For those of you who aspire to becoming a fitness instructor, think it through EXCESSIVELY before you do. There is little doubt as to why our profession gets very little respect and this following story is a good example of why.

First, some background: at most health club facilities, the instructor of a class is supposed to find a substitute instructor for their class, if they are unable to teach. Most employers will help their instructors by giving out names and phone numbers of other instructors who are available to teach at the times one needs coverage. With the invention of the internet and email, some instructors have created instructor email groups where you can post the classes you need to find substitutes for. Sounds easy enough, eh? Think again.

One problem with this group mailing list is that some members of the groups (who we assume are all adults) will use it as a way of promoting some sort of "function" they are probably benefiting from. Now, that does not sound bad if said functions have to do with fitness or fitness instruction. One particularly disturbing mailing was an invitation to a Botox party. Are you fucking kidding?!?!??! The person who sent out the Botox invitation was then asked to stop sending out these types of emails. At the same time, a warning was sent out by the group moderator about the rules and function of the instructor email group. The individual who sent out the Botox invitation then began emailing the group with a number of emails basically whining about being reprimanded. Of course, a few other instructors have joined in with the retorts and comebacks - all snowballing into a massive amount of emails that have nothing to do with finding substitutes for classes.

This, my friends, is why we, as fitness instructors, cannot get the respect and benefits that are given to other workers. If you think that there is childish behavior in all career paths, I highly doubt that there is this much elsewhere; and I have worked in four different industries. The childish responses remind me so much of the fights kids used to have on the playground. So, before you come over to our side, think carefully... think very carefully. Later.  ¶ 11:09 PM