We're lucky to have some of the best instructors going, here at Inspire but their amazing classes are created through a lot of hard work. Let's talk about the secret sauce of programming — it's definitely more art than science!
Teaching both in the Rumble Room + the Cycle Room, Hayley knows how to create those magical moments where everyone in the class, from newbies to advance, feel like they're exactly where they need to be!
What are the essential parts of programming?
Whether I’m planning spin/box/reformer or mat, I always have an overall “theme” that I will focus on in that class. For example; if the theme is a core focused class, throughout the workout I will try to bring movements back to the core where possible. Every exercise/movement doesn’t need to get the client to fatigue. I like to work toward a big peak at the end of the class.
The muscles have then experienced extended time under tension, rather than programming 100 squats after a warm up for example. If you gas the client out in the first few minutes of class, the quality of movements that will follow will not be the best.
Music is a fundamental part of an Inspire class — does that shape the class flow?
Music is everything! I think having experience with music/different types of music and how it truly does contribute to the environment is like a superpower! My Spotify is overflowing with 300+ playlists that I have made over the years. You would never catch me playing a Reformer Flow playlist for a Rumble Room class. You want the music vibes to match the movement you have programmed for the room. The lights, music and class structure all intertwine with each other to offer the client an overall amazing experience.
How do you come up with combos — for both boxing and cycle?
This is a good one. Honestly it just depends on my mood. I might have seen
something doom scrolling socials that inspires me, then I would take that and that would be my “theme” and I would build that class around whatever that might be. Other times I just get in the Rumble Room and jump on the bag, throw my fav hyper-fixation song on for that day and just feel out some combos. For spin, I do have a class structure that does stay the same for most of my classes. Everyone knows track 3 is a FAST jog, I think people appreciate consistency in that aspect — it gives them something to work towards.
At the start of a spin class, I always remind people this isn’t something they might get today, it's something to work towards. One minute you ride saddle for track 3, next thing you know you're out of our seat for the whole song.
I love seeing the client’s progress in that way!
How are you able to keep the class challenging for our regulars but welcoming for our beginners?
Like I mentioned above, with spin in particular I keep that structure so regulars have an idea of what’s coming. In saying that though, my classes are always challenging. I think you have to teach to the strongest person in the room.
I always offer regressions just as much as I offer progressions. I like to create a safe and welcoming environment for all fitness levels. Everyone starts somewhere, as long as you are willing to meet me half way and give your best then we can go somewhere.
Where do you find inspiration for your programming?
So many places / people... other instructors is a big one for me. I definitely work hard to keep my knowledge and ideas fresh. I like to practice what I preach. Everyday, I try to move my body in a way that feels good for me. Whether I’m spinning, boxing, pilates, lagree, dancing... I for sure love to get out into the community and experience different classes for myself. And of course social media, on that though I think as an instructor you can’t get in your head to much about programming these crazy, wild, exciting classes. Nine times out of ten, they don’t translate into real life very well anyway. Sometimes when I am feeling lost or out of ideas, I strip it back to basics and they are usually my favourite classes.
Great programming is more than just the coolest combos or pushing to lift the heaviest weights, it's about building connections and watching people grow.
Early morning or evening class? Doesn't matter — what counts is being present with the energy in the room.
This is where the magic happens!
What would you like to hear from us next?
Comments