Lack of Mentorship Stalling Instructor Growth, Report Finds
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
A new report commissioned by Les Mills highlights the ongoing struggle within the fitness industry to attract and retain talent, particularly group training instructors. As many fitness businesses continue to face labor shortages post-pandemic, the report, Nurturing the Next Gen: Blueprint for Instructor Recruitment, aims to provide timely insights into the motivations and barriers preventing young people from entering the industry.
The study, which surveyed 2,500 young people globally who are open to working in fitness, revealed that a lack of mentorship is the leading factor stopping many from pursuing certification as group instructors. Confidence issues were also frequently cited as a significant barrier. This comes at a time when fitness businesses are grappling with staffing challenges and a highly competitive job market.
Interestingly, the report found that many strong instructor candidates are already part of the fitness community. Nearly 73% of respondents are current gym members, with 60% participating in group training—nearly half of them attending classes at least once a week. These findings suggest that gym operators might not need to look far for potential talent, but will need to address the mentorship and support gaps to successfully recruit and retain them.
Diversity in recruitment efforts could also play a role in addressing these shortages. The report notes that males make up 42% of strong Next Gen instructor prospects, indicating an opportunity for fitness businesses to cast a wider net in their search for talent.
One of the key findings is that many young prospects view becoming a group training instructor as a chance to turn a hobby into a profession, which could offer a long-term solution to staffing challenges if effectively nurtured.
Phillip Mills, Managing Director of Les Mills, emphasized the importance of mentoring new talent. “The live workout boom shows fitness remains a people business, and star instructors are the backbone of thriving clubs,” said Mills. “Nurturing new talent with mentorship from experienced instructors is a strategy for sustained club success.”
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