7 tips to boost your class energy
Has it ever happened to you to sit in front of a blank sheet where your next lesson
(or the series of lessons) planned for the week will go, with nothing coming to mind?
Or to show up to class completely drained and desperately need to pull something out of a hat to avoid delivering the most slow session imaginable?
This article offers seven ideas, ordered by required effort, to shake things up and energize your lessons.
Before starting
“Those who fail to plan their training are planning to fail.”
Any worthwhile course needs a long, medium, and short-term program; often, a lack of ideas or the need to improvise stems from poor planning.
It’s crucial to stress that these ideas, without a solid and sensible program, turn into mere gimmicks nothing more than special effects added to a movie without a clear beginning or end.
Teaching amateur gym clients demands balancing compromises between class needs, what excites and motivates the group to stay cohesive, and keeping your own energy high. These seven ideas aren’t supposed to be a fix for bad programming.
Instead, used sparingly like spices rather than the main course, they add flair to well-structured lessons.
Let’s dive right in!
1. Using a leitmotif
This is the simplest approach, so it’s first.
It involves weaving a guiding theme through the entire lesson, one that makes sense and adds value. Some exemples:
• Attention and proper reaction: Whatever students are doing, on the “burpees” command, everyone drops for one. If the group executes reasonably together, move on; otherwise, add four or nine more based on fitness level.
• Adaptation: Keep the class jogging the whole hour, tackling challenges like putting on gear while moving.
• New situations: Ban the dominant arm for everything (or just non-technical moves, if you’re feeling generous).
2. Changing the scenario
This simple tactic needs little or no prep and forces athletes to rethink familiar skills in a new light. Here some exemples:
• Switch locations: Train outdoors, in gym parking lots, a pub interior, or locker rooms (with permissions). Essential for self-defense classes periodically (safely), and great for martial arts or combat sports to reframe techniques.
• Everyday clothes: Wear regular outfits that can get roughed up. Another must for self-defense training.
3. Breaking down to basics
Mastery of your system’s structure is key here.
Strip techniques to core elements for better understanding extract movement components from attacks or defenses.
Instructors often overlook basics for beginners; focus on one technique’s building blocks, synergies, timing, and purpose to craft engaging lessons without boring lectures.
Decompose by isolating moves, timing choices, and distance applicability, not by adding details.
4. Technical connections
Building on the previous, this needs deep system knowledge.
Link techniques from the same family or sharing movement/application similarities.
Brains thrive on networks; this sparks interest and reinforces learning.
Pick a technique, break it down, find overlaps with others, then train in parallel or use one as a bridge to improve the target via specific constraints.
5. Case studies
Requires system expertise and extra prep as complexity rises.
For self-defense, dissect real scenarios with video footage to instantly hook the class; the lesson builds itself.
For combat sports, study pros’ solutions in matches: short vs. tall builds (and vice versa), counters to leg kicks, rushes or retreats, or technique specialists in boxing/kickboxing.
For grappling: unusual throws, projection defenses, position transitions, bottom escapes, creative subs and counters, but real competition analysis, not tutorials. Pick class-appropriate actions.
6. Questions and answers
Hand the floor to the class: Ask what they want to learn or improve, write down 5-6 ideas on the board, and weave them into a coherent lesson.
Deep system knowledge, creativity, and improv help, though questions often repeat if you know your students.
7. Self-coaching
The ultimate “lazy” instructor mode: Post-warmup (make it thorough), the class runs itself, but your setup and oversight ensure productivity over chaos.
Ideal for advanced groups spotting flaws in technique or sparring. Split into group of 3: two train, one films (phone).
For 2 minutes round, film the active partner (sparring or drills/mitts); review to note one good thing and one to fix next round.
Rotate roles over six rounds so everyone films, trains, and reviews twice: check if improvements stuck.
Repeat for multiple techniques, directing timing and procedures externally.
In concluson
These seven practical ideas help escape tough lessons when drained or blank, then return to routine programming.
Some work as spices in regular classes, but they never replace long, medium, and short-term planning.
