A method to the madness

There’s something to be said for doing what you love, regardless of pay, versus doing what you do because it pays the bills.

Now, let me preface this by saying that my “PR Goddess” day job does indeed pay the bills and is something I think I’m pretty darn good at, don’t get me wrong. But, I am struck by how much I’m loving this Kick experience, regardless of whatever pay I end up making as a result.

Which made me think – there must be a reason being a group fitness instructor isn’t exactly a well-paying side gig (at least from what I’ve heard).  And the reason I’ve come up with? To commit to teaching a group fitness class, you have to love it regardless and not be looking to make an extra buck or two. Good thing I very much fall into that camp!

As my sister pointed out on our commute to the office this morning, teaching a group fitness class involves so much more than just that hour or two each week you’re in the gym actually teaching the class. There are countless hours practicing each week, prepping your tracks and amping yourself up for the big show. Never mind all of the training that goes into being a fitness instructor to begin with (as you all have witnessed right here with me!).

So while it might appear that gyms are just cheap and not willing to pay much for group fitness instructors, the truth is, I think there’s a method to the madness. I think that’s how they find those passionate, energized and motivating instructors that will pass that passion and energy on to their students. THAT is what makes a good instructor a great one.

Anyway, that’s my take but I’d love your opinions too, especially if you are a group fitness instructor. I’m wondering if pay varies by gym or if its pretty standard that pay rates are pretty low. Again – I don’t want this to sound like I’m in it for the money because I’m very clearly not, I would honestly teach Kick for free because I love it that much and it feeds my need to share my passion for fitness with others (along with this blog of course!). My convo with my sis this morning just got me thinking, that’s all…

It’s time for change

So I went to Group Power this morning which I haven’t been to in quite awhile (probably 2 months or so? gee I wonder why?!). I’ve been faithfully doing the STS undulating rotation lately for my weight training regime but thought this week would be a good one to get back into Power. Plus, part of me wants to be even more visible at the gym, in addition to the Kick classes, just so folks get used to seeing my face around more and more often. Couldn’t hurt, right?

Boy, was I totally surprised by how much I struggled during class this morning. Granted, I was working off less-than-optimal sleep after staying up to watch the Superbowl, but still, I was burning and struggling through every repetition, no matter what body part we were working. I was, quite honestly, pretty stunned by it. I mean, I’ve noticed some good strength gains from all the STS work so I thought Power would be a good challenge but not a struggle, but I totally felt myself struggling. What the?!

After class, I was mulling it over with my sis on the walk out to our cars and I think I’ve figured it out, well two things, really. First – I think I may be getting a little bit lax at home when weight training. I’m working pretty hard during those STS workouts but I think I’ve gotten into a bit of a “routine” and I’m not pushing myself as hard as I would if I were at the gym in front of others. Second – I think my body is no longer “shocked” by STS since I’ve been doing it for over a year. The whole point of STS is that it’s a shock to the system but if I’m no longer feeling “shocked,”  I’m thinking it’s time for a change (sadly since I LOVE STS so much!).

I”m thinking I’ll continue with Power 2-3x a week if I can fit it in, in between cardio (Kick – duh; Ride and the good ‘ol treadmill which I must return to if I’m ever going to run a half marathon this fall, per my resolution!).  I can definitely use all the strength gains I can get to power me through those Kick workouts – especially all the lunges and squats in track 3 and 5.

So that’s my goal for the next couple of weeks, I’m hoping for a good return to that “shocked” feeling, you know? I think my body misses it.

In other news – my sis and I are scheduled to teach two classes together this week – one on Thursday morning and the other on Saturday morning. Thursday there will be three of us teaching and Saturday there will be four of us, it should be fun! Next week I think we’ll drop to two instructors per class. All sounds well and good right? Well – now I need to scramble to get used to cuing all the other tracks I’ve not been focusing on while prepping for launch and the tracks I needed to nail for that. Guess what I’m doing tonight after cooking some dinner for my sis and I? You got it, cue cue cue!

LAUNCHED!

We did it!!!! We finally launched Group Kick at our gym, and it was as amazing as I’d hoped it would be.

Somehow, despite this morning’s launch experience, it still hasn’t quite hit me.

We did this.

Wait…we are DOING this.

