Great Classes Start Before You Enter The Gym

We’ve all heard the phrase “fail to prepare, prepare to fail,” and nowhere is it more true than in group coaching. Preparation allows us to coach safely, confidently, and effectively.

Yes—you can wing it. Experience will carry you through most days. But ask yourself honestly: are you giving your members the class they deserve?

Every coach knows the feeling of walking out of a class thinking, “Damn, that was a great class.” Your cues landed. Athletes moved better. You saw breakthroughs happen in real time. We also know the opposite feeling—slow responses, choppy explanations, missed opportunities to coach, and that lingering thought of “that wasn’t my best work.”

The goal of this blog is simple: to give you a repeatable class prep system that leads to more great classes and fewer of the frustrating ones.

My Class Prep System

Here’s the process I use before every class:

1. Read the programming (twice)
2. Read the notes
3. Watch the daily video
4. Plan your timeline, class flow, and pain points
5. Identify key cues and coaching focuses
6. Do a final run-through

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Read The Programming—Then Read It Again

The first read is about orientation. What are we doing today? What does the class look like at a high level?

The second read is about execution. This is where I start asking questions:

• How does this session fit into the larger program?
• What is it building on from previous days or weeks?
• Where might my gym setup, class size, or equipment availability create friction?
• How should I approach the movement progression for this group?

This second pass is where preparation actually begins. Asking these questions ahead of time lets you walk into class with solutions rather than scrambling mid-session.

Step 2: Read The Notes

If you follow the HWPO AFFILIATE program, you already know the notes are gold.

To coach effectively, you need to understand the workout's stimulus. That understanding allows you to:

• Make better scaling decisions
• Answer athlete questions with confidence
• Coach toward the intent instead of just the movements

The notes also provide cues, tips, and context that help you start shaping your class plan. Once I’ve read them, I have a much clearer picture of what the day should feel like for my members.

Step 3: Watch The Daily Video

The daily video reinforces why the workout is programmed the way it is. Michele also provides valuable cues and group management insights that are easy to apply on the floor.

There’s an added benefit here: learning retention. When you read and then listen, you’re far more likely to remember and apply what you’ve learned.

By this point—programming read, notes reviewed, video watched—you should have a solid grasp on the goals of the day and where your coaching attention should go. Now it’s time to get specific.

Step 4: Plan Your Timeline, Class Flow, And Pain Points

Every gym is different, and only you truly know how your classes tend to flow.

Take a few minutes to map out:

• How long each segment will realistically take
• Equipment layout and transitions
• Where athletes might get confused or bottlenecked
• When breaks (or bathroom runs) make sense

I still like writing my timeline out on paper and marking each section of the class. It helps me see where I have space to coach, where I need to stay tight on time, and how flexible I can be with warm-ups, ramp-ups, and transitions.

Starting and ending on time should always be a priority. This step alone can eliminate a huge source of stress—for you and your members.

Step 5: Know Your Key Cues And Coaching Focuses

You should understand why each drill and exercise exists and how it helps your athletes.

If you don’t understand it, you won’t coach it confidently—and your members won’t get the full benefit. Seek to understand every piece of the session, and don’t be afraid to make small adjustments if something doesn’t fit your coaching style.

Your members aren’t there for the programming—they’re there for you.

Go into class with a handful of cues you know you’re looking to give. Planning them ahead of time means your eyes are ready to spot the fault, and you’ll respond faster and more decisively when it shows up.

Step 6: Final Run-Through

The last step is a full mental walk-through of the class.

I run through everything: board brief, timeline, transitions, drills, cues, and floor layout. This is my final opportunity to catch issues and make adjustments before I walk through the gym doors.

The more you’ve planned before class starts, the calmer and more confident you’ll feel once it does.

Final Thoughts

This process might sound like a lot, but it only takes about 20–30 minutes, depending on the day. I do it the morning of, even when I’m coaching the 5:30 AM, and it’s always worth it.

If you commit to this for just one week, you’ll notice the difference immediately: smoother classes, better coaching moments, more confidence, and more enjoyment on the floor.

No matter how experienced you are, preparation is a skill you can always improve. Coaching is simply more fun when you show up ready. Give this system a try, make it your own, and see how much better your classes can be.