Have you received negative feedback after teaching a Pilates class? That’s okay! Feedback and constructive criticism are always great to help you grow as an instructor, whether you are a newbie or have been in the industry for years. You just have to be open and willing to use the constructive criticism to your advantage. Trust me, I should know, as I received negative feedback after teaching my first Pilates class!
Having a Positive Mindset
Don’t let negative feedback get you down! We all can improve and strive to be better and feedback leads you in the right direction. No one is perfect and not every client will love all of your classes as each client has their own goals and abilities. Not every class you teach will be your best. Receiving feedback helps you cater your classes to your clients’ needs and wants.
Think about this positively and show up to your next class assured and ready to develop your skills. Clients come to class expecting you to ‘know your stuff’ and instruct them through a seamless workout. Show them that you are confident in your abilities, even if you are a little put off by your feedback. Fake it until you make it!
Take Action
Listen to your feedback instead of getting defensive. While it is easy to become offended and hurt by negative comments, take the time to interpret the feedback given, instead of letting your confidence take a hit. Reflect on what was said objectively putting yourself in the clients’ shoes. Make a plan and strive to improve!
After reflecting, take action and think about how you can grow from their suggestions. Whether it’s general comments about your cueing, sometimes the trick is confidence or simply practicing. Other comments like; “I didn’t feel the burn” or “we do the same exercises each week,” can easily be improved if you put the effort in. Can you hold them in exercises for longer, possibly using a stop watch as a guide? Or my favourite trick, add a static hold or pulse to finish an exercise.
Classes getting a bit stale? Plan out your classes, it doesn’t have to be complicated; you can still stick to the basics while mixing things up, adding a prop always helps! Try to implement the feedback into all of your classes, instead of altering one class and being deterred. Practice makes perfect!
Follow up
Always ask for feedback after your classes, letting clients know they can approach you with anything. Asking for feedback is a great way to discover if clients like the changes you have made and gives them the opportunity to tell you what they do like about your classes. You could ask your manager for feedback as well! Clients may be more open and honest when the feedback is given to you anonymously. The best instructors and most successful people are always looking to improve.
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