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Hi there Les Mills fans!
I am in much need of honest opinions! I can't see you and you can't see me so say whatever you feel!
Ok, well I have been a very enthusiastic participant of Les Mills classes for over a year now, and in that time my life has changed incredibly. I have dropped 30 kilos and gained so much confidence. My dream is to get further into the world of Les Mills and become an instructor, though I still have a bit more weight to lose, I really can't wait. Should I wait until I have lost the remaining weight, or go for it since I am fit and motivated enough? Would my size majorly impact on the way other instructors and participants percieve me? I am very passionate about Body Attack in particular and I really want to inspire and help others reach their goals just as my instructors and Attack did for me.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Natalie

Hey there!  I am a pump and attack instructor... all 5'4" (1.63m) and 175 lbs. (80 kilo) of me.  All of my fellow instructors are much smaller (weight-wise) than myself but that has never seemed to matter to them or to the class participants.  FIT comes in many shapes and sizes.  I have known plenty of size 2 people who are incredibly unhealthy!  Use your accomplishments as motivation and continuously work on improving your own fitness levels... and quit measuring it by society's scale.  Besides... there is nothing like *teaching* attack to help pull off those few persistent pounds (or kilos).  A warning though... if you are already an attack participant, you know it can be rough on feet, knees, and ankles.  If you are an instructor you get less chance to take the options and are likely to increase your impact level in order to "role-model" technique.  With extra weight on your frame... your feet, knees, and ankles have to take more abuse.  Attack is a VERY difficult program to teach.  I have heard from several people that it is MUCH easier to start with pump and then take on attack.  There have been those who start with attack first... but it is not easy!  Best of luck to you!  Let us know how it goes!

 

Sarah

Hey Natalie!

First of all, well done on your success!  I know how hard it is to shift weight.  Like you, I loss a lot of weight through my passion for Les Mills (Pump, Combat, Balance) and yes, became an instructor of all 3.  Even though there are instructors younger and skinnier than me, I still pack the classes.  Why?  Because I believe in the programme(s) and have the passion to teach them.  THAT is the most important thing.  If you are fit, you should go for it.   Don't worry about the other instructors.  It is a competitive ol' world out there.  If the catty ones have a problem with you, please remember that these are the types that would find fault in anyone -- not matter how large or small.  

Christy 

Hello. First of all I say go for it!  Im sure you can get through the class just fine!

 But I would also say never give up on your fitness goals.  Some people will not care about the way you look.  Some people are scared and intimidated by a super fit instructor, and I know that some people WANT  a fit instructor and someone in great shape.  So it goes different for everyone.

 That being said..... i think that all instructors should train on thier own time and constantly push to break down thier fitness barriers.  I think that I am in great shape and teach a great class but I also know that I am not in peak physical fitness either.  I could be better.  and if i do succeed in getting even better and more fit, then I will be able to give a better and even more fulfilling class to my members.  (an instructor who is bent over with hands on knees is not that inspiring!)

So become and instructor!  and keep losing weight untill you can give a superb performance and hang with the big dogs you see on your training vidoes. 

and keep training!

Heart, passion, spirit..these are the things Body Attack are about. Sounds like you have them all! I say GO FOR IT!

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Bobbi BA Instructor Since 07

I'm so glad someone asked this question! I always wonder about the same thing. I'm 5'6" and about 145 - 150 lbs. I'm about to go to training on the 19th of this month and have been nervous about my size. I'm not fat, but I guess I feel like I should be super fit-looking (even though I'm superfit) with a six-pack and NO fat. Maybe it's just the way our society is. It's true, though, that you do not have to be thin to be fit. I'm pretty much the fittest in all of my classes and I am not the smallest. You may be being hard on yourself like I am, as well. People really seem to perceive me differently than I perceive myself. Thanks for posting this! I feel so much better!

Don't forget... muscle weighs more than fat!  Don't get hung up on the numbers.  Someone who has a higher percentage of body fat can weigh less than someone with a lower body fat percentage because muscle has a higher density!  Quit thinking about what the scale says... it has no idea what you are capable of achieving.  Please don't ever let yourself be defined by a number that society has arbitarily decided is important to self - worth.

Isn't the #1 goal of Attack to "GET FIT"?  They don't say "weigh 120 lbs!"  That isn't what it is about.  Go... GET FIT... STAY FIT... and GET FITTER! 

Don't be afraid to be amazing!

 

Sarah

When I joined my gym 5 years ago, I weighed in at 212 lbs. I'm only 5'3. I went through the pump training at a weight of 195-ish, through the step training at 185, through Attack at 176 and finally through flow at 165. I had reservations with each training because of my size, but I LOVE the classes and love teaching them even more. If I had waited to "look fit" before training, I'd just now being signing up for Pump...maybe.  I'm down to 152 (yay) and in a US size 8 which feels pretty darned good actually.  My goal is 140 and I'll take as long as I need getting there.  Guess I should add another program, huh?

