Ep 59: Pump No More? The New Rules for Strength Classes
Listen on…
Programming real strength development training in the Group Fitness setting has always been a challenge.
But if you can do it well, it could be the biggest opportunity for you as a Group Fitness Instructor to attract a broad audience of people to your classes.
But how exactly do you achieve effective strength development when you're dealing with the constraints of the group fitness setting?
And why is the strength development audience so attractive?
In today's podcast, Will is talking with Sam Rider, Creative Lead for SH1FT, to tackle these questions head on. They’re taking a look at the evolution of strength training as a group fitness format, and how it has changed from the traditional barbell “pump” style class into something that far more closely resembles “gym floor” training. They’re also going to look at what we can learn from hugely successful strength training boutiques, and how we, at SH1FT Fitness, took all of these learnings to create L1FT back in 2018 - a strength development format that delivers real results using basic studio equipment.
Now, there's always been a fair amount of opposition towards strength development in the group fitness setting, particularly from PTs who argue, correctly, that you can't achieve the same strength gains in the group fitness setting as you can with a gym floor program.
But guess what? Most people aren't working out so that they can lift the heaviest weight possible. They're training to be fit, strong and healthy, and that’s something we can 100% achieve in the Group Fitness setting.
If you're a group fitness instructor that has any interest in teaching strength and conditioning based formats, definitely give this episode a listen.
Here’s a glance at this episode…
(05:10) What are the challenges for delivering true strength training in a GX format?
(07:28) Why is load important in strength training?
(10:50) Sam’s thoughts on Body Pump and how that impacts strength training
(18:20) The biggest differences between strength training in group settings now vs what it used to be
(24:15) What we can learn from the boutique strength brands
(30:30) The backstory and thought process around L1FT and how it was created
(35:35) The focuses and themes in the L1FT format and why they were chosen to achieve strength
(38:05) The impact of music in the changing landscape of GX strength training
(40:59) Why it’s better for strength building to do 3 heavy sets with rest rather than one 5-minute set
(43:32) Why workout variety and novelty is so important
(51:53) The long-term benefit of doing strength training
Links and References mentioned in this episode:
Follow Sam on Instagram
Will’s Facebook, Instagram and Email Address
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