Just 8 weeks ago this was just a seed of an idea in our minds, we both were intrigued when we first heard they were looking for potential Kick instructors at our gym. But, it was just that, a seed of an idea. Who knew that we’d end up in this awesome, crazy, intense, scary and challenging journey and that we’d jump in feet first? I guess I just always thought it’d be something I’d want to do but would never actually DO it.

So, for that alone, I’m very proud that we DID take that initial plunge despite being super-nervous and afraid of the unknown challenge ahead. Secretly, I worried that I’d fail – not at learning the moves and the technique, but that I’d fail to be the instructor I envisioned in my mind that I could be. I’ve always loved working out, but to convey that passion to others? Well, now that’s just another story altogether. And granted, I KNOW I still have a long way to go in terms of truly being the instructor that I want to be but I’ll save that worry for another day. For now, I’m relishing in today’s accomplishment – the big, bad LAUNCH.

The energy in the room today equaled Thursday night’s sneak peek class but THANKFULLY it wasn’t nearly as hot in there as the last class and we limited how many were able to take the class so the room was a wee bit less cramped than before. Plus, our fitness director had us all standing up front, two on the stage, and the rest on either side. It looked pretty badass, not gonna lie. Especially when we were all in sync, which was most of the time from what I could tell.

What was even better for me this time around? I took a moment to look around the room during the workout, and was so pleased to see those sweaty faces working so hard to keep up with us. They were clearly stunned by the intensity – I think a few even left the class early (!) – and were totally impressed by the heart-pumping cardio workout they’d all received. At the end of the class, while mulling around talking to the other gym members, it was awesome to hear their positive feedback! They were so excited, they loved it, they thought it was awesome, etc.

THAT to me was a total home-run moment. This is how I want to convey my passion for fitness with my students – I want them to leave NOTHING on that kickboxing floor at the end of the class. I want them to feel as spent (if not more spent) than I do at the end of the workout and I want them to give it their all. That’s my goal. Give me all you have, leave nothing behind.

Speaking of spent, I’m pooped! We went out for a celebratory lunch and drinks after class with a few of the instructors where I had me some lovely sangria and a salad with grilled shrimp. I’m trying to muster up the energy to do a few errands before heading to a celebratory dinner at my mom’s which I’ve been looking forward to ALL WEEK. Her boyfriend makes these amazing burgers – we call them MARKBURGERS, aptly named after him, of course – he literally grinds his own hamburger meat out of steaks. Um, YUM?! They are seriously the best burger you’ll ever eat. And I plan to eat every last bite. Yum.

(Note – you can click on the pics in this gallery for a caption, I’m testing out the “Picture Gallery” setting in WordPress, hoping it works out ok!)

Now THAT was a rush

Holy crap. Now THAT was a rush.

I’m still on such an incredible endorphin-infused adrenalin high from last night, it’s kind of unreal. I honestly don’t think I’ve felt anything quite like it in my life – and you know how much I love my “runners high” more than anything – well last night topped any runner’s high I’ve ever experienced.

The room at Kick was PACKED to the brim, we were expecting maybe 32 people to come to the sneak peek (based on the sign-up sheet) but once we got started, there were 48 people in the room PLUS us Kick instructors. And the room is just not equipped to hold that many kicking, jumping and jabbing people! It was an incredible sea of movement, I’ve never seen anything quite so beautiful.

Needless to say, I was on such an endorphin high that I was seriously gasping for air almost the entire time, even when I wasn’t up there teaching/cuing my tracks. By the time we got to the last muay thai track which is SUPER high energy with a great song (Faster, Harder, Scooter) to keep everyone moving, I dug as deep as I could to really jam that last working track out. I probably did that jump cross higher than I’ve ever done it, or at least that’s how it felt at the time.

It was awesome. I drank every last, sweaty second of that hour in and was just SO proud of all of us Kick team members, it’s been a long road, as you all well know by now. On the eve of the actual Launch tomorrow, I am so amped up and so excited to do my best ever tomorrow. I know I need to cue a little louder and to enunciate even more so the class follows along to each and every move. But, with each sneak peek we’ve done, I’ve felt a little bit better and a little bit stronger at cuing.

And damn, I better be great at it by next Thursday- my sis and I are teaching our first solo class that morning and um, well, I still  have to practice cuing about half the tracks since the past few weeks we’ve ONLY focused on the ones we needed to for the launch. Eeep.

