TALKBACK

everyone’s talking about . . .

external instructors

I

Most health clubs and leisure centres use external instructors to take classes, but do we get the most from them by making them feel part of the team? Kath Hudson investigates

used to work as a freelance massage therapist in a number of different locations and it was interesting to see the varying

attitudes towards freelancers. Some places really embraced me as part of the team, which gave me a sense of loyalty to them – even if the pay wasn’t so good – whereas others didn’t even know my name. The place where I used to work several times a week was so offhand when I left to have a baby that I felt a real second-rater and didn’t return. External instructors make up a large

tranche of the health club workforce and clubs do rely on them: it makes sense to employ specialist freelance

yoga, pilates and Muay Thai kickboxing instructors, for example, when there might only be a couple of classes a week. This allows a higher standard of instructor to be drafted in, paying for the relevant sessions only, rather than using an in-house all-rounder. One of the good things about

freelancers is that, as an employer, you don’t have to worry about motivating them: they provide a good service as their livelihood depends on it. Many have an unrelated day job and taking classes – sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm – is their passion. However, just because they don’t have to be motivated doesn’t mean

to say they don’t like to feel valued. Working freelance can be lonely, so making them feel part of the team would be appreciated. Bear in mind, too, that good

instructors are like hairdressers: once people fi nd one they like, they tend to follow them around, even if this means joining a different gym. External instructors might be easily dispensed with, but they can just as easily choose to work elsewhere. Making sure they’re treated as

equals – included in company events, known personally by all the team and with their work promoted – are simple ways to integrate external staff.

HOW SHOULD OPERATORS MANAGE EXTERNAL INSTRUCTORS? EMAIL US: HEALTHCLUB@LEISUREMEDIA.COM

raul aparici

soho gyms • group operations manager

but must be managed properly and engaged with the rest of the operation. We’ve always gone out of our way to make our freelance instructors feel welcome. They have their pick of gyms and choose to work for us, so we want to keep our end of the deal.

“F

We treat them as a key part of the team: offer good rates,

pay them on time and invite them to functions and events. We encourage them to come up with new concepts and grow their class as if it were their own. They are known to all the staff, who are also encouraged to attend the classes so they can promote them to members in bookshop-style reviews. Teaching classes is a specialist job, which is why we contract

it out. Our freelancers are at the top of their game and all want our gyms to succeed. Their views on the business and interaction with members are priceless: a lot of our members will join just to take one or two weekly classes with a particular instructor. Many freelancers have day jobs, and teaching is their passion. You know they’re looking forward to coming in and delivering a great experience for members.

”

reelancers promote adherence and deliver an incredible product,

jean-ann marnoch

register of exercise professionals • registrar

“I

was a freelance instructor for 25 years and I felt very much a part of

the club. This was largely down to me, as I chose to socialise there afterwards, but it was a very friendly environment. I brought people to my class, as I had a bit of a following, but they also did well at selling it – putting my picture on the wall and telling members to go to my class.

Health clubs tend to do what’s most cost-effective and I

think, at the moment, gym instructors tend to be permanent staff, group exercise instructors are more likely to be external, and the personal trainers tend to be a bit of both depending on the recruiting model used by the club. Although I think it’s absolutely right for clubs to invest in

their staff so they’re able to take more of the classes, I think one of the good things about using external instructors is that it can refresh the timetable and send a buzz around the club. However, clubs need to have a good interview process to assess instructors’ skills and ensure they’re REPs-registered. Once they’ve found a good teacher, it is important for clubs to respect them and reward them accordingly: whether they’re internal or external, good teachers make for loyal members.

24 Read Health Club Management online healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital

kath hudson • journalist • health club management

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