by One Playground
One Playground is made up of Great Humans. And that’s not just our awesome members; our Staff are some of Australia’s best talent across a range of disciplines from coaches and group trainers to our membership and head office teams.
Group training classes are an integral part of the member experience here at One Playground. We offer complete access to a diverse range of fitness and wellness experiences, all under one roof for one affordable membership.
Typically in the fitness industry, if a member wants to incorporate access to a gym, functional classes, reformer and recovery, they must pay for multiple memberships, or limit themselves to just one of the varieties they wish to do.
At One Playground, we’re changing the game, offering access to a huge range of classes and experiences as well as regular gym access, all under one roof and all for one affordable price.
We have over 30 class styles, 500+ classes on the timetable and 120 incredible instructors leading the way. From Athletica to Reformer Pilates to CircusFit, the variety is like no other!
We caught up with Laura Basta, Head of Group Fitness at One Playground to get the lowdown on what it takes to be part of the One Playground team.
Meet Laura, Head of Group Fitness
Our little Frenchie Laura arrived in Australia ten years ago on a student visa with only two English phrases: “Squats” and “Good, good good”.
Back in Paris, Laura had been a performer her whole life, with a background of working in the circus and fitness. When she discovered Australia, she went all in on the latter and now boasts a CV that spans all kinds of experience from World Champion in Fitness Modelling to starring in Netflix’s Ultimate Beast Master.
Laura joined Fitness Playground (as we were back then) as a Group Fitness Trainer and has worked her way up to become head of the whole department, building the team of trainers, developing classes and going above and beyond for our members’ experience.
Laura’s journey means she knows exactly what members want as well as first-hand experience of what it means to grow into a superstar instructor.
Laura, what does it take to be a One Playground Group Training Instructor?
We’re interested in trainers regardless of whether they have one hour or 100 hours of experience. We don’t look for experience.
What we look for is passion!
Internally, we have a team of mentors as well as great online tools that we use to train staff to become the next superstars.
Technical knowledge can be taught and experience built over time. So if they’re passionate, a hard worker and dedicated then we’re committed to providing the additional training they might need.
Having said that, at One Playground, we do pride ourselves on our class programming, quality of service and unique offerings. Plus we also empower our Group Trainers to pitch, create and deliver new programs, to create unparalleled class experiences.
What are you looking for during an audition?
An audition is your chance to show us what you can do! We’re looking for that passion to shine through.
We want to see that you’re a people person; classes are about members so can you engage with the attendees of your ‘class’? Are you asking questions, making eye contact and using names? Simple but a great impression.
We also love to see confidence. Auditions can be nerve-wracking and we get that! But even with some jitters, you can still let your confidence show through. That might mean you need to fake the confidence a little at first and often that outward expression can become genuine as you progress through the audition. Fake it ‘till you make it!
Do you have an X-factor? That’s your performance, giving us something that makes us remember you and want to come back to your class. We’re all individuals which is what makes the group exercise environment so exciting; one instructor brings something different to another, something to be encouraged! So lean into your personality and let it shine through.
As I mentioned, expertise and experience come after these three points. Show us passion and potential and you’ll do alright!
What are your top tips on how to nail an audition?
Be prepared.
Talk to the staff before the audition and make sure you have all the information you’ll need for the day. That might be how to connect your music, what you need to present, and what equipment you will have available. This will reduce added stress on the day and let you focus on doing your thing!
Arrive early and interact with staff.
Introduce yourself to the staff and the other trainers in the audition in a polite and friendly manner. Stand out from the crowd by asking questions and taking an interest. Be the person that goes above and beyond.
Be authentic.
While the above is true, don’t try and oversell yourself and be somebody who you’re not. Let the real you shine through!
Have fun. Enjoy it!
Relax into the experience and trust in your abilities. You’ve got to the audition stage for a reason! If the nerves start bubbling up, take some deep breaths and compose yourself. Have a good time and you’ll do your best.
What advice would you give to those starting their career as a Group Trainer?
Learn to be organised
That doesn’t just mean arriving on time. Think bigger than that! Prepare before the class and review after the class. That might mean doing the class yourself, rehearsing what you’re going to say. Then, make notes after class on what went well and what you can improve on to give you guidance for the next class.
Keep going to classes
There’s no better way to ensure a great member experience than to experience being a member! Get really familiar with what it’s like to attend a class, what is too hard, what’s not hard enough, how long it takes to change experiences and all the other elements of a class. Plus you’ll get new inspiration you can take with you.
Don’t overcomplicate your programming
Keep it simple as you build your confidence and familiarity with how classes run. Focus on nailing a few formats and exercises and gradually build these as you go. Simple doesn’t mean easy! Sometimes the simplest of workouts can be the best.
Ask for feedback
And learn how to implement it. Feedback for fitness classes can often feel quite personal and a bit vulnerable. That’s okay! Teaching a class is a bit like a performance and therefore when a piece of feedback comes in, it can feel like a deep comment on who we are. When implemented, feedback is only going to make you better. Learn not to take it personally and rather use it as an opportunity to become the best instructor you can be.
Stay member-focused
Yes, it’s personal but at the end of the day, it’s not about you, it’s about the members! Make sure your programming reflects what will benefit the members and then engage with them! You’ll see the same faces in your classes time and time again. These are your regulars – connect with them! Spend time before, during and after chatting with the members. Ask them about something they mentioned the week before, remember their names, and give them a goal to work on next time.
Create your own community
Building on the above point, Chat with them at the end of class, ask them what they liked and didn’t like, what was hard, what exercises do they hate doing. The more you can get, the better you become and the more personal experience you can give, the more members will return!
If someone is interested in a career in fitness, how do they get started?
There are certain qualifications that you’ll need in order to teach classes. This will be dependent on your style of training and might range from a Cert 3 to 200-Hours Yoga Teacher Training.
On top of that, you need a First Aid Certificate complete with CPR training, Insurance and ABN.
Once you’ve ticked those boxes, it’s easy to begin!