Anyway, I’m ready to rock and roll through this day, if I can get my heart to stop racing that is! I’m telling you, that high has long-lasting effects. Which I totally needed at Group Ride this morning. Talk about painful after missing out on class for the past two weeks due to Kick!

A blogger shout-out and random Kick musings

Wow.

I feel SO loved after reading all of your awesome comments from my post yesterday. My plea for help was definitely heard and I totally appreciate it!! It reminded me that yes, I was being irrational but it also reminded me that I’m not the only one that faces those “own worst enemy” thoughts rolling around in my head. You all feel it too, and I’m so thankful that in such a short period of time I’ve found some great blog friends who are always willing to share a supportive comment or lesson learned. You ladies rock!

And now, I can’t help but give ya’ll a little shout-out to some of my favorites:

EatingBender (who I can’t wait to guest blog for!)

LauraDishes

HomeCookedEm

TheBalanceBroad

Where’s the Beach (my first blog “friend” and fellow Cathlete!)

The Tao of Me

PoiseinParma

IntheSkinny (who I’m so excited is returning to her own Group Kick roots!)

In my Tummy

In other random Kick musings (a regular occurrence on the blog these days, sorry ’bout that kids!), my sis and I are gearing up for another sneak peek class tonight before the big launch on Saturday. I managed to talk myself into buying yet *another* pair of those badass Lululemon pants yesterday (I just HAD to have a pair in black too, I mean c’mon) and was psyched to find them “on sale” for $79 bucks. So now I’ll have the black pair on with my Kick shirt (hopefully) and a black bandanna and black Kick wraps. How’s that for a badass chick, huh??

I’m totally excited (vs. nervous) for tonight and even more excited for Saturday.  The one thing that’s sorta bugging me but I’m trying not to let it is I only have one track to cue and one track to teach but not cue (with my sis aka ‘doublemint twin’ as our fitness director likes to call us). A couple of the others have at least two tracks to cue so I’m sorta wishing I had another track but alas, I will have my own class in just a week!

YES! That’s what I learned last night when we got the new group fitness schedule with Kick classes included on the line-up. At first, I sort of just glossed over it, the fact that my sis and I are going to be teaching a class together on Wednesday mornings (to start, probably another too?). But then I realized – wait a minute, I. HAVE. A. CLASS. I did it! I didn’t fail. I didn’t back out. I did this. I am SO proud and excited – what my sis and I have accomplished in just two months is just so awesome, I am like glowing now that it’s settled in. Of course, we still have the big scary video assessment to turn in by March 13 but I’m trying to ignore that for now. Savoring the little victories along the way first.

My own worst enemy (again)

Hmph.

I’m fighting myself again today. Remember how I told you last week how HARD it is for me to give in to a rest day? And, after seeing that I hadn’t given myself one for the entire month of January (totally by accident), I took one last Saturday? Well, I have a case of my-own-worst-enemy syndrome (again).

Two things are running around in my brain this morning and it’s driving me nuts. What better way to get those thoughts OUT of my head than to blog about it, right?

So, here goes:

• I’ve been super-hungry lately. And I KNOW it’s mostly due to the increase in activity tied to all the Kick practice and sneak peeks but in my head, I worry if I eat TOO much more than I normally do, that somehow I’ll gain weight (I know, totally irrational.)
• And, I’ve been extra tired the past two weeks as well. With a sneak peek class tomorrow night in preparation for Saturday’s big launch, I was starting to worry that I’d be too tired to do my best and was considering moving my STS back/biceps workout from tomorrow morning to Saturday morning. Now, what’s wrong with that, you ask? Um, absolutely nothing. But for some reason it’s totally bothering me, like I’m a slacker if I sleep in a wee bit tomorrow and save my strength training for the weekend when I’ll have more time.

What is my problem?? I already know I am my own worst enemy but this is downright irrational thinking. And the worst part is? I know it’s silly and irrational, yet I can’t let go. I’m blaming it on my addictive personality and Type-A tendencies at work, but in total overdrive. And it’s got to stop. I truly love to workout and enjoy fitting as much exercise in as I can so there should be nothing wrong with postponing a workout in favor of some extra zzz’s or eating an extra snack if I’m hungry.

