Although this is an amazing industry perk, there are some expecta- tions that you should be aware of.
Apply: You have to complete an application and submit a copy of your certification to the travel company. These companies have been extremely professional and easy to work with:
www.fitnessprotravel. com,
www.nrg2go.net,
http://fitbodiesinc.com.
1. Registration fee: Most of the fitness resort travel companies charge a small registration fee per trip of about $300 to $400 total, plus ask that you bring a gift to the resort hotel (about $150 gift fund). Still an incredible deal considering you will receive accommodations, food, and alcohol for free for you and a guest for the entire week. And remember, you still have to pay for your own flights. Fortunately, for many of my trips, I’ve been able to use frequent flier points so my vacations end up costing almost nothing!
2. Promotion: A resort is not going to see the value of continuing a guest instructor contract if no resort guests are attending the classes. So it is expected and extremely important that you have fliers listing your classes and time slots posted throughout the resort in high- profile locations. It’s also important to personally invite people to your classes. If you do a good job, your class numbers should build throughout your week.
3. Variety: It’s helpful and often required that you teach a variety of classes for the resort. So you might teach a morning cardio and muscle bootcamp class, an afternoon aquafit class, and an evening yoga or pilates session. Many of the resorts will allow you to cus- tomize the class schedule based on your specialties but most require some variety. Each resort will list specific requirements but most like to see a yoga/pilates option, an aquafit class option, and a cardio/
muscle class format. Dance classes like Zumba are also becoming a requested class format.
4. Customer service: You are still recognized as one of the staff so be ready to answer questions and be able to direct guests to an actual staff person who can help them. Get to know people’s names and where they are from. Encourage people, applaud them for working out on their vacation, foster the development of friendships among participants and create a fun, inspiring environment. I will often finish my yoga sessions with a little foot massage for
some extra TLC or finish a workout session with a group huddle and cheer or have them stop for a few moments to look around at the beauty around them and to have them appreciate how lucky they are to be able to enjoy such a wonderful location. Bottom line: We’ve got to act professionally and take really great care of people so we can enhance their vacation.
Fitness Resort Travel is definitely an industry perk that I hope you can take advantage of in 2011!
Sherri McMillan,
M.Sc. has been inspiring the world to adopt a fitness lifestyle for over 20 years and has received numerous industry awards including 2010 canfitpro International Fitness Presenter of the Year, 2006 IDEA Fitness Director of the Year, 1998 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, 1998 canfitpro Fitness Presenter of the Year and 2005/2006 ACE Fitness Educator of the Year - Runner up. As a fitness trainer, fitness columnist for various magazines and newspapers, author of five books and manuals including "Go For Fit - the Winning Way to Fat Loss", "Fit over Forty" & "The Successful Trainers Guide to Marketing", featured presenter in various fitness DVDs, and international fitness presenter, she is a spokesperson for Nike, Twist Conditioning and PowerBar. She can be reached at
www.nwFitnessEducation.com
MARCH/APRIL 2011 canfitpro 29
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