grooving to the same tunes? learning, training and productive systems in the aerobics studio alan...
TRANSCRIPT
Grooving to the Same Tunes?Learning, Training and Productive Systems
in the Aerobics Studio
Alan Felstead
http://learningaswork.cf.ac.uk
Structure of Talk
1. Summary of the Argument2. Health and Fitness Sector3. Methods4. Results
The ‘Good’ Face of ‘Training’
• Policy assumption: training & skills are the key levers to economic success• Training teaches new skills & a thirst for learning• Training enhances labour mobility & pay• Training raises business performance
The Evidence Base
• The ‘good’ face is based on survey evidence• What is learnt, by whom & why difficult to capture• Events recorded largely context-free (some attempts but inevitably limited)• Dynamic role of training difficult to capture in survey work
Argument & Substantive Finding
• A fuller understanding of the role & function of training & change over time requires a case study approach• Training can stifle and prevent learning• Sources of knowledge may be off-limits & out of reach (with script writers upstream in the productive system & away from the point of delivery)
2100
2200
2300
2400
2500
2600
2700
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Num
ber o
f Clu
bs
Treadmills
Bikes EllipticalCross Trainers
Rowers
Cardiovascular (CV)
Single Resistance Machines
Bicep extensions Seated leg curls
Free Weights
Bicep/tricep extensionsBench press DumbbellsBarbells
Methods
• Stakeholder interviews (3)• Operator-level interviews (11)• Club-level management interviews (9)• Observation of conventions – 2 day event• Participant observation in 2 day event for ETM instructors• Follow-up interviews & observations with fellow trainees• 15 ETM interviews – most at evenings & weekends
Attendance gives 4CPD points
Two Productive Systems
1.Freestyle (DIY). Began with Step in late 1980s with platforms being manufactured & sold for studio use, but little centralised instruction2. Pre-choreography. Launched in NZ in 1990, entered UK in 1997 with 7 programmes, now in a fifth of UK venues – BTS is the dominant user of this system of delivery
BodyAttack(floor
aerobics)
BodyBalance(mind & bodyconditioning)
BodyCombat(boxing &
karate)
BodyJam(dance)
BodyPump(resistancetraining)
RPM(indoor cycling)
BodyStep(step
aerobics)
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
14.00
16.00
BodyStep BodyPump BodyAttack BodyJam BodyBalance RPM BodyCombat
Num
ber
of O
pera
tion
al Y
ears
June 1990
December 1991
March 1993
March 1997
March 1998
September 1998June 1999
1224
951
761
348
288215 205
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
BodyPump BodyCombat BodyBalance BodyAttack RPM BodyJam BodyStep
Num
ber
of V
enue
s in
Eng
land
, 200
6
Features of BTS• Pre-packed product delivered by instructors • Clubs licensed for 12 months to put BTS on timetable – fee paid• Instructors need club-affiliation to access initial training + NVQ 2• Initial training (2-3 days) + assessment• CPD (attendance at 3 out of 4 QWs when new release issued)• Elements of ‘licence to practise’ but not allowed to freely roam
Contrasting Labour Process Regimes
1.Freestyle (instructor centre stage): - analysing & selecting music - choreographing the moves - presenting their image
2. Pre-choreography (instructor mimics another): - sounds selected & remixed - choreographers fit movement to music - image makers promote clothes selection & use of dialogue
Music segments
Music phrasing – 32 count blocks
Shorthand for moves Instructor dialogue
Beats per minuteabsent
Trainees are Drilled to Conform
• Everything pre-packaged & easy• Specialised knowledge & decision-rules in-built into artefacts (DVDs, notes, QWs)• Repetitive viewing of DVD• Compulsory attendance at QWs• Mimicking of Master Trainers encouraged – clothing, language & even bodies!
Conclusion• Music mapping, choreography & inventiveness are not ‘must have’ skills in a pre-choreographed world• Standardization requires follow the scripts written by others!• This formulaic solution cheapens labour & makes high labour turnover & absenteeism easier to cope with• Contrary to popular belief training can deaden rather than awaken individual creativity
