Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing: Gym

Session 4: Evaluation

Learning Outcomes By the end of this section you should be able to: Describe how to bring the session to an end Describe the health and safety checks made after the session Support clients taking part in gym-based exercise sessions Reflect on providing gym-based exercise sessions Describe how to gain feedback from participants Understand the value of reviewing the session and setting an action plan

Bringing the session to an end The instructor needs to prepare their participants emotionally and physically to finish the session safely: They should praise the participant for their efforts and achievements during the session. The Instructor should give any further information the participants may need i.e information on any changes e.g. cost, time, place. The Instructor should not leave the gym area until the participant has exited As a courtesy to other instructors and participants, the exercise area and any equipment should be cleared as quickly as possible.

Bringing the session to an end Recording Injuries and Accidents - It is important to follow the facility’s procedures and injuries and/or incidences. Consider what information needs to be included in an accident form and why

Health and Safety checks It is important that all hazards following the session are accounted for and measures are put in place to avoid these as equipment and facilities should be left in a working condition for future use: Check all equipment is in good working order – report any breakages or faults All equipment must be returned to the respective storage area safely The instructor should check the area for any dangers for the next session/ other users and report any important information

Supporting clients taking part in gym-based exercise sessions A professional instructor is one who is always: Thoroughly prepared Available to speak to before and after their sessions Reliable Punctual Consistent Remains up to date Encourages healthy lifestyle Constantly evaluates their own performance Keep participants motivated What are the key values of a professional instructor? What does each value means to you? How you would action each of them to support your clients?

Reviewing the session On completion of the session, the instructor should commend the participant for their efforts. The instructor should ask for any feedback on the session as a way of improving their instructing skills. If participants have any questions, the instructor needs to remain available for a short time after the session. The participant must be included during the review of the session to ensure the sessions are effective and meeting the needs of the participant/ client. What type of questions would an instructor ask at the end of the session to gain feedback from their participants? What would the questions be?

Gaining feedback from participants The information gathered should then be measured as to whether it has met the expectations of the instructor, and if not what can be done to rectify it in the future. The types of questions that should be asked are: Did the participant enjoy the session? What have the participants achieved during the session? What would they suggest to improve the session?

Reflecting on providing gym-based exercise sessions The instructor must use this feedback to plan the progression or modifications of the sessions by asking themselves these questions: Did the session meet the aims set out in the session plan/ each programme card? Did the session meet the needs of the participants? To further improve instructing abilities, it is important for the instructor to then evaluate their own performance. This assessment would include the noting of any improvements which can be made to the original session plan. This can then be referred back to when the instructor reviews subsequent sessions. As a group, discuss: Understanding the questions on the paper The answers that could possibly be written to the questions in an assessment (if applicable) How you would then set an action plan according to the feedback given

Learning outcomes You have completed this section. Can you now?: Describe how to bring the session to an end Describe the health and safety checks made after the session Support clients taking part in gym-based sessions Reflect on providing gym-based exercise sessions Describe how to gain feedback from participants Understand the value of reviewing the session and setting an action plan