Neural mobilisation, often known as "nerve flossing," has been a go-to technique for physiotherapists and allied health professionals for years, but what about its role in group exercise? This method focuses on improving the flexibility and movement of nerves, which...
Marietta Mehanni
Fitness Professionals
Understanding Neural Ischemia: Why Group Fitness Instructors Should Care
In the fitness world, we talk a lot about the importance of stretching, strengthening, and keeping our bodies in peak condition. But there's a lesser-known concept that deserves our attention: neural ischemia. Let's break it down and understand why it matters,...
Gymstick Guide to Abdominal Strength
Your core is the epicentre of strength, supporting every movement your body makes. In this guide, we'll focus on abdominal and core strength, uncovering the unique benefits Gymstick offers to enhance these crucial muscle groups. Let's explore how Gymstick can be your...
Am I Included Yet?
A Reflection on International Day of Disabilities: As I sit down to write this post on the International Day of Disabilities, I can't help but reflect on the question: Am I included yet? My name is Caitlin (CJ) and I'm a 29-year-old woman living with an intellectual...
Embracing Worthiness
Acknowledging Success: A Journey of Worthiness I'm honoured to share my recent induction into the AUSactive Roll of Honour. While this recognition holds immense significance, I must admit that acknowledging what this award truly means to me has been a challenging but...
FLASHBACKS: The Evolution of Group Fitness
Hello, fitness enthusiasts of today! As we look back on the glorious days of group exercise instruction, it's hard not to feel a wave of nostalgia. Back in the day, it was all about "Aerobics," and oh, how the times have changed! Join me as we take a trip down memory...
Enhancing Exercise for an Aging Population
What constitutes functional training In recent years, there has been a noticeable resurgence in the popularity of traditional exercises, signalling a "coming back in vogue" trend. Suppose you're not engaging in chin-ups, push presses, kettlebell training, plyometrics,...
Find Your Fierce
How I found my tribe If you're like me, you love to feel inspired. You want to reflect on your life and feel you've made a difference. I recently chatted with a long-time friend (Sports science academic, Public speaker and PT genius), Nikki Ellis, on her 'Find your...
Why do you really teach group fitness?
Have you ever really asked yourself why you teach group fitness? Why did you decide that this would be the career (or part-time pursuit) that you would follow over so many other options? This article was published in the Network magazine. Finding your Why People often...
Confessions Of A Lazy Instructor
Tips on how to stay motivated with exercise Have you ever started doing something with the best intentions, only to lose motivation and give up halfway through? Maybe you started a new exercise program and quit after a few weeks (or days). All along, you know that if...
How To Make A Career From Teaching Group Fitness?
Group Fitness Career Wow! It's possible to make a career from teaching group fitness classes. Absolutely, it is. You can earn money and help people become fitter and healthier too. There are many opportunities to teach group fitness classes. If you have a personal...
Do You learn from others?
Always be prepared to learn something new. Teaching is a profession that is full of surprises. As instructors, we know the best way to prepare for the unexpected is to go in with as much knowledge as possible. It's one of the reasons why you're probably reading this...
3 Tips for Overcoming Your Fear of Teaching Group Fitness Classes
To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. I have been in the industry for a long time, and I know how scary it is to start teaching group fitness classes! The fear comes from so many places and takes many forms. Some people are afraid they will be uncomfortable,...
3 Tricks To Boost Your Fitness Teaching Confidence
It's about the experience you create Teaching a group fitness class can be an incredibly empowering and gratifying experience. It can also be challenging, daunting and downright terrifying. There's always a little voice telling you that you don't know enough to teach...
What is mswing?
mSwing is not an aerobics class. It's about learning to move your body in a way that will integrate into your life for the rest of your days. It's fun and it can be done by anyone and everyone. Why? Because since the beginning of time, people have been swinging things...
The more you know the better
When a comment on a social media post mentioned the name of a fitness industry colleague that I hadn’t thought about for a long time, it brought the power of the word ‘learn’ vividly to mind. Meredith King was my aqua coordinator at the Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre in the...
The One Word Someone Said To Me That Reframed The Way I Think Forever
When we learn something new, we open the door to opportunity. To grow in this industry, you must keep continual learning at the core of everything you do, writes industry educator and group fitness guru Marietta Mehanni. When a comment on one of my recent social media...
Language of Disability
Carol Syer wrote this blog. Learning the language of disability In my 30+ years in the fitness Industry, I have seen it grow and mature. We have become more aware and more inclusive. We have become more educated, and with that knowledge, we are becoming more welcoming...
H2O Conference: A world of presenters at your fingertips
The last 18 months have been a series of firsts, from teaching virtually and getting a handle on the technology to editing videos, creating accessible education platforms and building new websites. The impetus to do all these new things may have been due to reasons...
Which stage of the 4-step Group Ex journey are you in?
I have always enjoyed passing on things that I have learnt. I’m hardwired for it. I remember in school that I would often help other students understand homework and provide assistance during recess and lunchtime in the library. It gave me purpose, and sharing what I...
That big ball of air – The Swiss Ball
You see some interesting trends and fads come and go when you've been a group fitness instructor for over 33 years. I remember seeing the step in 1991 and thinking, 'What's this rubbish? You cannot make this interesting enough for a whole class.' But here I am in...
Group Fitness Instructor: ARE YOU READY TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE?
Do you love being part of a group exercise experience, moving to music and setting your heart rate and happiness levels soaring? Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be on stage leading a class? Becoming a group fitness instructor You know that feeling...
The mentoring connection
Discovering My Passion From a young age at school, I enjoyed helping other children struggling with schoolwork. It was a way that I felt accepted. However, growing up in a community with little ethnic diversity, I didn't fit in. My parents were not comfortable with me...
The social media rabbit hole
Unveiling the Impact of Lockdown on Fitness Professionals Changes in our operations during lockdown have exposed many fitness professionals to social media-induced self-doubt. You’re worth so much more than fleeting clicks, writes group fitness guru Marietta Mehanni....
Self Care
Take care of yourself - no one else will do a better job. Reflecting on 2020's Impact For the majority of people on this planet, the world went sideways in 2020. The new normal became a concept, and words like pivoting and virtual became popular business words. Even...
The elephant in the room
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The big one with its backside in your face. The one that you can’t miss but trying to avoid looking at. GROUP EXERCISE INSTRUCTOR MENTAL HEALTH It is an interesting conundrum because, as an instructor, you are not physically...
Have you moved to online classes?
The COVID-19 pandemic has been the only global conversation in 2020, and the big question is whether you have pivoted. The Evolution of Online Group Fitness During the Pandemic If you are in the group fitness industry, your gym most likely has closed or has reopened...
The Art of the Start
'The best way to predict the future is to create it' a quote by Peter Drucker, whom is one of the best-known and most widely influential thinkers and writers on the subject of management theory and practice. His quote is something that struck a powerful chord with me...
My Inner Demon
Reflecting on Life BC (Before Covid) and Beyond Like most people around the globe, everything completely changed for me when Covid-19 lockdown came in. My usual daily routine evolved to a new rhythm. It has now been long enough for me to have looked at my life BC...
My secret
I received an email asking about my secret to maintaining positivity and showing up on Facebook daily. So, I'm going to share my answer with you all. I feel that mental health is very similar to physical health. If we think about physical health, we ensure that our...
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What Is Neuromobilisation All About?
Neural mobilisation, often known as "nerve...
Understanding Neural Ischemia: Why Group Fitness Instructors Should Care
In the fitness world, we talk a lot about the...
Gymstick Guide to Abdominal Strength
Your core is the epicentre of strength,...