In 2023, Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre (GRAC) came together with Latrobe Leisure (both facilities are owned by Latrobe City Council) to enable 13 individuals to undertake the Initial Module Training (IMT) for LES MILLS TONE®. What was special about this training was that the centres were able to have the Trainer deliver the IMT onsite, locally.
Renee Jones is certified in five Les Mills programs and is a member of the Les Mills Asia Pacific Trainer and Presenter team. Renee helped coordinate the onsite IMT as part of her role as the Leisure Fitness and Wellness Team Leader at Latrobe Leisure. She also participated in the training.
The Experience
“We’re located in Traralgon, two hours east of Melbourne (Australia), so the difference in having the Trainer come to us versus us having to send all our team to Melbourne for the weekend, was amazing,” explains Renee. “Initially, we went to our teams and got the numbers needed for a Trainer to come to us. We’ve never had that happen before, so it was great when Trainer Shelley Townsend came and delivered Days 1 and 2, and Rhett Watts came and delivered Day 3, locally. To be able to go home at the end of Days 1 and 2 made such a difference; everyone who has done IMTs before and had to travel, really felt the difference. From a cost perspective for the business, it was also wonderful to be able to have the Trainers come to us, as it meant we didn’t have to put everyone up in accommodation on the Friday and Saturday nights.”
Katelyn Rowe is a circuit instructor, and this was her first Les Mills Initial Module Training. She says, “Members will love LES MILLS TONE because it’s an all-in-one, one-stop shop workout, which delivers a lot of bang for your buck. In 45 minutes, you get a cardio, strength, core, and glutes workout, so it will appeal to a lot of people once they understand what it’s all about.”
LES MILLS TONE will attract a really cool crowd of people especially because of the music.
Of her IMT experience, Katelyn Rowe says, “I’ve absolutely loved this training. It’s certainly been a challenge, but I’ve really enjoyed the level of challenge and the team atmosphere with staff from both GRAC and Latrobe Leisure attending together. I also really enjoyed this format and it’s been amazing to have the training offered locally. Discovering what type of Les Mills Instructor I am and how I learn best has been really enlightening. The most challenging part of training was being new to Les Mills, so working out the whole process has been the hardest part, but it’s also been such great fun.”
“I surprised myself at being able to learn all the tracks,” adds Morgen Karleusa, whose first Les Mills training experience was this IMT. Morgan enjoys LES MILLS TONE® due to its athleticism. “It lets you move your body in ways you don’t get to in other programs – the height of the jump, and the ability to feel fit; you even get fitter just in the 8 weeks of training! I really love it and enjoy the challenge. The variety/options with this program means you can accommodate everyone – it’s not just for athletic or fit people; everyone can join in and get a workout.”
Amanda Burns, who is trained in two Les Mills programs already says the LES MILLS TONE IMT enabled her to discover “how much fun it is to just let your personality out when teaching!”
For Brooke Fleming – a Zumba, Pilates and ‘Mums and Bubs’ instructor – this was her first Les Mills training experience. “I started using LES MILLS+ after having my daughter Ivy, because getting to the gym wasn’t achievable at that point. I saw LES MILLS TONE and so started doing it at home while Ivy slept.”
“I think I felt a bit of imposter syndrome,” the 26-year-old admits. “I’ve done Les Mills workouts at gyms, and I’ve been participating at Latrobe Leisure since I was 17. And the Instructors are always amazing!”
She adds, “The training has been really good. Definitely great that it’s been held so close to home. I learned so much from Days 1 and 2 – it’s nice being able to consolidate it all at Day 3. Everyone is very supportive of each other. I run classes at GRAC, and so I’ve met other Instructors from Latrobe Leisure and we’ve all gotten along really well. I know that what I’ve learned at this IMT will help me be better Instructor in my other classes too.”
Brooke adds, “LES MILLS TONE is great program to challenge your fitness or find your fitness again. It’s super inclusive because members can come in at entry level or a really high athletic level; and you can see that in the program Presenters (e.g., Villi is super athletic, while KB shows lower intensity options).”
Rhett Watts is the LES MILLS TONE Trainer who delivered the Day 3 in Traralgon. Rhett, who has earned the nickname among his fellow Trainers as ‘The King of LES MILLS TONE’, says that LES MILLS TONE is about the fun and bringing yourself into your teaching. During Day 3, he offered many helpful teaching tips such as, “sometimes you can stop in TONE, especially in some of those big cardio tracks. You can also split the room, and there is an option to come off the stage – but only once your class knows all the moves – never the first time you teach it; and always get back up onto the stage.”
Tess Poole currently teaches BODYPUMP® and BODYBALANCE® and fills in for BODYATTACK® and BODYCOMBAT® when needed. “I also teach yoga, aqua and active adults,” explains Tess, who is trained in six Les Mills programs.
Tess adds, “Members will like LES MILLS TONE because it’s kind of like a combination of all the different programs put together. With lots of options/choices available to cater to all fitness levels, GRAC members will find this really appealing.”
There’s not a lot of core-based offering except Pilates on our timetable, so this is a great addition.
Tess says, “I’m going to like teaching LES MILLS TONE because I love the versatility of it and love that there’s a bit of everything in there. I’m across so many programs and this marries them all together. It’s challenging to teach more than two programs a week, so this lets me teach them all in one class!”
Renee agrees that LES MILLS TONE is an all-round program. “It’s a cross-training / hybrid program with shorter tracks, and which can include intervals, cardio, strength and core – all in one track!”
For Alysha Duncan, LES MILLS TONE was her fourth IMT. “I love that this program shows members where their weaknesses are, so they can then work to strengthen them if they want to. I learned I have a weak arse!” she laughs.
Kim Gordon is trained in two Les Mills programs yet this third IMT enabled her to discover that “I actually like doing balance and core workouts when they are more functional movements. I never have before!”
“As a participant, members need to switch on their mind at the start of the class because LES MILLS TONE is a mind challenge,” explains Rhett. He adds, “LES MILLS TONE also makes you a better Instructor across all other programs.”
Advice for Future Instructors
Rhett says, “As the Instructor, the fun has to shine through above everything else.” So, what other advice do these Trainees have for future Les Mills Instructors?
Tess’ advice to people who are thinking about becoming an Instructor is to “give yourself time to really learn the program and immerse yourself in it. Les Mills is really supportive so reach out if you find that something is challenging you. I find the Les Mills structure of the program amazing. Get in and try and do your best and learn along the way.
Renee says, “LES MILLS TONE training challenges you; it makes you think about what you can do differently when teaching other programs – this is my 10th Les Mills program. I started teaching 25 years ago.”
“If you’re thinking about becoming an Instructor – just do it! It’s amazing. You learn so much and as an individual, you just grow! Even over these 8 weeks, other instructors have seen and told me how much I’ve grown. Take the jump and just do it. What I’ve learned in this training will 100% help me teach my other classes better too,” says Morgan.
To explore becoming a LES MILLS TONE Instructor click here.
To find a LES MILLS TONE class nearby click here.
Click here to read about the largest LES MILLS TONE class in Australia.
