Christian Noni was recruiting Spinning Instructors at WSSC.
His homemade "I'm Hiring" badge got my attention as Christian Noni walked by me at WSSC. As the Executive Fitness Director for Revelry Indoor Cycling and Fitness, Christian has a problem that I heard expressed multiple times this weekend; where do I find quality Instructors in my area? It's not like they're sitting around, waiting for me to launch my new studio 🙁
The options are limited
Let me know if I'm missing any here - I'm thinking there are only two realistic options:
- Recruit existing Instructors from other health clubs.
- Develop/grow your own... and then take really good care of them so they stay.
The recent brouhaha over Soulcycle banning Instructors from their classes, suggests that many fitness businesses are getting protective of their prized positions - popular Instructors. Rightly so. Despite all the interest and effort being invested in rider metrics, video display systems, fancy studio designs, ect... the life blood of a successful studio is you - the Instructor.
Recruiting may work, depending on where you're located. Most big-boxes that I'm aware of don't require exclusivity agreements (just don't get caught mentioning you also have a class down the road) so a few Instructors may be willing to join your team. Word of a new studio in town tends to travel fast. As soon as you've signed your lease you should have signage up in the windows advertising your needs. Barbara Hoots told me all this was very inexpensive to design and have printed at a local sign shop.
Attractive signage is a must while you're building out your space!
Many of these new studio start-ups are filling an unserved fitness need in a community, so unfortunately not every city has other clubs to draw from. Which leaves... develop/grow your own as the better long term solution.
Barbara Hoots gave a wonderful presentation here at WSSC, where she demonstrated how successful businesses are continuously; NEW, IMPROVED & IMPROVING. She used the example of OREO cookies, which to my surprise, were first introduced in 1912. A 104 year old brand and they are still offering new and/or improved versions of Americas best selling cookie. My take away from Barbara's session was that studio owners need to be continuously developing NEW Instructors and of course IMPROVING those you have in place.
While I was chatting with Christian, he explained how finding prospective Instructors was just step one. He's planning a comprehensive training program for every new hire that he's developed with the help of his friend and mentor Lawrence Biscontini.
In case you missed my pair of very entertaining interviews with Lawrence, you can find part one here. Part two's here.
Christian told me he's open to sharing his Instructor training plans and we're scheduling an interview in the next few weeks.
Now I'm off to find my PST - (Personal Spinning Threshold) with MI Janet Toussaint!
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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I wish we had small operations like this in my area. I would love to experience a different atmosphere. There are a few, but the drive time is prohibitive for me. We are overrun by big box (one I unfortunately work for after they bought out the small family-owned chain I had been with for 6 1/2 years), and one in particular has a monopoly on the area.
Regarding the Soul Cycle debacle, I have had one burning question that no one else seems to share…how on earth do they know you work for another club?
Jennifer my early guess was that, being the proud people we are, Instructors were telling everyone that they taught.
I had a conversation with another Instructor who was contacted and banned after visiting a neighboring club. He told me that the club had a list of all the instructors in the area – found by visiting each club’s website. Seems like a lot of work/trouble to me.