Step It Up

(of course our class wasn't that big) 

Last weekend I made the 200 plus mile drive down to Baltimore to attend a BTS (Body Training Systems) Group Step Training. I made the decision that I wanted to get certified to teach Group Step classes at my gym, I figured if nothing else it would be a fun weekend and I'd buy some extra calories. Although it was an expensive, to ease the burden slightly I decided to give priceline a shot to ease the burden a bit and boy did that work out. I never used priceline before so I was skeptical and nervous to bid, I knew I wanted a 4 star and above hotel only in the Inner Harbor and I bid only $80, I was so happy when it accepted my bid and gave me the Hyatt Regency right in the Inner Harbor so I was off to a good start.

The training itself was scheduled to be held all day Saturday (from 7:30-5:30) and Sunday (from 7:30-4:30). Our training group was pretty small, just 8 women all together and I was the only person that had traveled from out of town to attend, the rest were all local to that particular gym chain. They were actually all older than me too, I was the second youngest person there and some had very little step experience. I'd like to think that I'm pretty expert in my step class. A lot of the training was educated related going through what BTS is and how to teach a class versus being on the step and exercising. The training though was incredibly valuable and really gave you the tools to learn to teach a class and put it all together, something I was worried about since I know the steps I just don't know how to teach it. I left the first day of training feeling excited about the opportunity and optimistic.

On the second day we were expected to be able to teach one track on our own. My assigned track was our Step Agility track which is the first cardio peak in class, and also a very frantic type song. I wasn't nervous about teaching it but obviously wanted to do a good job. I messed up a little bit in the morning teaching the class but still felt pretty good about teaching it. I got another chance in the afternoon to try it again and I definitely improved but still messed up a bit but it was only my second time. The most intense part of the class had to be the Group Fitness Challenge where we did a loop five times for about 7 minutes each time of the most high intensity part of a step class to help build up your endurance, it was really hard work but it felt so good afterwards.

Overall I left the training feeling very excited, no matter what I'm really happy that I did it. Step is something that I enjoy so much and it makes me feel so committed to the gym. I do buy into the BTS program, I think it is well laid out and has a good approach to teaching the class. I already ordered new sneakers, the one that the instructor was wearing, that are orange, the official step color of the BTS program, and I can't wait to try all my new teaching skills. I still have to teach a full class and send in a video of me teaching before I'm officially certified but I'm well on my way, can't wait to get better at it!