88: The 1st Class Effect: How That Experience Can Change Everything

Everyone Remembers Their First Group Fitness Class—But Do You Know Why It Matters More Than You Think?

The nerves. The uncertainty. That voice whispering "do I even belong here?" For many people, that one first class becomes the start of everything—a lifestyle shift, a confidence breakthrough, maybe even a life-changing moment. But what makes some first experiences unforgettable while others never lead to a second visit?

In this powerful episode of Group X Appeal, Kimberly and Terry explore the "first class effect" and why those initial 60 minutes carry more weight than most people realize. 

Discover 5 essential elements that transform intimidating first-timers into lifelong participants, from the welcome that sets everything to the exit feeling that becomes the hook.

Learn why normalizing nerves matters, how one connection can change someone's entire trajectory, and the surprising truth about progress versus perfection. 

Whether you're an instructor shaping someone's first experience or a regular participant who can help welcome newcomers, this conversation reveals how you might be part of someone's first class story - and why that responsibility is bigger than you think.

Kimberly and Terry both remind us that the first class isn't just about showing up - it's about the feeling you leave with.

If you find yourself a part of someone's first class story - make it count.

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Questions or topic ideas? Email us @ groupxappeal@gmail.com

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Stay Connected with Kimberly:
- @kimberlyspreenglick on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
- 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

Everyone remembers their very first group exercise class, the nerves, the uncertainty, maybe even thinking, do I even belong here? But then something happens. And for many people, that one class becomes the start of everything. Today, we're talking about the power of the first class effect and why it matters more than you think.

Kimberly/terry (00:23)
Hey there, Terry Shorty here with. Kimberly Spreen Glick Welcome to Group X Appeal episode number eight, eight. Eight, eight. Eight, eight. Don't you feel great? I feel great about it being eight, eight. Yeah. Well, today we're talking about that very first group exercise class. We know that it can really be a defining moment for a lot of people, you especially for a new participant. It could feel intimidating.

it can feel exciting, perhaps even overwhelming, right? It definitely did for me. I remember, but it was also a moment of possibility because if that experience is positive, it can spark confidence, create connection and open the door to a whole new lifestyle. So this episode is about understanding how powerful that first class experience is and how both instructors and participants can really help shape it. So shall we share five ways to kind of create and or experience a

Great first class. Yeah, a powerful class powerful. We do like memorable class. How does that sound done? Yeah, we've talked about this before, you know the it's all about that first impression, right? So the welcome really does set everything whether you are an instructor and or a participant as well, you know that first impression. Yes, it may be small but truly it is everything, you know a smile a greeting or just a very very simple

you're in the right place can shift someone's entire experience, right? So think about for you, how were you welcomed in your very first class, your very first group exercise class? For me, I remember it was Shalene Johnson. I think I told you, told you this before. You know, she had this, just this huge smile on her face. She just looked like she was so happy to be there in the studio.

about to do what she does and made me feel super, super welcome, even though I was the only dude in the studio amongst like 70, 80 other people. ⁓ I felt like, this is cool. think I feel like I can do this. So had that confidence coming right out of the gate, but it was because of her. And then as soon as you get in the class and make your way to your spot, wherever that may be, the people around me, I do remember making me feel super, super welcome as well. ⁓

My first one was incredibly overwhelming. It was a jazzercise class. That in itself is overwhelming. That is kind of overwhelming. the outfits, seeing the outfits that were being worn. Indeed, was 1991, 92, and the class was taking place at the local armory, which is the same like community center type facility where I had learned to roller skate when I was a little girl. I did not want to go. Familiar, least. The space was familiar, but I didn't have my skates on.

I was petrified, I didn't wanna go. I had been kind of convinced to go by a woman that I worked with, because it was her daughter teaching. And I was scared, I was so scared. And I walked in and all the women there, it all women, we didn't have our Terry. We didn't have our one the token Terry. We didn't have our token Terry. Everyone needs a token Terry. But I need a pocket Terry. So just take it with me everywhere that's weird. It's a big ass pocket. It just got a little weird, okay.

And I remember feeling even more intimidated when I entered all the women were like much older. You know, I was only 18 years old ⁓ and everyone was in like their thirties, forties. I remember thinking, ⁓ gosh, take it back. But I remember just feeling like, I belong here? And they were so welcoming. that's awesome.

