions or the exact choreography, the exact flow, and they leave no room for

things unfolding differently than what they had planned. And don't get us wrong, it's great to have a plan. Always. You gotta have a blueprint. Always walk in with a plan. be willing to be flexible. Right. Yeah, because when you're in the moment, you wanna coach based on what you're seeing in the room, not based on what you planned in your head before class. Right. Because the people showing up in the room may be different than what you thought. So you wanna stay fully present, noticing what's happening in front of you so that you can see who needs encouragement.

What kind of form correction? There's different types of cueing. You've got your instructional cueing, your safety cueing, your correctional cueing. And so how do you know what to cue? You don't want to just cue what you have scripted. Cue based on what you're seeing. Maybe acknowledge people who are giving great effort. That's huge. And you're not going to notice that effort if you're not paying attention and being fully present in the room. And when students feel like you're

in the moment with them, that you are really putting your attention, your love, your focus on them. It builds trust and it deepens the connection between you and your community. So being fully present, like people can tell. People can tell when you're in the moment and you're going through the motions, but mentally you're elsewhere. Like really, don't teach your class and at the same time be thinking about what you're gonna pick up at the grocery store on the way home. Like it doesn't work. It doesn't work. People will see right through it. So be fully in the moment and give yourself

and your class, the gift of really enjoying everything as it unfolds. Yeah. Good tip. Love it. Be present. Simple. you are, be there for sure. So the third tip we wanted to share with you is teach based on options and not necessarily levels. So what does that mean? You know, instead of labeling different exercises as beginner, intermediate and advanced,

offer some options, right? This, what happens is this immediately reduces, it eliminates, you know, any sort of comparison and ego from the room. Um, cause people already walking in, especially people who are new, there might be some apprehension. There might, they might be a little bit nervous. They might feel like, is this, this, this is where I'm supposed to be. Right. And so every participant gets to choose what works best for their body, For their fitness level.

⁓ their energy for the day and of course their goals, their overall goals, what they would like to achieve, right? So what happens is options really empower students rather than ranking them. And don't get me wrong, everyone has like a competitive streak in them, right? But at the same time, want, more importantly, I think we want to create a more inclusive kind of environment where everyone feels like they're not only invited but

there's a space for them and it's a safe space for them. So. And they can be successful. Yeah. What I've also noticed is if, if we, if we cue like beginner intermediate advanced, or if we use words like, well, if you can't do it this way, do it this way. Right. It, some people who are ultra competitive. Take it to another level. Harder level or the more advanced level when they shouldn't. And that's when people get hurt. That's when injuries happen. They always happen when that occurs.

That one's big one for me. I'm glad you brought that one up. Same, same, same, same. So the fourth tip we have for you is to use maybe some of your favorite quotes or some kind of any kind of words that would inspire. You know, it's one thing to motivate people, to motivate people to encourage them from the outside in. Like we are an external force as instructors helping people decide to move their bodies, to lift the weight, to move in a certain pattern or do the yoga pose or whatever the case may be.

And it's great, movement is really powerful and our ability to motivate is so necessary. But when we can go a little bit deeper than just us as external motivation and maybe say something that causes them to do some kind of inward ⁓ focus, some kind of introspective moment, if we can create that, then the movement can become so much more meaningful.

because we're pairing it now with inspiration, difference being, we should do episode on this, the motivation versus inspiration, but inspiration comes from the inside out. And it kind of impels you to do the thing versus an external focus pressuring you to do the thing or making you feel like you should do the thing. And so it could be as simple as a short quote or just a thoughtful phrase that helps people connect the physical effort to just something deeper within them. doesn't need to be long.

And just one line can spark reflection or motivation to elevate the moment. It could just be something as simple as when they're in a really difficult part of the class saying, you know what, you can do hard things, you got this. Something that simple, I've actually had that said when I was in a class and it caused me to go anywhere and I'm like, yeah, you know what, I've done hard things before and I can do hard things again, I can do this. And it causes them from the inside out to put forth.

