Do you have to be certified in "Reaction" to teach @ Bally's?

[jsnowash]

Hi.... I'm new to this forum, and beginning to look into getting certified as an indoor cycling instructor. I'm leaning toward getting certified through the "Spinning" program. I figure after certification, I will try to sub for some classes in some of the many local health clubs in my area until I can get something more regular. Among other clubs, there is a Bally's near me. Can you teach indoor cycling at Bally's with a "Spinning" certification, or do they require "Reaction" certification?

[tamiloew]

Bally's definitely requires their own "Reaction" certification in order to teach Spinning there.

[billpierce]

I'd suggest going to the Bally club near you, asking for the Group Ex Manager or GM, and posing that question. In my market, Bally stopped offering Reaction Cycling training classes a while ago. Absent that, there is no way for an instructor to get certified. If your club is in need of people, they may be willing to accept a Spinning cert. Even more likely, they'd accept a Scwinn cert, since Reaction Cycling is from the Schwinn program. Maybe they'd make a deal to accept another cert with the agreement that you'll get Reaction Cycling certified if and when they start offering the training class again. Mine was free. What does it cost to ask anyway?

[Paul S.]

I understand from our area Bally group ex manager that all certs and continuing ed are on hold. So there is a no way to get the Reaction cert now. I also have the Schwinn cycling cert and while it is very similar, the Reaction training was longer (2 days not 1) so I'm not sure they would accept Schwinn.

I'm sure you're aware that Bally is now in bankruptcy for the second time and they have closed some clubs (including the one in my town) and cut back on classes. Since my Bally club closed, I've subbed at other Bally clubs in the area, as some other Bally instructors do. So I really doubt that many Bally clubs need to hire more instructors, even as subs.

If you do consider teaching at Bally, consider that, in my area at least, Reaction classes are only 45 minutes and they only pay instructors 75% of their hourly rate.

OP, you said there were other clubs in your area. I would really pursue all of the others before Bally. By the way, don't assume that you will need to sub at a particular club before you can get a regular class there. Every place I've taught, I got my own class without subbing there first.

[billpierce]

Originally Posted by Paul S.

I understand from our area Bally group ex manager that all certs and continuing ed are on hold. So there is a no way to get the Reaction cert now. I also have the Schwinn cycling cert and while it is very similar, the Reaction training was longer (2 days not 1) so I'm not sure they would accept Schwinn.

I'm sure you're aware that Bally is now in bankruptcy for the second time and they have closed some clubs (including the one in my town) and cut back on classes. Since my Bally club closed, I've subbed at other Bally clubs in the area, as some other Bally instructors do. So I really doubt that many Bally clubs need to hire more instructors, even as subs.

If you do consider teaching at Bally, consider that, in my area at least, Reaction classes are only 45 minutes and they only pay instructors 75% of their hourly rate.

OP, you said there were other clubs in your area. I would really pursue all of the others before Bally. By the way, don't assume that you will need to sub at a particular club before you can get a regular class there. Every place I've taught, I got my own class without subbing there first.

Fact checker -
Bally came out of bankruptcy a couple of weeks ago. It's in public records.
I have 3 classes per week at different Bally clubs in the Chicagoland area. All of them are a full hour and I get paid 100% of my measly hourly rate.

I'm not a Bally backer, but there's no need for you to be a Bally hater. I'd still suggest jsnowash mozy on over to his or her local Bally club and see what's shaking. Even if they aren't looking for instructors, they may need their snow washed, which I'm sure that j is an expert at.

[Funhog]

Originally Posted by billpierce

Fact checker -
Even if they aren't looking for instructors, they may need their snow washed, which I'm sure that j is an expert at.

You're like a fine wine Bill, you get even better with age!

[jsnowash]

Originally Posted by billpierce

Fact checker -
Even if they aren't looking for instructors, they may need their snow washed, which I'm sure that j is an expert at.

Too funny!! For the record.... j is my first initial and snow - ash is a mash-up of my maiden & married names. Thanks for the input, everyone!

[Paul S.]

Sorry, I didn't mean to be so negative about Bally. I had been following the news about the company but missed that they had actually exited the second bankruptcy. They do have a way to go to reestablish the position they once had in the fitness industry.

I just wanted jsnowash (took a while for me to get your joke, Bill) not to be discouraged if she doesn't hear back from her Bally club's group ex manager, and to pursue opportunities at other clubs.

I'll always be grateful to Bally for giving me my start in instructing, and I'm holding out the slim hope that the company will grow strong enough again to open a club in my immediate area. That's why I'm still occasionally subbing at Bally clubs some distance away. Just last week, I subbed a Powerflex (Bally's barbell) class, and when the instructor for the following Reaction class didn't show up, subbed that too - even though that meant getting out of there at 8:15 pm, 15 hours after I had taught a class at another club then went to my full-time job, with a 45-minute drive home!

[SpinningInPrescott]

Originally Posted by Funhog

You're like a fine wine Bill, you get even better with age!

And Bill's definitely not a fine winer...

lol

Bally bashers...pox on them... jk

[Megale]

I would keep up your certification (and I have to) by going to Schwinn classes at Manias and Idea. And to our friends to the North Can fit pro. Until someone says different Keep it as you learned it. I will be at Mania in California in April 2010 I hope to see some of you there.
Meg