teaching pole: how many hours max?

poleshred started this discussion · 12/31/2011

My dearest studioveeners! I am a poleinstructor at an awesome studio, I currently teach 4,5 hours a week. Now I have been offered the opportunity to work 15 hours a week as an instructor, and besides that work on my own company. I am very excited about it, but I dont know: when am I overdoing it? I still need time for me, improving my poledancing skills... So ladies who teach: What is your experience with the amount of hours you can handle? Will 15 hours a week of teaching just leave me too tired to train for myself? Is it too much of a strain on the body? (I also snowboard 2 days a week in winter). When am I overdoing it? I even heard that too much sport can lower libido (because of decrease in oestrogen)? Thanks very much in advance, super looking forward to get some tips!

7 replies

Mary Ellyn · 12/31/2011
I teach about 12 hours a week and I feel pretty maxed out on that but then I'm also 51 years old! LOL My initial thought is that it sounds like too much to take on. You risk over use injuries and burn out. However it also depends on what type of classes those are and are they all pole classes? My advanced classes are much more strenuous to teach than my basic/intermediate. It also depends on the format of the class - my tricks classes are more work than my choreography classes. What is your teaching style...do you lead the students through most of the class or do you show them once or twice and then guide them as they do it? etc. When you say "work on your own company" do you mean you'll be part owner of this business? That takes up a lot of extra time...as does being the head pole instructor. You have a lot of work to do researching and choreographing and developing lesson plans. Probably about 20 hours a week. After you figure out all of the above, remember you need time to continue to work out, stretch and dance for yourself.
poleshred · 12/31/2011
Thank you Empyrean for your answer! The working on my own company means I am trying to start working as a freelance graphic designer, something totally different :) I also figured that if I work 15 hours, it should probably include teaching 2-3 stretching classes, and a few hours for figuring out a choreo. I teach beginners and intermediates and how I teach is: showing and explaining the trick, then guide all 12 girls individually as they learn it. Each class is 1,5 hours, including a good 30 min warm up and stretch.... (I am not owner of the studio, the ownder developes the lesson plans etc...) ps pretty awesome that you are 51 and such an active poleteacher!!!! That inspires me!
reenie aka Mysfit · 12/31/2011
Hey....I shall chime in as I have worked coaching/teaching most of my life... I second everything Empy said too.....🙂 I would say it sounds like a bit much, but it would depend on how well you are able to keep yourself "fresh" I coached gymnastics & trampoline to all ages/abilities for years. When I was younger, it wasn't so bad coaching 25 hours a week and then running the gym. However, in my late 20's.....I got seriously BURNT out. I stopped coaching completely for a few years and worked in offices taking contracts to fix companies that were ooperating in the red. I got back involved in the fitness industry in 2000, went back to coaching less hours a week while working in the offices.....it was enough to renew my passion.....then I went back to school, got a full certification in Personal Training, including a Kin background.......Opened my own studio for personal training, group fit and pole......Been doing that ever since. I love it......... but...... It takes it toll as Empy metnioned. I train/teach 12-15 hours a week, plus manage everything else. I love it though! I love my clients and students and they help keep me fresh! If I feel a burn out coming on, I will take a workshop, course, seminar etc(which has to be done anways to keep my certification current--need 16 CEC's) but it also rejuvenates me. Right now, I am working on a degree through the Cory Holly Institute for a Certified Sports Nutrition Advisor. I like empy.....am on the older side. The long days catch up.....but in my case----Its soooooo worth it! Love my life!!
chemgoddess1 · 12/31/2011
Are the poles set up so all you have to do is come in and teach? This is what kills me the most, on top of working a regular 40 hour job. If your body is not used to this I would think that many hours would burn you out rather quickly. Since I started teaching I have had no time or even desire to work on my own pole progression which totally sucks.
pegasusaerialfitness · 1/1/2012
You might want to also consider how the day lays out. The times you teach might be easy or very hard. You have to work with your own body clock. I start my days at 7am with teaching Pilates and Barre Fusion. Later morning I ad the Aerial fitness classes and more Pilates and Barre..The rest of the day goes like that intil about 5 or 6pm. ( there are of course breaks inbetween classes and privates. I work 6 days a week and end of teaching about 25 to 40 hours of classes a week. (it depends on my other instructors availabilty on how much I work) I also certify instructors in Pegasus Barre Fusion Classes every few months. (This is my biz, so it's all I do. I put about 60-70 hours a week into it with all the admin and other stuff) I used to start some days at 6am, but I always felt a little sick to my stomach the rest of the day and way too tired that I had to stop. (I did it for 7 years and hated every day I did it) I also have a hard time witht the late night classes. I'm fried. Typically fitness hours our more like a split shift. I think it would be harder to have to teach only one class at a time then have a few hour break, then to put a couple all together. So consider your 'tooling up time" too. Getting there before students, preping for the class, picking music, driving, giving yourself enough time to eat, to change....My guess is that it would be easier to teach 3 shifts of the (10 classes) a week..verses teaching 6 shfits..because the more shifts the more prep you have. Physically you will learn to pace yourself. I am not really getting a very good workout when I teach, because I am teaching, I have to also do my workouts on top of teaching. (Cardio, Pilates, and Pole...what nice about the Pole is that now I don't have to do weights for my upper body anymore) If it is a choreographed class...thats more physically tiring. It easier to demo...then coach. I'm always walking around adjusting people and such or changing equipment springs, hand placements....blah, blah, blah.. I always tell people to follow your gut, and you wont know until you try. Can you ask just to take a few more classes and be a subber? then you can try it out. I appreciate instructors just being honest with me. If she is the owner she can pick up the slack... I always do.
poleshred · 1/1/2012
Thank you so much ladies for al the helpfull information!!! It will be a great help in making my descision! I guess 15 hours should not be underestimated, especially when I still want to improve myself as a poledancer! And one thing I want to be VERY carefull with, is losing fun in teaching and poledancing, because its 'too much'. Thank you ladies!!!
pegasusaerialfitness · 1/1/2012
Ps... age has actually helped me, not hurt me. I'm 42 and have more endurance then I did 20 years ago when I taught. I'm smarter, I know how to take care of my tool (my body and mind), I spot better and safer now, I have better body alignment, and know when to stop and take a break.