The Reality Check
December has been a reality check in a different way. Body Combat in this month is tough, routines shift, evenings get darker, work runs late and social festive plans take over. Classes that are usually steady can suddenly feel unpredictable.
Recently, my Friday night Combat numbers have dropped more than usual. Not seeing regular faces is disheartening, you still do the prep, fine tune the coaching and build the playlist, only for a smaller group to walk through the door. It is hard not to take that personally.
Showing Up Anyway
When that happens, you have a choice. You can let the numbers affect your energy, or you can focus on the people who did turn up. They made the effort, they showed up when it would have been easier to stay home.
Those are the sessions where discipline matters more than motivation.
I remind myself to stay focused, bring the same passion, coach technique properly and let the music flow. A smaller room still deserves a strong class and often, those sessions feel more personal, more connected.
Teaching is not about the numbers. It is about the people in front of you.
Teaching Outside the Comfort Zone
I am realistic about this. When you teach outside peak hours, evenings and weekends, there is always a risk of a drop in attendance. That is part of the deal but I do envy instructors who have a slot that stays busy regardless of the season, but that is not the reality everywhere.
It does not make the work any less valuable. Consistency still matters, standards still matter and passion still matters.
Looking Ahead
December tests instructors in a quieter way. It is less about fitness and more about mindset.
You have to stay grounded.
You have to trust what you bring to the room.
You have to accept that numbers fluctuate, but effort should not.
January will come. People will return and new faces will appear. Until then, you teach the class you have, not the one you wish you had because for someone in that room, that session mattered more than you know.