And it really made me feel like even though I didn't last the whole class, well, it's another story for another time. ⁓ I did, I felt welcomed and it made all the difference in the world. It made me want to go back. Sure. And so as a, it's good that you decided to stay as long as you, you, your, your cardiovascular system would allow you. But today, fast forward today as an instructor, is there anything you do at the top of class to, kind of, ⁓ to make

people feel welcome aside from saying hello at the doors or anything else that you do? Yeah, mean, the majority of it. I love the one-on-one connection. Sure. As a group, I definitely just welcome everyone and let them know I'm so glad they're here. And when someone shares with me, it's my first class, I immediately ask their name, I introduce myself, and I always make sure that I say, I'm so glad you're here. Sure. Because I am. Yeah. So it's authentically.

what I want them to know. They're in the right place. I'm glad they're here. This is where they're supposed to be and we're going to take great care of them. Yeah, I love it. I love it. One of the things is I'm setting up the music about to start while I turn my back to set up the music. One of the things I'll share with the participants is, hey, be sure to turn to someone you haven't said hello to yet. Say hello, smile, give them a high five, a hug, a fist bump, chest bump, whatever it takes. Just say hello. I love it.

you know, that way they can get that connection just right out of the gate. That kind of reminds me of our five star training because a lot of different people feel welcome in your space in different ways. And so like what you do is great for the socializer. And so, and I know you happen to be a socializer. I know that's shocking to everyone out there listening or watching. ⁓ And then my kind of ⁓ most relatable behavioral style is a relator. And so I tend to speak to that language as a relator. It's like you,

I'm so glad you're here. We're all in this together. I use stronger together a lot. And, you there's also the thinker. They, they want to know that you've done whatever research or work you need to have done to be well-prepared for the class. And then there's the director that wants to know you're in charge. Like you're going to start on time. You're going to end on time. You know what you're doing. And so I think if we can during class either, or at the beginning of class, either one-on-one or in that group setting, kind of let everyone know no matter

what your love language is when it comes to that behavioral style. ⁓ Platinum rule, know? Treat others the way they wanna be treated and they're gonna feel welcome in your space. Super helpful. So another point we wanted to share with you is how important it is to normalize the nerves. We're talking about first class here. And like I had shared, I was petrified. Like I was so scared. I did not want to go. And the only reason that I won is because I gave my word that I was gonna go.

and I didn't want to ⁓ disappoint my coworker Edna. And so I showed up for class, but I was like just biting my nails scared. And ⁓ I think that when we can either as instructors or participants in class, when we know someone is trying class for the first time, if we can normalize those nerves and just remind ourselves of what it was like the first time we took class.

and let them know like it's all you're going to be okay. It's all good. We're glad you're here. You're going to survive. Yeah. You just go at your own pace. I talk about that a lot. You go at your own pace. You make whatever choices you need to make so that at the end of the hour, you're glad you showed up. So a lot of times that can help kind of lessen the nerves for people to know that no matter what I'm capable of during this hour, it's enough and it's okay. absolutely. The expectation is not too high. Yeah. Right. Or the standard is not set too high. So well, good.

I like it. Normalize the nerves. We've all had the first class. Like everyone can relate to someone who's trying their class the first time. Absolutely. We just have to remember to be empathetic in that scenario. Good stuff. Good stuff. And then the third tip is as we like to say a lot, progress is greater than perfection. We're not there to be perfect. I mean, it's going to be, it's going to forever, right? To find that, that, that place of perfection, but

All of us can find progress, right? Or achieve progress and nobody is going to nail it their very first time. They're not going to be perfect right out of the gate at all. And they don't need to know, right? The wind truly is just by showing up. just did a post yesterday on Instagram. You know, there's people who just really ⁓ fret over just kind of get upset with themselves because they didn't do 10,000 steps on a certain day when they're trying to reach 10,000 steps, right? They

didn't get the full hour workout, the full 60 minute workout, or they didn't play full out, they didn't do the entire burpee, right? So instead, why not just do 7,000 steps? Why not just get 30 steps, 30 minutes worth of workout in rather than hour? Maybe instead of doing a burpee, just hit a squat, maybe sprawl, maybe something really simple.

The key thing is, is again, just showing up, doing what you're able to do on that particular day so you can come back stronger the next day, you know, and maybe even do maybe just a little bit better. It doesn't have to be a lot, 1%. That's it. ask yourself, what's something you struggled with, with at first that now feels supernatural, right? Not supernatural, but just natural. Or supernatural. Or that too. Sure. That too. I think, I think back.

Push-ups for me was a thing. It was a challenge. As a former soccer player, we weren't known for having big, arms and chest and back, legs, yes, legs and booty for sure. Yeah, quadzilla. Love doing ⁓ leg workouts like every day. But when it came to push-ups, that was the biggest challenge. But I just thought, okay, just do one more than the last session. And that's growth, that's progress, that's making strides. Interesting.

What about for you? I think the one that bubbles up for me is balance. ⁓ I definitely, when I first started doing classes and workout routines that require balance, especially multi-planar movement, as much as it does replicate real life movement. Functional movement. Yeah. When you actually put yourself into a movement pattern that you're not used to doing, it throws you off. yeah. And it can be very frustrating when you wobble at first, which...

