Another month, another XPERT blog – and if you’re reading this from the UK, chances are you;ve recently experienced the heatwave that;s swept across the country. While many of us
enjoy a bit of sunshine, teaching and training in unusually high temperatures can bring a whole new set of challenges to the studio. When hot weather arrives, we often see plenty of advice aimed at students. Stay hydrated, take breaks, listen to your body, which are all incredibly important messages. But there tends to be far less conversation about the people leading those classes and running those businesses.
Instructors and studio owners are often navigating the same challenges as their students, except they;re doing it for multiple hours a day, several days a week, all while also making
decisions that keep classes running safely and effectively. Whether you;re teaching back to back sessions, managing a busy timetable, or trying to keep your studio environment as
comfortable as possible, heatwaves can have a significant impact on how you work. So let;s talk about some practical ways instructors and studio owners can navigate teaching during hotter weather while continuing to support their students and themselves.
Your Class Plans Don’t Need To Stay The Same – One of the most valuable skills any instructor can develop is adaptability. What works perfectly in a cool studio on a spring evening may not be the most appropriate approach during a heatwave. Hot weather can affect energy levels, grip, concentration, endurance, and recovery. Students may get more tired more quickly than usual, and instructors often experience the same thing. Rather than viewing this as a problem to push through, it can be helpful to see it as an opportunity to adjust your teaching approach.
That might mean spending longer on technique-based work, focusing on quality over quantity, taking out high-intensity elements, looking at flow that doesn’t require as solid grip in order to still encourage movement. Students are still learning, progressing, and getting value from their training, but in a way that acknowledges the conditions they're working in. After all, being flexible with your planning doesn't lower the quality of your teaching. If anything, it demonstrates your ability to respond to the needs of the people in front of you – and your students will respond well to that, and will respect that.
Look After Yourself Like You Tell Your Students To – As instructors, we’re often very good at reminding students to drink water, rest when needed, and pay attention to how they;re
feeling. Sometimes, the challenge is remembering to follow that advice ourselves. When you;re focused on teaching, spotting, demonstrating, answering questions, and keeping classes running smoothly, it’s easy for your own needs to drop down the priority list. Before you know it, you;ve taught several classes, barely stopped moving, and forgotten to drink enough water all day.
Creating simple habits can make a big difference. Keeping water within easy reach, allowing yourself time between sessions where possible, and making sure you;re eating regularly throughout the day can all help maintain energy levels during busy teaching periods. Looking after yourself isn;t separate from looking after your students, the two are closely connected,
and they are both important.
Give Yourself Permission To Demonstrate Less – Many instructors feel a responsibility to demonstrate everything themselves. While demonstrations are an important teaching tool, they aren't the only teaching tool available to you. During hotter weather, repeatedly performing skills throughout multiple classes can quickly become physically demanding. This is particularly true for instructors teaching several sessions in a row. Your knowledge, communication skills, and ability to observe movement are what make you an effective instructor. Clear explanations, technical breakdowns, appropriate progressions, and constructive feedback all contribute to student learning just as much as demonstrations do.
There may be times when demonstrating a skill is absolutely necessary, but there may also be opportunities to rely more heavily on verbal coaching. Conserving your energy where appropriate can help you maintain the same standard of teaching throughout the day. Make Small Changes To Your Studio Environment- Studio owners often can;t control the weather, but there are usually small adjustments that can help make the environment more manageable.
Simple considerations such as improving airflow, encouraging students to bring water bottles, allowing additional breaks where needed, or reviewing class capacities during particularly hot periods can all contribute to a more comfortable experience. It;s also worth considering whether certain classes need adapting temporarily. Heatwaves don;t last forever, and making sensible adjustments for a short period of time can support both student wellbeing and instructor sustainability. Sometimes it;s the smaller changes that have the biggest impact. A few thoughtful adaptations can help everyone feel more comfortable and supported while temperatures remain high.
Communicate With Your Students – One of the easiest ways to reduce pressure during a heatwave is through clear communication. If you;re adapting classes, changing lesson plans, building in extra rest periods, or making adjustments to keep people safe, tell your students why. Most people are incredibly understanding when they know the reasoning behind a decision.
Open communication also helps manage expectations. Students are more likely to feel positive about adaptations when they understand that they;re being made thoughtfully and intentionally.
It can also encourage students to be honest about how they;re feeling. Creating an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up if they;re struggling with the heat helps everyone have a safer and more enjoyable experience. The reality is that teaching during a heatwave can be challenging. Instructors and studio owners are often balancing their own wellbeing alongside the responsibility of supporting an entire community of students.
Whilst we absolutely should continue talking about how students can train safely during hot weather, it;s equally important to recognise that instructors and studio owners need support
too. After all, the people leading classes and running studios are experiencing the same conditions, often for much longer periods of time.
Come back and join us next month for another edition of the XPERT blog where we talk all things pole, aerial, training, development and much more. And hopefully by then, the heat here in the UK will be a little less extreme, and we’ll all be back to our usual pole and aerial training schedules!