Vacation plans

One of the great perks of being my own boss is that I set my schedule.  If I want to take off spring break, the last two weeks of June, the last two weeks of August, the first week of September, two weeks at Christmas, all statutory holidays, 5 Peaks Fridays and any “unavoidable engagement”, I do.  However there is a downside, if I don’t work, I don’t get paid.

Although it may seem like I take a lot of time off, in reality I don’t.  While there are breaks between Parks and Leisure programs and Studio schedules they don’t all occur at the same time, so while I am off in one area I am still working in another.  My true vacation time, meaning I teach zero classes and have zero commitments anywhere works out to a grand total of four weeks per year, two weeks at the end of summer and two in the winter.  I did take an additional week this year in July when I went to Utah, so this year will make it five weeks, I’m sorry that I’m not sorry, I own it (that was for you Rachel).  Today at 10:00am I started my first day of my end of the summer vacation!

When most people are on vacation they do not think about work until their last day of vacation, and it is usually ugh…what disaster am I going back to, or ugh…I don’t want to go back to work.  I love being active; when I am not active I am usually planning or thinking about the next time that I will be , I’m not obsessive it’s just who I am and something else that I own.

As much as I would like to in a normal work –week, I am not able to get out and participate in other people’s classes, there are only so many hours in the day and with the addition of my domestic goddess duties I am pretty tapped for time (with the exception of my daily 20 minute power nap, which is on the schedule).  So, vacation to me is a time when I can get out and check out other classes and see what is new and exciting in the fitness world, research and development if you will, even if I am in another city or country.  Don’t get me wrong, my vacation won’t be all work and no play, I plan on playing plenty!

My clients often tease me that when I am on vacation I am in search of new methods to torture them with; I think that torture is a bit harsh, I prefer challenge!  I always learn something from every class in which I participate, a new move or drill, a cue or am reminded of something that I may have forgotten about (like when you only participate in only one or two step classes a year, it is really important to really stretch your calves after, talk about torture).

So what should you expect from a fitness instructor?  Dane Boyle of the San Antonio Fitness Examiner asked me the same question last week and this is what I told him…

Group fitness classes should be led by qualified individuals, and clients should have high expectations for their group leaders.  Keri Cawthorne owner of Iron Mountain Movement lists the top 10 things students should expect from their group fitness leaders:

Top 10:

1. A fitness leader should be motivating, not intimidating.
2. A fitness leader should arrive 10-15 minutes before class starts to greet, to answer questions and to assist with any set-up. The instructor should also be the last person to leave the class when it is over.
3. A fitness leader should start the class on time and finish on time.
4. A fitness leader should be dressed appropriately for the class.
5. A fitness leader should introduce themselves and let participants know what to expect from the class.
6. A fitness leader should be able to provide modifications for any exercise.
7. A fitness leader should smile and make eye contact with the class.
8. A fitness leader should be certified and be able to provide an educational portion of the class (ie: proper alignment while doing muscle conditioning, stretching, cooling down etc).
9. A fitness leader should not be afraid to move around the class.
10. A fitness leader should provide a safe and effective class (ie. a clean and uncluttered space, music at a healthy volume). read entire article

Other things that I plan to do on my vacation: the Grouse Grind as many times as possible, hike The Chief, a cross border grocery shopping trip to Trader Joes (Deanna, Sharon, are you reading?), clean out my closet, go to the PNE, read one business related book and one sex, drugs and rock and roll biography, have a massage and enjoy a “Bad Girls” catch-up night.