A Lifetime of Lessons: “Zoom? What’s Zoom?” How This Seasoned Instructor is Still Learning New Tricks

From familiar routines to new realities

If you had told me in 2019 that I’d be teaching fitness classes over Zoom, I probably would have laughed. Then asked, ‘What’s Zoom?’ Having been in the fitness industry for five decades, I thought I had pretty much seen it all. And I was comfortable in my routines - seeing the same smiling faces in class each week, sharing a coffee afterwards, and handling complaints about the fans. 

Then, almost overnight, everything changed.

When lockdowns started, I’ll admit I felt a bit lost. I missed the energy of a room full of people. I missed the little chats from participants before class as they told me what body part wasn’t working that day or where they were flying to the following week. But I also knew how important it was for my participants to keep moving and stay connected, especially during such a challenging time of extended lockdowns in Melbourne.

That’s when Zoom entered my life.

At first, it felt a little strange and awkward. I worried about clicking the wrong icon or losing my internet connection or not realising the microphone was muted. But slowly, with patience and persistence (and a little help from family!) I figured it out. (Full disclosure, I have made all those mistakes, but we all survived, and now I know how to solve those problems!)

A shared journey of learning

What surprised me most was how many other instructors around my age were on the same journey. I’ve had so many chats with colleagues in their seventies who felt just as nervous as I did about teaching online. Some had never even used a computer for more than email! But what stood out to me was how determined everyone was to keep reaching their participants. We were all willing to learn, even if it meant stepping far outside our comfort zones.

This willingness to try something new, no matter our age, is something I find truly inspiring. It’s a reminder that learning never really stops, and sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves and our participants is to take that first step into the unknown.

The heart of our work remains the same

Through all these changes, one thing has stayed the same: the love I have for this work. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone grow stronger, more confident, or just happier because of what we do together in class, virtually or face-to-face. The relationships I’ve built over the years, the stories I’ve heard, and the laughter we’ve shared mean the world to me. I know many instructors feel the same way. It’s not just about exercise - it’s about caring for people and making a difference in their lives.

Turning the page to a new chapter

That’s why, even after all these years, I’m still excited to learn and try new things. Next month, my daughter and business partner, Trudi Edmeades, and I are hosting our very first virtual conference for older adult fitness instructors. It’s something I never thought I’d be doing, but after seeing how much we can support and inspire each other online, and seeing how many fitness instructors around the world are looking for connection and encouragement, it feels like the right next step.

We’ll be talking about everything from new class ideas, pelvic floor health, protecting our vocal chords, and understanding how important exercise can be for participants facing battles with cancer. I’m also looking forward to my first chair yoga class! More than anything, though, I can’t wait for the chance to connect and share with other older adult fitness instructors, as we remind ourselves why we love what we do.

Join us on this journey

If you’re a fitness instructor who loves their job and cares about helping older adults stay active, I hope you’ll join us. Whether you’re a tech whiz or just figuring things out like I am, there’s a place for you. Let’s keep learning, growing, and investing in the people around us - because if I can go from asking “What’s Zoom?” to now saying to you, “Come join our conference live on Zoom!”, then there’s no limit to what we can each achieve.

Where are you introducing something new in your teaching? I’d love to hear your story in the comments. And if you’re interested in learning more fresh ideas and connecting with fellow instructors, I invite you to join us at the upcoming Thrive Virtual Conference in July. If you’re unsure how to use Zoom, I can help!

Carol Edmeades is the co-founder and Exercise Educator at Third Age Fitness. With over four decades of experience, she is passionate about helping people stay active and healthy as they age. Carol loves sharing everything she’s learned with other instructors to inspire and support them in delivering engaging, effective fitness programs for older adults.