Is what I'm so glad that, one of the classes I teach twice a week now is on the BOSU balance trainer. And so a big part of the class is that we're doing traditional strength training, but then we're also incorporating stability training because I think it is really important that we train for balance as well as strength, cardiovascular mobility, flexibility, all that stuff. And, that was one that as I look back, that was one that I definitely did not feel comfortable with right away. Right. And now you're teaching it and now I teach it. coach it. Yeah. And I it. Love it. Love it. Good.

So tip number four, connection, connection, connection. And what else? And also connection. Awesome. And if you think about it, you throw in some connection. Some connection might help. Truly, know, one connection changes everything. It could be the instructor, the person next to you, you know, a simple smile. That one connection can be the very reason someone comes back. for instructors, as you notice new faces, make sure you make that connection.

You can help calm the nerves. You can help make them feel welcome. Some of the things we already talked about and for participants as you see a new face, welcome them. It goes back to point one, but it is also about making a connection. Maybe have a quick conversation. Maybe you have something similar in your background or things that that are you have in common, but you make a connection. Now people have another reason to come back because they're building community and that's part of what group exercise is all about. absolutely. Do you have those like

Can you think of those participants or members that come to your class that are those folks that create those connections? Do you see them happening? See it happening? Yeah, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. You have those, those people who are, you have the cheerleaders, the ones that are just hooting and hollering during the class. And I'm in a good old time. You have the connectors and when they see a new face, they welcome them. Yeah. The mamas.

Yeah, Mom and Faraday in Cycle. She listens to the podcast. So shout out to Mom Faraday. ⁓ She's definitely a connector in Cycle class. When there's someone new, she makes them feel like they belong there for sure. She's the best. That would be like a Renee or a Carolyn in my classes. come to dance and rift and everything. They always find the new people who are trying to make their way into the class and find where their spot is and what equipment they need and they get them all set up. So it's awesome. The little mama geese.

makes lot of difference. it. Mama hens. One of the birds. I don't know. It's one of the birds, the loving, warm, welcoming birds.

Just leave it at that. done. Point number five. So ⁓ like we talked about the welcome, the entrance to number five is about the exit, right? The exit feeling is the hook. It's the hook, it's the line, it's the sinker. And it's because people don't come back because your class was perfect, right? They come back because of how they felt when they left, right? Did they feel they may have felt proud maybe?

accomplished, maybe they felt energized, maybe they felt strong, much, much stronger than they walked in, maybe more empowered, all of that. Right. And so it's that is so, so, so key. So what feeling keeps you coming back to a class? Right. For me, trying a new class, I go to a new class. Tell me it's the challenge. I like the challenge. Of it is. Of course. Let's see.

Let's see if I can do this, you know better next time. I want I want to improve I want to find some level of improvement I love that at some level And i'm i'm always seeking connection. Okay, that's the relator in me i'm always seeking That that person-to-person connection. That's good. Yeah, meet new people. Yeah, love it. Love it. Love it. Love it So the first class

that one might take in their group exercise journey, might feel small in the moment, but it can actually change the direction of someone's life. It did for us for sure. Absolutely. Like that is no joke. I mean, I used to joke about the fact that if I were to write a book, my first book would probably be titled Jazzercise Saved My Life. Wow. That's a good title. You better trademark that quick. know, right? Jazzercise Saved My it changed the trajectory of my life in a huge way. Yeah. Yeah.

Thank you, JazzerSize for giving us Kimberly. You saved my life too, JazzerSize. Hey, I was gonna be a graphic designer. wow. That's what I was going to college for. Okay. Wow, that's a huge change. change. Well, you still could have been great. You still would have been great. I'm not quite sure you would have impacted the same amount of lives that you have had in this career in this field. Your lips to God's ears. Yeah. Don't think it would.

would have been possible, yes, rock on. You're good at Canva. I'm gotten pretty darn good at Canva. will say. So whether you're teaching, whether you're taking, remember you might be a part of someone's first class story. So we really encourage you to make it count. We gave you these five tips and hopefully they've been impactful or helpful for the very least at the very least. And we encourage you to.

share this maybe with that person who has been apprehensive, who has been nervous or scared to even step foot in a group exercise class. Hopefully these tips help. Yeah. And be on the lookout for those of you who take classes. If you take classes regularly, be on the lookout for a new face and ask, is this your first time here? You know, and welcome them in. Imagine they're wearing a sign around their neck that says, make me feel welcomed. Oh, like make me feel like I belong here.

and have that conversation, make that connection, make them know they belong. Yeah, because they could be the next Kimberly Spring Glick. Or Terry Shorter. Well, that's it. We appreciate you joining us for episode number 88. Hope you feel great after this.