Our Stories
Group Fitness Instructors are not "JUST" someone who "gets paid to exercise." We change lives in emotional, physical and communal ways. We use our own bodies to teach, inspire and connect with others. We willingly roll around on nasty gym floors so that others can roll into their best selves. When we get hurt or sick, we have to cover the costs. Here are some of our stories.
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Hannah, Yoga Instructor
Photo by Harlie Raethel on Unsplash
1. At the end of 2018 I was in a car accident, the car was totaled, my friends and I were injured, and our party was found not at fault by the authorities, however; I suffered in my profession immensely. I had a severe concussion and couldn't teach for three months, then once I was able to be back in the studio I was pretty immobile. For one, I pretty much had to sit on a block and teach class 100% verbally with no demo's, which seriously affected my class numbers, reputation, and commission. Secondly, I still wouldn't be able to teach my hot yoga classes for another 2 more months because my brain injury couldn't with-stand extremely hot conditions.
I was not offered any kind of injury pay, medical insurance support (because my injuries were from a car accident and the other party would be liable for my medical bills once the case was settled... that means that I was still responsible for the medical bills until the case was settled or risk a loss to my credit), studio benefits, professional insurance support. I was not able to qualify for unemployment because of my contractor status at every studio, was quickly running through my savings, and had absolutely no support.
Not only were my regular classes and teaching clout affected, but my retreat business also wielded to a halt. I had to cancel two retreats and take a loss on deposits I had made on retreat properties. I bring this aspect up even though this has less to do with studios it still greatly affected my relationships with my students. I didn't have any kind of support through my private medical insurance, professional teaching insurance, or any other studio benefits, so I wasn't able to offset this kind of unprofessionalism in canceling expensive plans for my clients (who are my same clients from studio classes).
2. At one studio I was expected to show up 30 minutes before class to check students in and stay 15-20 minutes after class to clean and lock up. I was only ever paid for class, and not for the extra 45 minutes (to sometimes an hour depending) I was required to be at the studio.
At this same studio I was not able to find a sub for my class because I was sick with the flu after 3 days of searching and constant communication with the managers and other staff teachers. I was expected to teach class with a 100+ degree fever.
3. At another studio my permanent weekly classes were awarded and taken away with a few hours notice. I had been teaching a regular class there for 8 months, which the manager decided to give to another student who would teach for less pay. He gave me 12 hours notice and did not pay me for class.
At the same studio managers changed and under the new manager I was now expected to know that the schedule may or may not be accurate based on the information online. Without any verbal or written instructions I was supposed to know to confirm with the manager the accuracy of my scheduled classes. If I did not do this and missed a class I would be put on a 6 month probationary period where all of my classes would be stripped. I learned this expectation by missing class and being put on probation. I decided to quit instead.
I was not offered any kind of injury pay, medical insurance support (because my injuries were from a car accident and the other party would be liable for my medical bills once the case was settled... that means that I was still responsible for the medical bills until the case was settled or risk a loss to my credit), studio benefits, professional insurance support. I was not able to qualify for unemployment because of my contractor status at every studio, was quickly running through my savings, and had absolutely no support.
Not only were my regular classes and teaching clout affected, but my retreat business also wielded to a halt. I had to cancel two retreats and take a loss on deposits I had made on retreat properties. I bring this aspect up even though this has less to do with studios it still greatly affected my relationships with my students. I didn't have any kind of support through my private medical insurance, professional teaching insurance, or any other studio benefits, so I wasn't able to offset this kind of unprofessionalism in canceling expensive plans for my clients (who are my same clients from studio classes).
2. At one studio I was expected to show up 30 minutes before class to check students in and stay 15-20 minutes after class to clean and lock up. I was only ever paid for class, and not for the extra 45 minutes (to sometimes an hour depending) I was required to be at the studio.
At this same studio I was not able to find a sub for my class because I was sick with the flu after 3 days of searching and constant communication with the managers and other staff teachers. I was expected to teach class with a 100+ degree fever.
3. At another studio my permanent weekly classes were awarded and taken away with a few hours notice. I had been teaching a regular class there for 8 months, which the manager decided to give to another student who would teach for less pay. He gave me 12 hours notice and did not pay me for class.
At the same studio managers changed and under the new manager I was now expected to know that the schedule may or may not be accurate based on the information online. Without any verbal or written instructions I was supposed to know to confirm with the manager the accuracy of my scheduled classes. If I did not do this and missed a class I would be put on a 6 month probationary period where all of my classes would be stripped. I learned this expectation by missing class and being put on probation. I decided to quit instead.
Kristyn, Trainer and Coach
Photo by Jesper Aggergaard on Unsplash
As a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Coach, our pay comes from providing the service directly and in real time. The majority of Fitness Trainers work at multiple locations, in order to make a "full time" living wage. It is very rare for trainers to work full time in one location, and therefore qualify for benefits, causing most of us to reach out to expensive statewide healthcare providers. This is the nature of the industry, unfortunately, and there are not regulations in place to protect us.
In the past 4 months, I have experienced a severe case of bronchitis, broken ribs, stomach flu, and a knee fracture, and was given no choice but to work through all of these setbacks. [A certain franchise gym] offers a staggeringly low amount of sick hours, one hour per every 40 worked. As an instructor, our hours are low as our focus is classes, and it is not proportioned differently for us versus hourly staff.
This should not be the price to pay and burden to bear for Fitness Professionals, just for having made this career choice.
In the past 4 months, I have experienced a severe case of bronchitis, broken ribs, stomach flu, and a knee fracture, and was given no choice but to work through all of these setbacks. [A certain franchise gym] offers a staggeringly low amount of sick hours, one hour per every 40 worked. As an instructor, our hours are low as our focus is classes, and it is not proportioned differently for us versus hourly staff.
This should not be the price to pay and burden to bear for Fitness Professionals, just for having made this career choice.
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