This Is What A Great Community Looks Like — SH1FT Fitness
The 2026 Instructor Report

This is what a great
community looks like.

We went out and asked hundreds of instructors what actually matters to them — what makes teaching feel worth it, and what makes it harder than it needs to be. What came back was honest, energising, and a little humbling. Here's what we heard.

SH1FT community
85%
of instructors are ready to try something new. The appetite is there. The right opportunity hasn't been.
46%
teach 6+ classes a week. This is a profession people are deeply committed to — it deserves to be treated like one.
3 in 4
of instructors don't feel fairly paid for the work they put in. That's not a stat we're okay with.
What The Data Shows

Instructors want to innovate with new classes.
But cost and time are huge barriers.

From our survey of hundreds of active instructors — across every format, every background, every kind of gym.

Open to teaching something new Active instructors across all format backgrounds 85% Happy to try something new before anyone else does They don't need social proof — the appetite is there right now 58% Happy with what they currently teach — not open to change The vast majority are actively looking for something different 11% Say lower cost or risk of entry is the #1 motivator to try something new By far the biggest single factor — ahead of seeing classes in gyms, peer recommendations, or guidance 65% Said their gym or club wouldn't support adding something new Despite strong appetite — operators are the gatekeepers 21%
The Opportunity
64%
of instructors didn't know they could cross-certify into SH1FT for free.

SkillSync is our cross-certification programme — it lets experienced instructors qualify into SH1FT formats using the certifications they already hold, completely free. If you've trained in Les Mills, Zumba, or most other major formats, you're already most of the way there.

What This Means

Every single instructor we surveyed holds at least one relevant certification. Which means right now, today, they could be teaching SH1FT formats — for free. The barrier isn't qualification. It's just awareness.

Find out if you qualify →
What Happens When The Barriers Are Removed

When the barriers come down, this is what happens.

9 in 10
SH1FT instructors say low prep time is one of the main reasons they love teaching with us. Less time on logistics. More time on the class.
$0
to cross-certify into SH1FT through SkillSync if you already hold a certification. We removed the cost barrier. On purpose.
SH1FT instructor
SH1FT community
SH1FT training
What We Believe at SH1FT

Our ethos — from day one

We empower instructors.
Full stop.

We don't make content for people working out at home. We don't have a consumer app. We don't chase followers. Every single thing we build is for the person standing in front of a class.

When an instructor is genuinely supported — with programming they trust, resources that actually help, and tools that don't get in the way — everything flows from there. Better classes. Members who keep coming back. A community that grows around them.

Not fame. Not reach. Not virality. Better instructors. Better classes. Better outcomes for real people in real gyms. That's the whole point.

Our Instructor-Focused Resources

Everything you need.
Nothing you don't.

Your time is precious — we get that. Everything here is designed to get you in front of your class feeling prepared and confident, without spending your evening on it. Four resources. Every release. All built around how you actually teach.

Masterclass

Masterclass

A full length workout showing how our master trainers teach this format to a class. Technique, motivation, and the coaching cues that make the difference.

Education Video

Education Video

The 'why' behind the workout. Deep dive into the science, the thoughtful programming and the key things you need to know. Fast, informative and on the pulse.

Overview Video

Overview Video

Your fastest path from new release to class-ready. In less than five minutes, you'll get a run through of every move. Watch it once, know your class. No memorising. No stress.

In-Class App Timer

In-Class App Timer

Run your class entirely from your phone. Every cue, every interval, every transition — so your attention stays on your members, not your notes.

Will Brereton, Founder SH1FT Fitness
Instructor First. Always.

"We started SH1FT to create a platform that helps instructors help more people. Pay has been stagnant for years — we decided to actually do something about it. We've created a subscription built to make it simple to teach more classes, anywhere. We're happy to let others chase the consumer whilst we're laser-focused on empowering the instructors who reach them every week."

Will Brereton · Founder, SH1FT Fitness
What We're Building Next

Always improving.
Always for you.

Coming Soon

Hybrid Training
for Instructors

01

Hyrox is everywhere right now — and your members know it. We want every SH1FT instructor to be able to ride that wave. So for the first time, we're releasing C1RCUIT directly to individual instructors. No gym licence. No gatekeepers. Just you, your class, and a format built for the moment we're all living through.

In Progress

Instructor-Focused
Resources

02

Every release now comes with a full suite of resources built entirely around you: a masterclass, an education piece, an overview video, and in-app cues. Not for the at-home market. Not for social media. For the person teaching the class. Every single element is designed to help you show up prepared, confident, and ready to deliver.

Always On

SkillSync &
PRO Subscription

03

Your existing qualifications already get you through the door — for free, via SkillSync. And once you're in, everything is included. Every format, every release, every resource, one low monthly subscription. No per-format fees. No licensing walls. No nonsense.

Join The Community

Ready to teach with SH1FT?

More teaching. Less prep. A community of instructors who actually love what they do.

Get started →