Developing and testing a motivating communication/teaching style for Les Mills International instructors: A pilot study

The intervention will involve 3 workshops delivered by the research team, each lasting 2-3 hours. The workshops will be developed according to self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan 1985). In the first workshop (3 hours), the basic principles of motivation (based on self-determination theory) will be introduced and specific examples of how these can be manifested in a fitness setting provided. Instructors will be introduced to different communication styles, using examples of fitness-client interactions. Furthermore, how different styles can have a powerful influence on client motivation and adherence will be explained. Group discussions will focus on how to implement a motivationally supportive instructional style and how to avoid using motivationally unsupportive strategies. The latter part of the workshop will involve brainstorming sessions as to how these ideas can be put into practice in a Les Mills RPM session. At the end of the workshop, instructors will be given specially prepared hand-outs on motivation to reinforce and supplement the content of the workshop. After the first workshop, the instructors will be asked to reflect on their own teaching and practise some of the motivational strategies that they were taught in the first workshop. They will also be asked to keep a reflective diary describing what worked, what didn’t, obstacles and ways of overcoming them. They will be encouraged to connect face-to-face or via technology (e.g., an invitation-only Facebook page) to brainstorm examples of good and bad practice. Further, on-line material will be available to supplement and augment the material covered in the workshops. Two weeks following the initial workshop, a booster 3-hour workshop will be offered during which successes and pitfalls in implementing the motivational strategies will be discussed. In addition, reflective diaries will be shared, and further advice will be offered to overcome obstacles. In the second half of the session instructors will be encouraged to use role play to practice using some of the motivational strategies in a mock RPM session. During the third and fourth month of the project, the instructors will be asked to continue keeping a reflective diary and using our online material. A booster training workshop of 2 hours will be offered 8 weeks after the second workshop, at the end of the fourth month of the project. The booster workshop will reinforce the messages from workshops 1 and 2 and give the instructors the opportunity to share how they have found putting into practice the motivational strategies discussed. Additional support will be offered by the researchers to the instructors via telephone or email/Facebook consultations. On the Facebook page we will upload examples of best practice (with commentary from the research team), and there will also be an on-line discussion forum. For that forum, we will encourage the contribution of the 4-5 experienced fitness instructors who will be identified at the beginning of the project.