Why I Walked Away from Pre-Choreographed Fitness Classes

And What I’ve Learned Since

“Your hand doesn’t grow just because you write more. It adapts.”

This is a phrase I’ve found myself saying a lot lately — not just in coaching sessions, but when reflecting on the bigger picture of what truly drives progress in fitness. It’s simple, it’s true, and it’s the foundation of why I made a major shift in how I approach group training.

Let me start by saying this: I have respect for the work that’s gone into developing popular pre-choreographed formats. In fact, they were a formative part of my journey early on. Classes like these absolutely have a place in the industry. They’re fun, high-energy, and incredibly helpful for newer instructors finding their voice.

But over time, I began to notice something — in both myself and my clients.

Despite the sweat, the music, and the consistent attendance, progress started to plateau. People loved the routine, but they weren’t growing. Strength gains stalled. Body composition changes slowed. And as a coach, I felt boxed in. Tied to a beat count and choreography that couldn’t flex for who was in the room that day.

Clients would show up week after week with the same dumbbells, performing the same movement patterns, at the same tempo. There was no space for progression, no opportunity to scale up or down based on individual needs. And when you’re always moving on the beat, there’s barely time to cue form — let alone coach someone through real strength development.

This isn’t a knock on pre-choreographed formats — they do serve a purpose. But like any training model, they have limitations. And for the clients I serve — real people with aging joints, past injuries, busy lives, and bold goals — those limitations eventually became roadblocks.

That’s why I chose to step away.

I needed freedom. Freedom to coach. To adapt workouts in real-time. To teach people how to lift well and lift with intention. To focus on progress, not just participation.

Because here’s the thing: our bodies are meant to adapt. That’s the whole point of training. But if we never change the stimulus — if we never go heavier, move slower, explore new planes of movement — our bodies just get better at doing the same thing. Not stronger. Not leaner. Just… familiar.

And while familiarity can feel good, it doesn’t drive change.

So, I started writing my own programs again. I began structuring workouts to allow for true progression. I focused on coaching in the moment, not just cueing a sequence. And I saw it — the shift in my clients. Better form. More confidence. Real results.

This isn’t about bashing what came before. It’s about evolving — and about making space in the industry for a variety of perspectives. There’s room for rhythm-based workouts and rhythm-breaking strength training. But it’s time we stop pretending they deliver the same outcomes.

Because they don’t.

And if you’re someone who’s been showing up, sweating, and still wondering why nothing’s changing — maybe it’s time to stop doing more, and start doing better.

I’m not here to entertain. I’m here to help people grow. And that requires coaching that adapts — just like the human body does.

Ready to train in a way that finally fits your goals, your body, and your life?

Explore small group strength training or personal coaching near Memphis, MI — and let’s build progress that lasts.

Whether you’re just starting or getting back to it, there’s a spot for you.