It's the effort. More energy, more effort. It's really powerful. Absolutely. And it will make them feel the experience is different than every other instructor out there who's just motivating with woohoo and yay and the directional cues and such. Not that there's anything wrong with that. We need that Yeah, gotta have it. I do that all the time. We all do. But we can go a little deeper. One of my favorites is, this is a little external because it's a visualization, but in cycle, when we're doing a breakaway, it's like we're on a hill.

I encourage them to imagine someone at the top of the hill that needs them. It's the person in their life that they love the most. They love the most that is most important to them and they need them to get there as quickly as possible. What are you going to do about that? And I look around the room and the way people tackle that hill is nuts. And it's so cool. I love that. Yeah. A simple.

Idea a simple line. ⁓ I love themes like especially especially in yoga It's a great opportunity, but it doesn't only have to be yoga by the way And a lot of times I'll base themes on you know, I love national days. I love to celebrate certain days What today happens to be national flapjack day? probably knows when it's like national polka dot sock day That's next Tuesday. Yeah, so Flapjack not pancake not pancakes flapjacks. Okay, totally different

We'll do an episode on that. So. We should do an episode on all the national days. We should. You know what else he knows, which I was upset that I forgot to ask him about? He knows all the places you can go on your birthday to get free stuff. Oh my gosh. Yes. I keep a list, a running list and there's still a couple got my free Starbucks, but that was it. Yeah. Well that's good. You can still get some stuff. It doesn't have to necessarily be on the exact day. Oh, okay. Yeah. they give you, they give you about seven days or so at a lot of places. So yeah. digress. Yeah.

So themes, themes are great too, to have a theme for the entire class. That way you have a focal point. have something that, you know, just kind of, again, it's creating that experience that really set you apart from any other classes that folks go to. and then once you've created that experience, right? Once you've created that, I don't know, that inspiration that Kimberly just shared, the last thing is number five.

Thank people when they leave. Novel. How about that? yeah, it's what simple to do is simple not to do. You've heard the saying, right? Thank people before they leave. It's the final moment of class. It often becomes the lasting impression. People remember the first thing that you said, they'll remember the last thing that you said. and the middle's a blur. The middle's a big old blur, especially if they're sweating and trying to find oxygen in the room. So it really does leave a lasting impression.

And when possible, again, stand near the door where they walked in, right, before they leave, and acknowledge their effort, right? Tell them, great job today. Simple stuff. You worked really hard today. You know, I appreciate your energy. It was contagious today. Other people were feeling it. ⁓ Thank you so much for being here today. That simple and small interaction is just going to remind people that their effort mattered, right? Their presence mattered. Their energy mattered.

and let them know you can't wait to see them again in the next class. Because people don't remember what you said, they remember what you did. Yes, Maya. They remember how you made them feel. why not intentionally make them feel good? So the most memorable instructors aren't just delivering workouts, they're creating connection, encouragement, belonging, inspiration. And those moments are what keep people coming back again and again. Absolutely. For sure.

So when instructors focus on creating experiences instead of just delivering exercises, something really, really powerful happens. Students feel supported, inspired, and just part of something that's meaningful, part of community. Yeah, we want to be part of something bigger, Yeah, absolutely. When people feel that kind of connection, they don't just come back for the workout. They come back for more of the way the class and the way you, as the instructor, make them feel.

We'd love to hear from you. What makes class unforgettable for you? So share this episode with your fitness community, tag your favorite instructor. We're gonna keep building the experiences that bring people back again and again. And let us know your thoughts. we miss anything? We never claimed to have all inclusive, exhaustive lists. So keep sharing with us and sharing us with others. We so appreciate your support. For sure. And if there's an instructor that's hitting all these five different tips that we shared,

Give them a shout out. Let us know who they are, where they're located, what they're teaching in, why ⁓ you love the experience that they create for you. Yeah, maybe we'll interview them. ⁓ that'd be cool. Would love that. So with that being said, thank you so much for joining us today. I'm Terry Shorter. I'm Kimberly Spreen Glick. And always we wish you a great day. And why? Because it is a great day to have. Yes, it is. Peace out.