Beyond Execution: Why Teaching Skills Matter More Than Perfect Technique

When most people think about fitness instructor training, the focus is usually on execution. Can you nail the choreography? Stay on beat? Keep the energy high? Certification programs across countless formats spend hours drilling the moves and the music — and don’t get me wrong, those things matter! But here’s the trap: many new instructors walk into their first class laser-focused on their own performance and have no idea how to actually teach the humans in front of them.

I know this firsthand. As a format creator, I fell into that rabbit hole myself. In the early days, I obsessed over the technique, the precision of the movements, and making sure the “show” looked good. What I didn’t realize is that perfect execution isn’t what keeps participants coming back — connection does. It took me time (and some humbling moments on the mic) to learn that the real art of group fitness is switching your focus away from yourself and onto your participants.

Think about it: studies show that 65% of people who try a group fitness class never come back for a second one. Not because the moves were wrong, but because they didn’t feel seen, supported, or successful. In contrast, retention skyrockets when instructors acknowledge participants by name, give small motivational cues, or adapt to individual needs. In other words — the “magic” isn’t in perfect squats or flawless choreography, it’s in helping the person in row three feel like this class was made for them.

So here’s my encouragement to every new instructor: yes, learn the steps. Yes, know your format inside and out. But then take a deep breath and shift your focus. Look up. Scan the room. Notice who’s smiling, who’s struggling, who needs a high five, and who just needs a little nudge.

Because teaching fitness isn’t all that different from stand-up comedy. Imagine a comedian who memorized their entire monologue and delivered it word-for-word without ever adjusting to the audience. No pauses for laughter, no reading the room, no playful riff when something unexpected happens. Would you go back for a second show? Probably not.

Group fitness works the same way. Execution matters, but connection is what keeps people coming back. Classes aren’t defined by flawless execution, but by how well you read the room, adjust, and make every participant feel part of it.

If you’re looking to take these ideas from theory into practice, I’d love to connect with you. I offer live workshops, private coaching sessions, and team trainings that bring these skills to life.

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