When Classes Become A Lifeline

As group trainers, you know how vital your classes are to your participants. And you remember how you felt when starting your own journey – that emotional strength, sense of belonging, and feeling of escapism, all brought together by the Instructor at the front of the room.

Now you’re the one wearing the mic, it can be useful to sometimes reflect on the impact you have.

Behind the smiles and laughs, there will be people in class who may be going through personal struggles – coping with anxiety, medical issues, addiction, and more. Your classes can be a vital lifeline.

It’s great reading reports confirming exercise can significantly reduce depression severity or reduce the health problem of loneliness, but sometimes, though, it’s a card, a quiet conversation, or a private message that truly brings it home – making all the learning, rehearsing, and hard work feel even more worthwhile.

We asked Les Mills Instructors to share some of the most special connections they’ve experienced with participants.

"We don’t always realize the impact we have." – Sarah Norman

Teaching a range of Les Mills programs across Leicester and Nottingham (UK), Sarah Norman speaks about a participant who found solace in her BODYBALANCE™ classes while going through a family loss. “They felt the safety and energy of the space I created.” she shares. “When they told me how much it helped them get through their journey, it was magical. As Instructors, we don’t always realize the impact we have, but the changes in people’s mental health and their perception of themselves can be profound.”

"It's her safe space." – Emma MacDonald

Group training can even be life-saving, says Glasgow (UK) based Emma MacDonald: “I’ve had people tell me that BODYCOMBAT™ has saved their lives. Some have recently lost family members and struggle with anxiety, yet they find comfort in coming to class. One woman told me she doesn’t go on vacation anymore because of her anxiety, but she never misses a class – because it’s her safe space.”

"They are my proudest moments being an Instructor." – Gabriel Hurtado

In Sweden, Gabriel Hurtado has come full circle. Overweight and self-conscious when he first joined a gym over 12 years ago, he’s now a Les Mills Instructor who puts inclusion at the heart of everything he does.

A woman who loved Gabriel’s BODYCOMBAT classes once asked if her husband, who used a wheelchair due to a back injury, could join. Gabriel welcomed him without hesitation. “They are my proudest moments being an Instructor.” says Gabriel. “After they had been coming to my classes for a while, the wife confided in me and told me how much the classes meant for them. They had been struggling to find a hobby that they could do together ever since her husband’s injury and this class was something they could do together again. It’s such a great feeling to be a part of that.”

"He was so proud to say it was because of our classes." – Katie Galbraith

Katie Galbraith teaches classes at her own gym, The Happy Wee Health Club, in West Scotland. She shares a participant’s story that reinforces how vital exercise can be: “We have a gentleman who regularly attends BODYCOMBAT and LES MILLS CORE™. He had an operation for prostate cancer, and his doctor told him, ‘Wow, you’ve got such a strong core.’ He was so proud to say it was because of our classes. Now he’s recovered and back to doing what he loves!”

"He had managed to lose almost 50KG in 12 months!" – Matthew Thraxton

Shanghai-based Les Mills Training Manager Matthew Thraxton remembers a thank-you card received from a participant called Onny. He went from a ‘big’ nervous guy, facing personal challenges, to someone who was fighting fit and loving life. “He thanked me for the classes, and for all the encouragement and support,” says Matt. "He loved coming to the gym, and he always looked forward to his BODYCOMBAT class, and with the support of his wife, he had managed to lose almost 50KG in 12 months!”

            The recently released Social Value of Group Exercise Evaluation Report found that group training has significant social and economic value, contributing £5.3B in social value in the UK.    

"That’s powerful to me." – Meno Thomas

Group training can boost confidence too, as New Zealand-based Les Mills Presenter Meno Thomas shares: “A Les Mills Instructor came up to me and said they came out to their family because of the impact my Instructor story had on them. That’s powerful to me, because I know how hard it is for anyone to be brave enough to stand up and authentically express who they are – inside and out – to the world.”

"She told us how much that meant to her." – Danny Raynor

Danny Raynor is a Les Mills Instructor and Assessor for GRIT™, BODYPUMP™, BODYATTACK™, and, more recently, CEREMONY™. He speaks about a participant undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer: “She started to back off from classes, but we made sure she knew she was welcome at any pace, on her own terms. She told us how much that meant to her – that just having the option to show up, even if she needed to leave early, made her feel supported.”

"She texts me to say how much better she feels." – Justin Riley

For some, just making it to the club is an achievement, especially when battling low self-esteem, says Hinckley-based Justin Riley: 'I’ve known a participant for over five years. She attends LES MILLS CORE, BODYCOMBAT, and BODYPUMP with me. She struggles with low self-esteem and poor mental health. Every time she finds the strength to attend one of my classes – winning the battle against her low moods – she texts me to say how much better she feels.”

"Knowing we have that impact is truly humbling." – Leona Petch

Teaching a wide variety of programs – including LES MILLS PILATES™, LES MILLS STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT™, LES MILLS FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH™, and LES MILLS SHAPES™, Leona Petch speaks of one participant losing 50KG while coping with her son's severe illness: “She still comes to class, even though her son is in the hospital,” says Leona. "She says training helps her regulate her emotions and gives her the strength to show up for her family. She finds incredible support from the community, and knowing we have that impact is truly humbling.”

            A study published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise found that belonging to groups that engage in physical activity can protect against depression. The research suggests the social support inherent in group training contributes to these protective effects.    

"Never assume someone isn't enjoying it." – Holly Mason

Teaching in Fife, Scotland, Holly Mason reminds us that some of the people who seem disengaged in class might actually need it the most.

“The ones who don’t smile or cheer may actually love your class more than anyone else,” she says. “You might be giving them the only highlight of their day – or even their week. Never assume someone isn’t enjoying it; inside, you might be helping them through one of the toughest moments of their life.”

"I love being part of that journey." – Vili Fifita

Masterclass trainer Vili Fifita highlights the role group training plays in building confidence and self-belief: “I want everyone to feel successful, especially those who are nervous or shy – the ones who start in the back row because they don’t want to be seen,” says Vili. “Gradually, you see them grow in confidence, moving closer to the front. Before you know it, they’re requesting tracks and leading from the front row. I love being part of that journey.”

‍