If I asked you to describe the perfect indoor cycling class, what would you say?

For me, it’s always about the instructor.

Note that I’m not talking about their prowess or performance in the saddle, but about how they make me feel. I go into the studio and they’re there to greet me by name and take me to my bike. They’re on-hand if I have questions about the set-up. They connect with me – and everyone else in the room – throughout the class, motivating me, making sure I’m feeling OK, checking the music and air con are just right. They offer praise and feedback at the end of the class, thanking me for coming, referring me to the timetable, telling me when they’re next teaching and saying “I hope I see you again” as they say goodbye.

When was the last time you had an experience like that in an indoor cycling class, or indeed any group exercise class?

It might sound too good to be true, but I had this very experience when I was in Asia recently. The instructor cared. They wanted to do their job perfectly. I loved every minute.

I’m afraid it threw into sharp contrast the experience I usually have, where education is clearly lacking, soft skills under-developed, KPIs unimplemented, creativity quashed.

So, what do we do about this?

It has to start, I believe, with recognising the responsibility operators have to the young instructors in their clubs.

Yes, many will be freelancers. Yes, there’s a risk that investment in their development will ultimately walk out of the door. Yet they are ambassadors for the club, the immediate public face of any gym or studio brand. There’s no better way to undermine all that marketing spend than to have personnel who don’t live and breathe what you stand for.

(I also happen to believe that most people will stay with a company that values them, helps them fill their classes and provides them with an exciting career path. And if we all step up, the talent pool will improve across the sector.)

So, let’s properly educate these young people and nurture a sense of pride in what they do. As GX instructors, they lead and motivate groups of people. They learn about customer service, managing different mentalities and ages all at the same time. They haven’t just read about it. They have done it, developing valuable skills with relevance for progression within the sector and beyond.

In short, I want it to count for something if a young person has worked in our sector, just as it does if they have the armed forces on their CV.

GX instructor certainly shouldn’t be a ‘filling time’ role for anyone. It may not be a forever role, but it is a job worth putting effort into – and in this respect, we must walk the walk as well as talking the talk as we prove this to our young workforce.

The payback will be significant, both for us and for them.

We have a fabulous interview coming up in the September 2024 edition of RIDE HIGH magazine that explains what it really takes to be a superstar instructor. I urge you to sign up now, for free, at ridehighmagazine.com/#Subscribe

 About Uffe Asbjørn Olesen

Uffe is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a passion for health wellness and fitness industry, sales and marketing. He is currently the CEO of Body Bike.