An interview with Jay Banks the winner of The Gold Standard “Group Fitness instructor of the year”

Our very own Jay Banks is the winner of The Gold Standard “Group Fitness instructor of the year” award presented by Optimum Nutrition!

Read our exclusive interview with the talented Fitness Pro from Cambridge; talking community fitness, plans for the future as well as some intriguing questions on the future of the Fitness Industry.

How did you get into fitness?
I was always into dance, kickboxing and sports from school and taught dance class from the age of 15.
After an accident back in 2007 was on a dance show tour I had to take a break and rethink what I was going to do. It was then I meet my wife (Kelly Reed Banks) and it was her that suggested I looked at fitness as the next stage in my career. And I haven’t looked back.

What is the award?
The Gold Standard “Group Fitness instructor of the year” award presented by Optimum Nutrition

What did you have to do to gain the award?
I had to complete a 4 page application on with my certification and what I teach and where, along with links to all my social media which has clips of my teach and classes on
It was then all looked at and judged

What will you do with the prize money?
I’m looking at what course to do next but I’ve done a lot of the training so I’ll see what takes my fancy.

Where do you see Burwell fitness headed in the next 2-5 years?
Burwell fitness is going from strength to strength so maybe a studio? But right now everything in working as is so I think “why bother with the stressful of having a venue, with all the added costs?” My PT business, club classes boot camp and other work for Beachbody Uk & presenting is also going well so if I stay where I am for a few years I will still be happy but the aim is always to keep pushing forward and stay top of my game.

Where do you feel community fitness classes are headed in the next few years with all the competition from big box gyms?
Community fitness doesn’t have to worry as long as you are willing to put the effort in. Big chains come and go. They are bringing in Virtual Training which is great but you will never get that in community so the members that don’t like VT will talk with their feet and come looking for the community classes so make sure you are up with all the social channels and changes.

Are you developing your online offering?
Yep I have my online training gym and Nutrition plans, obviously the kick start business with Kelly and I’m a Beachbody coach which is an online format of training.

Tell us about your future plans in the fitness industry?
I want to continue my presenting and am buzzing to be back at IFS 2018 with serval of my own classes and I will also be there as part of the Beachbody uk team.
I’m loving working with Beachbody right now and as always I have serval things in mind to bring to the party soon

Tips for anyone wanting to get into the fitness industry?
Don’t think this is an easy industry and the fact the instructor turning up and delivering a session is all they do.
That is the icing on the cake. It doesn’t matter if it’s PT or Group classes it takes long hours to build a successful business and reputation.
You sacrifice a lot, you miss birthdays, friends nights out family occasions and I know a lot my close friends in industry have done the same to get to where they are today and I respect them so much but don’t think people see the hard work, graft and hours that goes into being a good and successful Fitness Professional

Top Fitness Business tips for anyone in the industry?

Haha I’m still learning every day so every day is a school day for me still but my top bit of advice is always
“Be carful who you follow, always stay professional, keep your integrity and respect other instructors and never stop learning from doing other courses, attending live fitness events, going to other instructors classes.

A big thank you and well done to Jay Banks.

Find out more about Jay Banks PT click here

Say Hi to Jay on Facebook click here

Visit Burwell Fitness on Facebook click here