Welcome back to another edition of the XPERT blog, where we chat about all things pole, aerial, teaching and professional development. Whether you're just starting your instructor
journey or you've been teaching for years, there's always something new to discover in our industry. This month, we;re talking about why some of the very best instructors never stop
learning, and why continuing to be a student yourself can make all the difference to the experience you create for those you teach.
One of the most rewarding parts of becoming a qualified pole or aerial instructor is reaching that point where you can confidently stand at the front of a class and share your knowledge with others. You;ve worked hard to develop your skills, completed your instructor training, and built the confidence to guide students through their own journeys. It is something to be incredibly proud of, and to be mega excited about. All of that being said, qualifying as an instructor isn;t the finish line – and in a lot of ways, it’s just the beginning.
Something that becomes clear after you've been teaching for a while is that the fitness industry never stands still. Teaching methods evolve, research develops, coaching
techniques improve and our understanding of movement continues to grow – and pole and aerial are no different. New ideas emerge, different ways of breaking down skills are shared and instructors are constantly finding better ways to help students learn safely and confidently.
The instructors who continue to make the biggest impact are often those who never stop being students themselves. They remain curious, they ask questions and they actively look for opportunities to develop, regardless of how long they’ve been teaching. Continuing to learn is a sign that you truly care about becoming the best instructor you can be. Learning Doesn;t Stop Once You Qualify – Receiving your instructor certification is a huge achievement, but no qualification or training can possibly teach you absolutely everything you will experience throughout your teaching career. Every class is different because every student is different. You'll teach nervous beginners, confident studio regulars, students returning after injury, people who learn visually, others who need hands-on progressions and those who simply need a little extra encouragement before they believe in themselves.
These experiences are what will shape you into being a stronger, more well-rounded instructor.
Every class you teach gives you something new to think about. Sometimes you;ll discover a cue that suddenly helps an entire group understand a movement, other times you;ll realise that a progression you have always used isn;t working for one particular student, so you adapt and find another way. Those moments are all part of your education and they continue long after your initial qualification. The more open you are to learning, the more tools you have available when those situations arise.
Take Classes Whenever You Can – It can be surprisingly easy for instructors to stop attending classes once they begin teaching regularly. Schedules become busy and our priorities change and it can feel as though all your training time is spent supporting everyone else. But – there is enormous value in making time to be the student again.
Taking pole and aerial classes with other instructors allows you to experience different coaching styles, different ways of explaining techniques and different approaches to lesson planning. You may find a warm up that inspires your own classes, hear a coaching cue that makes perfect sense or see a creative progression that helps unlock a skill you've been teaching for years. And it doesn’t have to be a ‘famous’ instructor either – you can learn these skills within your studio and local community as well as travelling outside of it.
Something else important about taking classes is also this: it reminds you exactly how your own students feel. We've all experienced moments where a new skill feels intimidating, confusing or frustrating. Sitting on the other side of the instructor-student relationship helps us remember what that feels like. It reinforces the importance of patience, encouragement and creating an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions without worrying about getting things wrong.
Learn From More Than Just Pole and Aerial – Some of the most valuable lessons don;t always come from another pole or aerial instructor. Workshops in anatomy, mobility, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, communication, coaching psychology and inclusive teaching can all influence the way you teach. Even if the subject doesn't seem directly connected to pole or aerial, there is often something you can bring back into your own classes.
The more knowledge you build around movement and coaching, the more confident you become when adapting exercises, supporting different bodies and helping students progress safely. Being a great instructor isn't just about knowing how to perform impressive skills – you need to know how to help others to achieve them, in a way that works for them and their body.
Be Comfortable Saying "I Don't Know" – There can sometimes be pressure to feel like we have all the answers. After all, students come to us for guidance and support. The reality is that no instructor knows everything.
Sometimes a student will ask a question you've never been asked before. Sometimes new research will challenge something you've always believed. Occasionally another instructor
will demonstrate a method you've never seen. Those moments shouldn't be viewed as weaknesses. They are opportunities to learn. There is nothing wrong with saying, "That's a great question. Let me look into that and come back to you." In fact, students often appreciate that honesty because it demonstrates
professionalism rather than guesswork. It also models something incredibly valuable, that learning is an ongoing process, regardless of experience. Your Students Benefit When You Keep Growing – Continuing your own development isn't just beneficial for you. Your students benefit from it every time they walk through your studio doors.
As you gain more experience, you'll become more adaptable. You'll recognise movement patterns more quickly, communicate more clearly and develop a wider range of teaching strategies. You'll also become better equipped to support students with different goals, backgrounds and learning styles.
We don’t just do CPD for the sake of having a bunch of certificates to our name. CPD is about building confidence, refining your teaching and continually improving the experience you provide for every student who trusts you with their training. One of the greatest things about the pole and aerial community is that there is always something new to discover. Whether it is attending a workshop, completing another XPERT instructor course, learning from colleagues or simply stepping into someone else's class, every opportunity to learn helps shape the instructor you become.
One of the best qualities an instructor can have is humility – no matter how experienced we become, there is always another perspective to hear, another technique to explore and another lesson to take away. After all, the best instructors don't stop being students, they simply become students who also have the privilege of helping others learn. 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. Until then, take this as your sign to book your next CPD training. At XPERT we have an extensive library of courses, from pole and aerial, to mental health and pre and postnatal, to children’s coaching and much more.
Whatever your focus – we have a course for you.