7 Things That Will Stop You From Ever Becoming a "Cult Instructor"

There’s a very clear difference between instructors who are “good”… and the ones who build cult-like followings.

It’s not just about the workout. It’s not even about being the most technical or the most creative. It’s about how people feel in your class and whether they trust you enough to keep coming back.

And from what I’ve seen over the years, there are a few things that will quietly stop you from ever getting there.

Coming in with a plan is non-negotiable.

I see this a lot: an instructor asking the class what they want to do, or checking in constantly to see what people are “feeling.” It can come across as collaborative, but in reality, it signals the opposite. It makes it feel like you’re figuring it out in real time.

People aren’t coming to class to make decisions. They’re coming to be led. The best instructors walk in with a clear plan and execute it confidently. That’s what builds trust from the second the class starts. Will I never go back to an instructor who says “what would you like to work on today?” Of course not! But, I can’t imagine top instructors like Megan Roup, Akin Akman, Amanda Kloots, etc asking this question. They show up with a plan and it signals confidence and competence.

Music isn’t just something playing in the background… it is a big part of the experience.

Of course a good playlist matters, but what really separates instructors is how they use it. The best ones create repetition. Certain songs are tied to certain sequences. There are moments where the beat drops and the room already knows what’s coming.

That’s when something shifts. Your regulars feel in on it. They anticipate it. They get excited before it even happens. That’s how community is built: not from constantly changing things, but from creating familiarity people can connect to.

I’m just going to say it.