On being a fitness instructor (it’s a lot cheaper to just buy a warmer sweater…)
I became a fitness instructor by accident.
Really.
I took a job at a local gym and while my coworkers bounced, jumped and twirled in the near by studio, I filed papers, answered phones and well, cleaned bathrooms. It wasn’t that I thought it was going to be a glamorous job, but I was also cold. One thing no one seems to think about is how cold a gym is for someone who is not bouncing, jumping or twirling. And the person who is not doing the moving doesn’t think that small detail through until much too late.
I wanted to be warm. So I signed up for a CanFitPro certification course in Toronto thinking it would fly by (it didn’t), it would be short (it wasn’t) and that it would be easy. (It wasn’t).
Soon, I was “uming” my way through aerobics choreography at the front of a studio to a stern looking proctor after handing her proof that I really did pass the written portion. The practical portion went horribly, but suddenly I was cast in front of a studio full of expectant (and paying) faces. Which is where the art of BS that can only come from having an English degree was mustered.
Almost a year later, I am shooting the breeze with my clients and have a Pilates and Spin Certification added onto my FIS. (Fitness Instructor Certification) I also have a host of catch phrases in my arsenal.
In a spin class: How are your shoulders? Are they back and down? You are working at about a level 8, yes?
In a glider class: Think of the abs you will have after this! I am right here with you, KEEP PUSHING! (On second thought, I maybe should have been a delivery nurse…)
In a Pilates class: Use your breath, inhale…exhale. Engage your pelvic floor. (Yes…sometimes it is hard to teach with a straight face. Pilates is riddled with sexual innuendos. )
In a Cardio Fusion class: Those burpees won’t do themselves…MOVE IT! HA! HA! HA! (I am not laughing at my clients, rather speaking to them as horses….it’s a Mennonite thing).
I change my clothes an average of 5 times a day and I have a separate drawer for sports bras.
I take upwards to 3 showers a day and carry batteries in my purse for my microphone.
4 am is an acceptable wake up time.
I eat approximately 3 x more than the average female and have mastered the art of changing in front of someone without them actually seeing anything.
I still suck at the grapevine.
I love it though. Some weeks it can be a bit taxing but all in all, I love the people, the atmosphere and the free gym memberships. 🙂
I have to say though, if you are cold at work, it is a lot cheaper to buy a warmer sweater.
Have a fabulous weekend, dearies. I am headed to a cottage to spend the weekend snowboarding with my family. May you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend.
Delaney says
“Which is where the art of BS that can only come from having an English degree was mustered.” Love it. I’m glad to know I’m not the only undergrad to come away with such a skill.
Jessica says
You are certainly NOT. I am sure there is a raft of us out in the world. 🙂
Dan B. says
Great to hear you are still so active Jess! Keep it going and put our English degrees to some use!
Jessica says
For sure! It is a perfect meld with my sports journalism. Using BS to make a living – one day at a time. 😛
1970kikiproject says
wow, sounds like you have an interesting background, jess, in terms of schooling and work experience!
so true about the gym being COLD if you are not working out! maybe get hot yoga certification?!!
have a great weekend at the cottage!
Jessica says
Hot yoga – that would work wonders for my lack of flexibility! 🙂
raspberrykitsch says
bloody hell jess!! I don’t know how you’re doing it! And are you working at the journal place too still? or have you stopped to do this full time? I’m feeling so lazy in comparison!! ballet only just started again after the christmas holidays and i literally had to DRAG myself there… think working in a studio full of guys is making me just want to eat rubbish all the time and do no exercise! Recipe for disaster/obesity.
Hope you’re well 🙂 xx
Jessica says
Your job sounds awesome though! I am loving reading about!
And yes, Journalism is my true passion, but I am doing this on the side to help pay the bills 🙂