Justin’s journey into fitness began as a very personal one. At 42, having lost more than nine stone through sheer determination and the help of Slimming World, he gained enough confidence to step back into a gym environment.
But sticking to what he knew – the treadmill and cross trainer – he soon became bored, uninspired and ready to cancel his membership. During a chance conversation, a Les Mills instructor invited Justin to try her BodyPump and BodyCombat classes. Little did he know it would change the course of his entire life.
He says:
“I was nervous walking into that first class, but something clicked. I was hooked. Not just by the energy of the workout, but by the sense of community, the motivation in the room, and the confidence of the instructor – she didn’t just teach, she inspired. That moment changed the direction of my journey.”
Within four months of starting classes Justin signed up to qualify as a BodyPump instructor himself, and now, almost eight years later, has completed training in seven additional Les Mills programmes.
“Every class I teach is a reflection of my journey. My greatest passion is creating a space where others can feel the same empowerment I did, where fitness stops being a chore and becomes something truly transformative. Becoming a Les Mills instructor didn’t just change my body, it changed my life. Through my classes, I strive to help others realise the same is possible for them.”
Alongside a full time role at Bannatyne for five years, Justin worked as a freelance instructor teaching Les Mill’s BodyPump, BodyCombat, Grit, BodyStep, BodyBalance, RPM, Sprint and Strength Development at multiple clubs, including Everybody Health and Leisure clubs in Cheshire East, where he was introduced to a game-changing team management app, CoverMe Fitness.
Like many freelance instructors, Justin found arranging class cover frustrating and time-consuming. Most communication happened in group chats, which were easy to lose track of, leading to confusion and inefficiency, and managing cover, logging sessions and keeping track for invoicing all added to his administrative burden.
He explains:
“One of the biggest challenges for freelance instructors is gaining access to consistent opportunities to earn more income. Previously, I would have to post in group chats or contact the different fitness managers or class coordinators directly to secure additional work or find cover – a process that was often unreliable and inequitable. Some instructors weren’t included in chats, while others hesitated to volunteer due to group dynamics, meaning some classes had to be cancelled or, where available, substituted for virtual Les Mills classes. At the same time, a few instructors were perceived as taking every opportunity, leaving colleagues frustrated and creating tension within teams.
“CoverMe addresses these issues by offering a structured, impartial system for managing cover. By keeping assignments anonymous, it removes the potential for competition, resentment or exclusion. Instructors gain fair access to opportunities, managers avoid the administrative burden and members benefit from reliable class continuity.
“CoverMe also provides access to gyms that might not frequently advertise or offer permanent positions. This gives freelancer instructors a chance to showcase their skills, build relationships with new venues and potentially secure more permanent roles in the future. It’s a valuable tool for increasing both visibility and opportunity in a competitive industry.”
Justin has since moved to a Sales Executive role with equipment supplier A50 Fitness, whilst still continuing with his freelance classes, making the CoverMe app more valuable to him than ever.
He says:
“I typically start my day by checking the app for any available cover opportunities, monitoring it periodically to see if new classes have been posted that I can cover. Before CoverMe, I often missed calls or accidentally overlooked messages in busy group chats. On occasion I’ve even forgotten to record classes in my diary too, which sometimes led to double bookings.
“CoverMe helps me to manage my schedule more effectively. I can see what’s available in real time, making the most of my time and boosting my income by around 5 – 10%. It’s also significantly reduced my admin, from around one to two hours a month on invoices alone to just 20 minutes, as well as removing the frustrating back-and-forth communication, which in turn has lowered my stress levels.
“The QR code for check-in is so quick and efficient, minimising wait times at reception, and the calendar integration, which automatically stores my scheduled classes, means it’s easy to keep track of upcoming bookings and refer back to past sessions. No more double booking! Another key benefit is that it keeps all your important documentation, such as certificates, insurance and qualifications, in one central place.”
Justin says being a freelance instructor is an exciting but challenging career path, with the admin often being the toughest part. He believes tools like CoverMe make the job more sustainable by cutting through the clutter and giving instructors the freedom to focus on teaching.
“CoverMe has the potential to play a significant role in shaping the future of freelance instructing,” he explains. “It not only benefits instructors by streamlining administrative tasks and providing greater access to opportunities, it also supports clubs by enabling fitness managers and class coordinators to manage cover more efficiently at their end, centralising communication and automating key processes.”
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