I often wondered how participants initially perceive me, but they come back, so I must be ok. I've had women bring friends to MY class because they knew I wouldn't be intimidating to someone "larger". Too many overweight people put off going to the gym because they want to wait until they are in better shape, or because they feel judged by others or because of fears they won't be able to do everything in class.  They might identify with a larger instructor and feel more at ease and be more likely to come back!  Sure, there will be people who dislike or judge an instructor who doesn't have a role model body, but as long as the instructor can demonstrate all the levels with great technique and coach the heck out of the class then so what?

 Of course, as an instructor we want to be able to do everything and dropping the extra weight sure does make doing everything a bit easier.  Especially in Attack.   I can't say that I'm any more intense teaching now than I was at a heavier weight, but I will say I feel better after class. 

Don't wait on training.  If you love it, then do it.  For every participant who wants their instructor to have the six pack there are three who just want someone to rock their world for 55 minutes and give them an amazing workout.  You don't need visible abs of steel to do that for them.
 

Go for it...Don't wait...I think instructors should reflect the diversity of the population they teach.. A range of different teaching styles and sizes is a good thing.. IMO If you are fit enough to participate you are almost there..it's a bit harder to teach, lots of stuff happening at the same time..but u will learn quickly.

I'm very strong for a woman, I am healthy and in reasonable shape for my years, and apart from a stubborn fat pocket on my belly that came gradually with age and my love of beer filled sat afternoons watching rugby (well a girls gotta let he hair down) I am quite happy..I would love to drop 3  more kilos but when i do this although my  belly is flatter and you can just about see my six pack my face gets thinner ..sunken eye sockets and my overbite takes over..Attractive or what!!!  NOT!!

 Trust me, there is always something to pick on so we should refrain before we go insane.....I've been teaching for over 20 years...in my experience, participants prefer, an approachable, capable, fun instructor. Not many are inspired by the stick thin, self absorbed adrenalin junkie who's never learned a participants name past the front row in their entire career. No disrespect intended for you instructors with insufficiant adipose tissue.  Many of my friends walk amongst you...mostly at Halloween..(only joking!!  but i bet you all feel the cold more than i do though... hehe.) ..

Your size wont put the people off who wanna work, and you will also  inspire some people along the way. I bet  your extra pounds will drop off quicker once you are teaching..

Good luck

Bx

 

the only problem i have with an instructor who does not look as fit is when they cannot do the moves. if you can execute the moves and talk at the same time, you are definitely fit enough to teach and no participant will care if you are not a size zero. i lost a few lbs and my participants told me to gain it back because i looked too skinny. they like you to look like them, it motivates them and shows them they can also do the moves that you can and you don'thave to have the perfect body to keep up with the class. you will probably bring in new participants by NOT looking as thin because they know they will also be able to do the class.

I agree with all of the other responses, believing that if you are passionate about the program, and execute the moves with great technique and a high level of fitness, size is not so important. The only caution I would add is that when you send in your video, know that the assessors are looking for that great technique and a high level of fitness and energy. An instructor at our club who is in good shape, certified in Pump and Jam, just received her assessment back and did not pass, with one of the main critiques being level of fitness. If you are committed to working hard, you can make it happen. As Attack queen Lisa says, if you believe, you can achieve anything!!!

I agree with everyone and yes you must be able to do the moves and look the role.  I'm 5'1 at 173 and I pack my classes why? Because they like me for who I am and how I present the program.  When I first became an instructor I thought I should be skinner but I went for it.  Since that time frame I have been up and down.  Les Mills offers great programs for everyone and for all levels.  My husband teaches with me and he has dropped from 200 to 187 and looks great.  We team teach both BodyPump and BodyStep together and everyone seems to enjoy us. Don't let your weight hold you back.  Good luck!!

These are all such inspirational postings!!!

It doesn't matter about size!!  Just get in there and follow your dreams!!  When you believe you can do it, you will!

Believe in yourself!

 

 

nicscool:

These are all sych inspirational postings!!!

It doesn't matter about size!!  Just get in there and follow your dreams!!  When you believe you can do it, you will!

Believe in yourself!

 

 

 

Thats exactly what I was thinking Nicscool! What a wonderfull community!!! LMI instructors are the best!!!

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Bobbi BA Instructor Since 07

Don't buy into the lie that instructors have to fit a mold and "look" a certain way.  We are all different shapes, sizes and have different styles of teaching.  Be YOU - understand the essence of the program you're going to teach and communicate that to your participants.  As you become an instructor, and especially when you start teaching, your body WILL change.  I thought I was strong and toned before I started teaching Pump - HA!  I'm pretty amazed at how much I can lift now and how my body has changed. 

Your body (the way you look) is only one element - you have a voice, a face, and a personality to use when you teach.  In my experience, they are more powerful tools when it comes to connecting to your participants.  I think authenticity and passion are the most important thing you can bring to the room.  Not a six-pack.