This goes back to my “balanced” mindset – but why, oh why, does it fly out the window during moments like this? I know, I’m totally beating myself up over it, or seemingly so, but I’m really just trying to get my thoughts down and out of my head so I can make sense of them. So far, I’m still not making sense of them but at least there’s less running around in my head, for the moment, anyway.

I guess what I’m saying is – I need your help! Suggestions, reasons why, or just a virtual slap to bring me back to reality, maybe? Hellllp!

“Embrace the sweat”

In my sister’s oh-so-wise words this morning, I definitely needed to “Embrace the Sweat.”

I got so caught up in my own thoughts running around in my head about all the items on my to-do list that seem to be piling up on me again that I wasn’t even enjoying this morning’s workout. How sad is that? I LOVE to workout, this much you all know, so why ruin it by letting my cluttered, stressed thoughts override the power of a good sweatfest?

Especially during one of my favorite STS workouts – it’s in the meso 2 series and its a leg workout. It was one of those love-to-hate workouts too. It’s filled with a series of trisets – basically three sets of three leg exercises done back-to-back three times. Rest, move on to the next triset of a different set of three exercises done back-to-back before moving on to the final triset, topped off with calf raises (which are already screaming at me, I might add). I swear, meso 2 leg workouts are probably the most intense and sweat-inducing leg workouts of the entire STS series, and I love every minute. So I kicked myself halfway through after my sister’s text comment about “embracing the sweat” and ended up with a great latter half to the workout. I must say, I think I love leg workouts best of all weight training workouts. Though, I’m also partial to a good bicep and shoulder weight lifting routine, too.

So yeah, I have got to get away from letting outside thoughts clutter up my workouts – they are my ME time, I’m doing myself a total disservice by not embracing every sweaty minute, am I right?

On that note, I’m off to plow through a jam-packed day before heading out for some Kick training – we’re focusing on kicks tonight in preparation for *another* sneak peek on Thursday night followed by, dum dum dummmm, the big LAUNCH on Saturday! Wahoo!! I seriously can’t believe it’s almost here, I’m so excited, and, not gonna lie, really proud of all my sister and I have accomplished in such a short amount of time. Go us. Annnd, we should have our Kick tanks for Saturday so I’ll even feel more badass with my gear on from head-to-toe – I promise to take a picture of my sis and I before we head over to the launch. It’ll be a goody.

We have two under our belt…now what?

Big question on my mind:

We have two (Kick sneak peek classes) under our belt…now what?

I mean, I know “what’s” next, literally, but now “what” in terms of what do I have left to REALLY hone to be the kickass Kick instructor I SO want to be?

But let me back up a sec. Today’s sneak peek class? A TOTAL adrenalin rush! The room was full – probably 30 newbies plus us instructors. One of my favorites (and Jo’s) came out to support us today too – THANK YOU Meg for giving it your all. It made such a difference to have at least one familiar face in the crowd rooting us on. So thank you again for that. You rock!!

The class went off without any MAJOR snafus, aside from a little “off” timing on track 4 which is the kick track. But, I totally blame it on the fact that our fitness director changed up who was teaching that track. It was originally my sister who has owned that one from the beginning but today one of the other instructors was surprised to find that she’d be teaching that track instead. So needless to say, she wasn’t as prepared and thus, was “off.” I’d argue that if my sis had taught the track as originally scheduled, it would’ve gone off perfectly, but I digress…more on my annoyance about that later.

I have to say, it was kind of amusing to see everyone in the class sort of struggling, mostly because they were SHOCKED at just how intense the class really is. They’re used to the “bouncy” aerobic version of kickboxing most gyms have on the group fitness schedule. Dancy, bouncy, Kick is NOT. Kick is intense, rough, FAST, aggressive. It was a wee bit rewarding to see how hard they were all working because WE were pushing them beyond their expectations. It was even MORE rewarding when I put it into perspective – that was US just a couple of months ago. We had that deer-in-the-headlights “WTF” face going on when we first saw Kick in action. And now? We got this. We totally do.

Two things I wanted to circle back to. One – my annoyance with our fitness director; and two – the “now what” question lingering in the back of my mind.

