Traditional Mainstream Fitness & Not Mentoring the Next Gen
In the brief pause [from-caregiving-an-ill-family-member-daily-for-the-past-4-months] I took last week to “escape” for a few days to Washington DC to “fill up my cup of joy” and see exceptional art on a stage {Beyoncé, 'Sunset Blvd' on Broadway & Audra McDonald in 'Gypsy' on Broadway}…
…I had a coffee and interesting conversation with a longtime fitness colleague in NYC I've wanted to share with you.
To set the scene:
an attractive & fit man
age 40ish, youthful vibe, big smile
fun & personable energy directed to clients in his group fitness rooms
15ish years of experience as a certified personal trainer & multi-format group fitness leader (offhand, I believe he teaches 5 different group fitness formats)
Worked in leadership & taught to full rooms at a top boutique fitness studio in NYC & at legacy mainstream gyms (if you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere, as the song rightfully says!…..those clients are A LOT & have seen it all & have an opinion about what is good & what is not )
Worked as on-camera talent teaching multiple group fitness formats at a well-capitalized digital platform
Is coach-able
More than 15,000 followers on Instagram (un-bought)
Last year, he put in an application to a traditional mainstream fitness brand for consideration to be a Master Presenter. Unlike me, who very deliberately chose 1 format (indoor cycling) with which to learn as much as I could & then train other people…he is multi-faceted fitpro & could present educational certs for ALL of the equipment they sell.
AND has the requisite ACE & NASM certifications to be able to issue CEC credits to those taking the certification.
Would be a smart hire for many many reasons.
You know as well as I do, that the fitness industry of the 1980s & 1990s is not the fitness industry of 2025:
We have boutique studios across formats, opened by people who found classes at their gym dull & uncompelling & wanted to disrupt the space
We have digital platforms, where a trainer's reach can be global.
We (still) are not regulated as an industry, for the most part.
And we have scores of young people aged 16-40 who WANT to teach group fitness…who may sign up for a certification day…who would love to learn from someone relatable…which is infinitely better than opening TikTok, mimicking what they see & calling themselves instructors.
He still has not been hired nor interviewed for one of the roles…
…and at least one person HAS been hired to present ONE format & is at least a decade older.
So my question is this:
What do we think it will take for the Mainstream Traditional Fitness Brands to want to hire, mentor & elevate fitness leaders outside their current bubble of Gen X & Baby Boomers?
I would love to know your thoughts, especially since you're likely, as I am, quite 'outside the mainstream'!
And should you or someone in your network see this email & want to discuss how legacy brands may want to attract Millenial & Gen Z presenters to market to young gym/studio goers, please do book a session to Pick My Brain & let's talk solutions.
Have a great rest of your week!
P.S. Purchase our customizable Employee Handbook Template HERE. Remote ways to work together are here.