Interview With Bas Hollander

What was your first experience with Les Mills?

Bas: BODYPUMP™! I was practicing judo at a local club, and they started offering Les Mills classes. The Instructors needed a trial group, so our judo team became the guinea pigs. That was my first introduction to Les Mills.

How did that experience lead you into teaching?

Bas: Not long after that, I trained in RPM. As more programs started rolling out, I asked my judo coach, “Couldn’t I just try teaching these classes?” So I did the Initial Training – and here I am.

What did the early stages of your Instructor’s journey look like?

Bas: I started teaching in 2003, and a few years later I attended a quarterly workshop where I saw what the National Trainers did and became intrigued by the role. I applied to join the NLBE TAP team, but my first application was declined. I wasn’t good enough yet. A year later, I applied again and made the team.

Then LES MILLS GRIT™ came along in 2012. The boot camp was held in the Netherlands, and I immediately felt more naturally suited to the program than anything I’d taught before. I got noticed, was invited to film in 2013, and after that I was asked to become an International Master Trainer – what’s now called an Ambassador.

You became a training manager in Japan. What was it like stepping into a new country and culture?

Bas: Because of my background in judo, I already knew some Japanese words and understood a little of the culture of respect and traditions.

People really think about supporting the group rather than standing out individually in Japan. Like any culture, there are positives and negatives, but overall I found it really beautiful. People care for each other, support each other, and celebrate each other.

The passion for Les Mills in Japan is incredible. Participants are really into it – they know the track lists, the choreography, and they’ll often have the latest Les Mills gear! Everywhere I’ve taught there’s been passion, but in Japan it feels especially strong.

You presented RISE Reactions - What stayed with you?

Bas: The main thing was realizing that every Les Mills Presenter is fighting a battle others know nothing about. For some, it’s overcoming insecurities. For others, it’s an internal drive for greatness or perfection, and sometimes it’s simply daring to be seen.

These are all people I look up to because I think they’re exceptional at what they do. Seeing the other side gave me a much deeper understanding of them.

Have you ever had to battle with insecurities?

Bas: Judo is very black and white – you either win or you lose. If I landed on my back, I lost. If I threw someone onto theirs, I won. There’s very little room for interpretation.

As I progressed within Les Mills, I suddenly found myself in a world that wasn’t as clear-cut. People formed opinions based on many different things, and for a while I found that difficult because I couldn’t always grasp what success looked like.

English being my second language also added pressure. I’ve always put a huge amount of preparation into presentations, and I probably overthought things at times. But I’m learning to trust the process more and rely on my experience.

‘Authenticity over perfection’ is often discussed among Les Mills trainers. How do you interpret that?

Bas: I think it’s more the pursuit of how you want to come across or how you want the class to feel. Sometimes it’s a fear of failure, or simply wanting to do such a good job that you put too much pressure on yourself.

You might tick all the boxes, but lose some authenticity because you’re trying to make everything so polished and perfect. The people we look up to usually aren’t polished – they’re imperfect. We connect with the way they move, the way they express themselves, or the way they show their athleticism. It’s often the rawness that attracts us to people. And if someone is too perfect, it can actually become a bit boring.

As a Masterclass Director, what is your style?

Bas: I come from an Instructor perspective, so I’m always thinking about how the viewer uses the content. These videos aren’t watched in a studio behind a desk – they’re used on small screens to learn choreography or move along with.

So my priority is: first, make it easy to learn from; second, easy to move along to; and then third, make it visually impressive. 

Do you still film multiple LES MILLS GRIT releases in a day?

Bas: We still do, but the presenters aren’t in all three anymore – it became too demanding!

Does being in front of the camera enhance your performance?

Bas: Definitely. Knowing people will eventually see it pushes me further than I’d normally go. I’d say filming adds another 20 percent intensity.

It’s similar to floor coaching – when you walk up to someone and suddenly they push harder because they’re being watched. I’m pretty self-motivated anyway, but there are moments during filming where I’ve thought: “I’m dying here… but I can’t stop now!”

How do you approach teaching when motivation dips?

Bas: I recognize that feeling. There are peak moments – new releases, new programs – where energy is high. But there are also a couple of weeks each year where it starts to feel like a drag, usually after summer.

Sometimes I take time off and reset. Other times, I shift focus onto the people in front of me and remember why I’m there.

What’s your biggest class fail?

Bas: I once taught a class in a studio with suspended ceiling tiles. I jumped too high, hit one of the panels, and the entire ceiling system started collapsing – first ten rows, then the next ten. About 60 panels came down. There was dust everywhere and everyone ended up grey. Nobody was hurt, but it completely shocked the room!

Quick Fire

Favorite TV show?

Bas: The Spanish show Casa de Papel (Money Heist).

Favorite music?

Bas: Dutch rap music and hip-hop.

Favorite food?

Bas: Dutch fries

Love attention or naturally introverted?

Bas: I’m quite shy, and I don’t really like attention in general. The only time I’m comfortable with it is when it’s focused on something I’m confident in!

If you could only teach one LES MILLS GRIT, which would it be?

Bas: Easy – GRIT Athletic. Love it!

Follow Bas Hollander on Instagram.