So, I have to give our fitness director credit. She juggles a LOT of balls (she teaches Group Power, a slew of yoga and pilates classes, plus private instruction pilates classes and manages the entire BTS Group fitness program at our gym. That includes Group Ride, Group Power and now, Group Kick – making sure we’re ready for each quarterly launch, etc.). You’d think she’d be uber organized as a result. That, she is not. Which is fine, not everyone is as Type A as me. BUT, her scattered-ness tends to work against us trainees now and then. Today’s switch-out of track 4 is a good example of that. She changed that up last night and sent us an email – problem was, the girl who was taking that track didn’t see the email (it was sent to her work email which she doesn’t have access to on weekends), so she was at a disadvantage. Plus, because our fitness director is scattered, she’s all over the place with feedback and it’s something that I always want more of – constructive, individualized criticism so I can improve and get BETTER. I haven’t had enough of that and it’s been a little frustrating. I can’t say I can blame her but still. So – to allay my frustration, I did send her a side note today to see if she could give me (and my sis) some much-needed critique as we near the finish line that is launch.

Ok, now on to the “now what” question – as my sis commented on our walk out to the car after class, we are SO close, we just have to get over that final hump. And that hump to me? It’s still the letting go factor – I need to have FUN up there. I am so focused on cuing LOUDLY and properly and aggressively that I’ve forgotten to have fun. I don’t even think I smiled much while I was teaching my track. What’s that about?? This is my passion, my dream, I should be beaming from ear-to-ear! I mean, really! Plus, now that I know the choreography and my technique is coming along, it’s time to release it all, leave nothing left on that stage and just go for it. So THAT, my friends, is my “now what” moment. Let go. Let go. Let go. LET’S GO!

We ‘kicked some’

Rock on! Just catching my breath after today’s “preview” class for club employees only and we totally rocked it! I mean, there are definitely kinks to work out still but, all in all, it was a GREAT class! I am still riding such a high!! I totally feel like I can do this now. Even though there were only a handful (ok, three) non-Kick instructors in the room, it was awesome!! Sunday is the real test of “can we do this” but after tonight, I am confident that we can totally ROCK it out on Sunday too.

The big thing for me was nailing my track, getting every cue down and keeping everyone pumped since I’m right at the beginning of the class. I *think* I accomplished that and was so surprised at how much “easier” it felt once I stopped thinking and starting doing. Seeing unfamiliar faces in the room, looks of “ok, what’s next” made me cue even tighter. Watching their faces as they recognized the next move to come was so cool! And kinda funny too, they’ll really do ANYTHING you’ll tell them to do. We were joking after that we could’ve picked our nose and they’d have followed suit (I know, so gross right? LOL).

Anyway, I’m clearly slap-happy over here so I’ll keep it short. I just had to fill ya’ll in because I’m SO EXCITED that this next step towards being a “real” instructor went so well. High five to my sis who did pretty fab too. Can’t wait to “kick some” more on Sunday…not gonna lie, though, REALLY looking forward to the big rest day tomorrow. I’m pooped!

Gearing up…

…for the big Kick “preview class” weekend! I’m surprisingly not all that nervous for it (yet!). I’m hoping for an adrenalin rush that will push us all to really showcase our badass talent after all this hard Kick work we’ve been doing!

I actually think we’ll do really well and will be able to “let go” more once we’re in front of real people. Tonight will be easier than Sunday since its only fellow instructors from our gym that will be there. Once we nail that, I think Sunday’s “sneak peek” will be the real test – in front of regular gym members and non-members who are trying out the class for the very first time.

A couple of us met this morning to run through the tracks, we all sort of regretted it at first since we’re feeling pretty beat, tired, etc (and it’s utterly FREEZING here, 15 degrees at most). But once we got going (we didn’t go as hard as normal either, to save ourselves for tonight), we felt better that we’d gotten some extra practice in…at least I know I did!

So now I’m desperately trying to focus on work (but sort of failing miserably at it)…I’m totally consumed by how tonight will go. Seriously, I have the Kick songs running on my iPod and I’m obsessed with my tracks, I want them to be rock solid! I’m also starving and totally craving a BIG breakfast – you know, the kind with scrambled eggs, and home fries and toast and fresh fruit? Been on my mind for days now, it’s killing me!!

Sorry, this was a totally random, not all that exciting post, but I had to do something to jot down my thoughts about Kick so I can hopefully focus on jamming out the last few hours of work today. Thanks for bearing with me on this one, hehe.