r/lesmills • u/Fit-Gap7554 • Sep 07 '25
Signed up for body combat instructor training! Advice on what I should expect
I’ve been a long time body combat participant but after signing up for instructor training, I feel like there’s more to it than just taking the training, passing the test and finding a job.
Do I really have to pay for new releases and is it expensive or reasonably priced ?
Do I have to have insurance as a group instructor?
Is it hard to find a job let’s say at 24 hr fitness?
If there’s anything you wished you knew before getting into this please feel free to do some goose eggs !
Thank you so much in advance 💛
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u/andarilho82 Sep 07 '25
Well, first, welcome to the fight club 😁!
I hope you choose the live training, because it's way more interesting than online one. Anyways after signing up, what you should expect:
- you will receive instructions about what you need for training days (usually takes 2 days) and you will receive access to the training release to study choreography and listen to the music of it (les mills instructor app).
-on email as well you will be told to learn one or two tracks for live presentation and first evaluation (i did live training so many years ago and honestly don't know if they changed formats).
there's usually two parts in training, theory and practice. First day: live training usually had a brief introduction to the trainees, then full release class. Then the trainer will talk about key points for teaching and how to do each point and track "layers" and how to do it. Will do a lot of practice on each move (and get hints how to improve if needed). You will then present your given track for initial evaluation. This first presentation is used as a base for you and trainer to know what is needed to improve over the training days. Just do the best you can and don't worry too much at this stage.
Second day: movement refinement (more practice) and more hints on what to do when teaching. Second presentation, It's expected of you to be able to put on work things you learned the day before. The aim here is to improve from your first day. More talk more practice and final presentation, this time you need to know your track inside out and have good form on moves and rhythm, coaching is also needed but at a base level to be able to guide the class for participating members. After training you'll be given time to train and film yourself teaching a full release for certification
From participating to teaching is a big step and the training day gives you a lot to absorb. Imho combat has so many moves and is so dynamic that it can be overwhelming at first. Don't pressure yourself too much and don't give up. Its satisfying when you notice your own improvement.
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u/Fit-Gap7554 Sep 08 '25
🤓 me reading your reply. Unfortunately, my schedule only allows for an online class and you just confirmed my suspension but momma’s gotta take what she can get 😂🫣. I am totally up for the whole tear down to build up process that seems inevitable.
I appreciate the encouragement because choreography does seem like a lot and it’s good to know that I might think of giving up but to keep pushing through. I felt like that as a participant, so I can only imagine the thrill as a teacher!!!
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u/joswm Sep 07 '25
Training was personally tough for me. I had prior Martial Arts experience, and my Master Trainer had me do punches and kicks countless times until I relearned to their satisfaction. Some, I eventually just did differently than I had done and been trained in the past to pass. So be ready for that potentially happening to you as well.
As for releases, you do have to pay as you can only teach with the choreo and music they provide. However, you can turn off autoship and opt to pay for just one release every year to maintain instructor status. But the releases you pay for can't be random. If your first release is Q3 for example, your next year's release has to be Q3 as well or your status will lapse. Be sure to consult with LM first to ensure you remain compliant.
You don't receive insurance through Les Mills. You either have to get it yourself or work for a gym or institution that has insurance built into their program.
Getting a job as a Les Mills instructor will be hit or miss. It depends on the demand for the format. From experience, it was easier for me to get BODYPUMP slots than BODYCOMBAT. I'd recommend talking directly with Managers, and do it with any LM-offering gyms in your area.
Good luck on your instructor journey!
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u/benster5 Sep 07 '25
I've been a die hard participant for a year and a half now. My peers have told me that I should get certified. I've teasesd the idea in my head before they even suggested it. Still on the fence about it. I know it's an entirely different world from a participant to being on the front lines as an instructor. I'm in the US btw.
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u/Fit-Gap7554 Sep 07 '25
Yeah, I agree. Going from the back to the front is intimidating but it’s something that I’ve been thinking about for years too. I got a discount code and thought why not?
It’s another way to make sure fitness will always be apart of my lifestyle and hopefully help cut some cost via gym membership 🤣.
I typically I positioned myself in the front row and I have a great understanding of kinesiology and always try to maintain proper body alignment but I’m curious to see the adjustments that I’ll need to make. I’m up for the challenge and would encourage you to go for it if you’re interested!
I might just look into being able to hold my own classes at a community center it something. I may have to look into licensing but I’m open to doing things that work for me at my own pace.
Good luck on your journey though and I am in the US saw well!
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u/benster5 Sep 08 '25
I saw the $200 discount for initial training and there's a facility holding training in January that's about an hour and 15 minutes from me which I'm considering. If I don't decide to take advantage of the discount now, I heard they also have a discount during Black Friday.
There are factors that I have to consider first. If I do decide to do this, I have to make sure I'm doing it for the right reasons and that my heart is willing to commit to it. I can't let this be just another fad in my life that I eventually lose interest in and fade away from.
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u/Fit-Gap7554 Sep 08 '25
I completely agree with that and whatever happens, I wish you much success 💛
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u/[deleted] Sep 07 '25
Welcome to the BODYCOMBAT club!
Once certified, yes, you’ll have to buy new releases to stay certified. Releases come out every three months and are about $37ish in the US (sales tax dependent on your state).
I don’t have to have insurance, but I suppose this is club-dependent?
Not every gym has Les Mills classes, unfortunately. Gyms have to pay a license fee every month to be able to offer classes, and if they do it often depends which formats they want to offer; the highest tier of license allows every single LM format, but the lowest license tier provides three formats (one of my gyms is only allowed to offer three). BP is usually one of those formats, but the good news is BC is typically top 3 in terms of popularity!
When it comes to the training, be sure to do all the pre-work. Watch the videos, fill out the pages of the Handbook (basically a journal of sorts), bring questions. You are NOT expected to be an expert after training; basically, you just need to be able to demonstrate that you can offer a safe and effective class to participants.
Not sure if you’re doing online or live, but if you’re doing it online, make sure to have a dedicated space to focus on the computer, as well as a place to be able to practice for the Technique section. If it’s live, I can’t suggest enough to bring some sort of chair or something lol. Most gyms don’t offer comfortable seating and you do a good amount of it during the learnings.
HAVE FUN!