Transitions play an integral part in cueing. To improve class flow and reap the benefits of muscular and cardiovascular endurance, it is important to keep the class moving with proper transitions between exercises. To achieve this, tell participants what you want them to do in time with the music.
A new movement should begin on the first beat of the 8-count phrase. Keep in mind that you do not have to change your movement with every 8-count phrase, but when a change occurs it should begin with beat 1 of a new 8-count phrase. For the movement change to occur on the first beat of the new phrase, transitions must be cued ahead of time, typically using 4- beats or 2- beats of music prior to the change.
4-beat cues – beneficial when teaching a new move or needing to be more specific.
2-beat cues – beneficial when participants are familiar with movement and just need a reminder of what is coming next.
Lengthy explanations of how to do an exercise are not necessary before a change and may detract from the experience. If an exercise or movement change requires more detail, consider teaching a demonstration of the exercise before the workout begins or breaking down the exercise into smaller components that can be learned and linked together to create the final outcome. Coaching cues on how to execute the exercise, proper form and alignment, and motivation occur during the repetitions of the exercise or movement combination.
Timing tips:
- Basic cues are usually placed during the last 2-4 beats of an 8 count. The number of words that are needed determines how many beats are necessary to complete your cue.
- Using an anticipatory cue such as counting down will assist you with placing the key cues at the right time.
- Keep your choreography simple and complete enough repetitions of each step or movement so that you have time to cue the next movement or exercise.
Instructor practice
In this section you will work on creating and writing 4-beat and 2-beat cues, followed by timing practice for an effective delivery.
- Upper body combination 1 – write 4-beat and 2-beat cues to use for the combination; self-practice.
- Upper body combination 2 – video practice delivering 4-beat and 2-beat cues.
- Lower body combination 1 – write 4-beat and 2-beat cues to use for the combination; self-practice.
- Lower body combination 2 – video practice delivering 4-beat and 2-beat cues
- Lower body combination 3 – write 4-beat and 2-beat cues to use for the combination; self-practice.
Instructor written practice: Upper Body Combination 1
Practice writing 4-beat and 2-beat cues. Think about what needs to be said to make the appropriate transition. Download the “Upper Body Combination 1” form. Review the video practice from upper body combination 1.
- Write out 4-beat cues for each of the movements. Make note of any visual cues you might use.
- Write out 2-beat cues for each of the movements. Again, make note of any visual cues you might use.
- Put on your favorite fitness CD or playlist and practice cueing upper body combination 1 4x with 4-beat cues and 4x with 2-beat cues.
Drill practice:
Let’s practice together, cueing 4-beats and 2-beats prior to a movement change, using upper body combination 2:
4x (8ct) alt shoulder roll back – w/alt side tap
4x (8ct) alt reach across chest – w/alt side tap
4x (8ct) alt reach up to corners – w/alt side tap
1x (8ct) arms circle up and out – feet steady
*This drill will be taught and practiced with YOU leading mirror image. This means in the video, you will practice the drill teaching to the trainer’s real right and left. YOU will be teaching “instructor” right and left. RIGHT and LEFT will be on screen to remind you that you are teaching to your audience’s right and left.
The combination will be taught four times using 4-beat cues. Then it will be taught four times using 2-beat cues. You will then be given an opportunity to practice four times using 4-beat cues and another four times using 2-beat cues. Visual prompts will appear on the screen to help you.
Note: The visual prompts come quickly and are 4-beats and then 2-beats before the change at the top of the 8-count phrase.
Instructor written practice: Lower Body Combination 1
Practice writing 4-beat and 2-beat cues. Think about what needs to be said to make the appropriate transition. Download the “Lower Body Combination 1” form. Review the video practice from Lower body combination 1.
- Write out 4-beat cues for each of the movements. Make note of any visual cues you might use.
- Write out 2-beat cues for each of the movements. Again, make note of any visual cues you might use.
- Put on your favorite fitness CD or playlist and practice cueing lower body combination 1 4x with 4-beat cues and 4x with 2-beat cues.
Drill practice:
Let’s practice together, cueing 4-beats and 2-beats prior to a movement change, using lower body combination 2:
1x (8ct) 4x-knee repeater
4x (8ct) alt heel dig front
4x (8ct) alt hamstring curl
2x (8ct) squat
*This drill will be taught and practiced with YOU leading mirror image. This means in the video, you will practice the drill teaching to the trainer’s real right and left. YOU will be teaching “instructor” right and left. RIGHT and LEFT will be on screen to remind you that you are teaching to your audience’s right and left.
The combination will be taught two times using 4-beat cues. Then it will be taught two times using 2-beat cues. You will then be given an opportunity to practice two times through using 4-beat cues and another two times using 2-beat cues. Visual prompts will appear on the screen to help you.
Note: The visual prompts come quickly and are 4-beats and then 2-beats before the change at the top of the 8-count phrase.
Instructor writing practice: write 4-beat and 2-beat cues:
Using lower body combination 3 practice writing 4-beat and 2-beat cues. Think about what needs to be said to make the appropriate transition. Review our practice from lower body combination 3. Create your own graph to make notes.
- Write out 4-beat cues for each of the movements. Make note of any visual cues you might use.
- Write out 2-beat cues for each of the movements. Again, make note of any visual cues you might use.
- Put on your favorite fitness CD or playlist and practice cueing lower body combination 3 4x with 4-beat cues and 4x with 2-beat cues.
Lower body combination 3:
1x (4ct) walk forward 4cts + 1x (4ct) out-out-in-in
1x (4ct) walk backward 4cts + 1x (4ct) out-out-in-in
4x (8ct) alt side squat
2x (8ct) calf raise