Are You Performing or Teaching? The Biggest Trap Group Fitness Instructors Fall Into

Are You Performing or Teaching? The Biggest Trap Group Fitness Instructors Fall Into

One of the most common traps group fitness instructors fall into is putting performance above teaching. It’s natural — you’re on stage, the music is pumping, the room is watching. The instinct is to perfect every move, every look, every beat. But when the focus shifts too heavily toward performing for the class instead of guiding the class, participants can lose the very thing they came for: instruction, coaching, and connection.

Certified, but Not Prepared to Teach

So often, instructors get certified to teach a specific format, but those trainings focus mostly on execution — how to do the choreography, how to perform the moves, how to stay on the beat. What’s often missing is the actual teaching element: how to cue effectively, how to observe the room, how to adapt to different needs, and how to connect with participants on a human level. Without those tools, many instructors default to “just performing” because that’s what they’ve been trained to do.

My Own Experience with the Trap

I know this struggle personally. I’ve been a performer my entire life — a singer in a band, I’ve done theater, stand-up comedy, and improv. Being on stage and giving energy to a crowd feels natural to me. But stepping into a group fitness studio, I realized that same instinct could actually become a trap. It’s easy to fall into the mindset of putting on a show. What I’ve learned is that the goal isn’t to perform for the class, it’s to channel that energy into the class — to direct it toward the participants so they feel empowered, successful, and motivated. That’s when performance becomes teaching.

70% Teaching, 30% Performing: The Sweet Spot

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t entertain. Energy, charisma, and presence matter — they set the tone and keep people engaged. But the sweet spot is balance. Think of it this way: if your attention is 100% on performing, you’re not really teaching. Instead, aim to split your energy: about 30% on entertainment and performance, and 70% on actual teaching — coaching, cueing, observing, and connecting. When your participants feel seen, supported, and successful, they’ll return again and again, not because you “looked perfect” but because you helped them feel accomplished.

Want to keep learning with me?
I host live workshops and seminars where we dive deeper into topics like motivation, presence, and teaching vs. performing. To see upcoming dates, make sure to follow me on SweatNow first — that’s where I post my full schedule.
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