Marit Jänes: from dance to coaching
Marit Jänes is a coach whose path began on the dance floor, not in front of the gym mirror. Marit’s story shows how a childhood passion, consistent learning and the courage to change direction can lead from instructing group training to running Les Mills Estonia.
Marit Jänes and the beginnings of dance
Dance held an important place in Marit Jänes’s life from a very early age. Marit started with competitive dance and kept at it for 6 years. The pull of Latin American dances was especially strong. It wasn’t just another workout on the schedule but something that stayed in the heart even after competitive dancing had to come to an end.
Along the way, Marit also tried other sports. Tennis and kickboxing offered some variety, but it was hard to stay away from dance-based movement for long. Many people know this feeling: you find a sport that suits your body and your character at the same time. At some point you realize it isn’t just a hobby, it’s your way of moving.
That is how Marit ended up in the aerobics studio, at a good 14 years old. What Marit liked most about aerobics was the independence. A workout didn’t fall through just because there was no partner. You could choose the class, the style and the tempo. Some days a more energetic session suited, other days something more dance-like or technical.
Why did Marit Jänes choose coaching?
Aerobics gave freedom. That freedom slowly started to nurture the idea that one day Marit could lead classes too. When a person ends up in the right environment, the wish to learn more appears. Not just to join in, but to understand why a class works, how music supports movement and how an instructor carries the room along with their energy.
Marit attended an FAF coaching course. A year later Marit held an aerobics instructor license and could start leading group training. Until August this year, Marit was part of the Tartu Arctic Sport Club team. That was an important stage, because leading real classes teaches a coach what no course alone can give: how people react, when they get tired and when they need a little extra push.
Today Marit has moved to Tallinn. The new city brought new opportunities and fresh winds. When Marit started leading Les Mills training 3 years ago, specifically Bodyjam, new ideas soon began to grow out of it. The Les Mills concept made a strong impression. After the second program, Bodypump, it was clear this wouldn’t remain merely about teaching classes.
The third program was Bodycombat. From there the thinking moved further. Honestly, this is quite typical of coaches who aren’t satisfied with simply leading a ready-made routine. They want to understand the system, learn its background and pass something on too.
Les Mills, travel and the coach’s perspective
Travel is Marit’s second great passion. Through it, Marit also made it to New Zealand, the home of Les Mills. One of the most vivid examples of the training culture there was a Wednesday evening: it’s six o’clock, a Bodyjam class and 220 participants in the room. It was a serious experience. On top of that, the class was led by Gandalf Archer, whose name drew in even more people.
So what can you take away from such an experience? First, that group training can be much more than simply calories burned. A good class creates a feeling of being part of something bigger. Second, it shows how important the coach’s presence is. The same routine can remain an ordinary workout in one instructor’s hands and become an event in another’s.
Today, besides leading training sessions, Marit also manages Les Mills Estonia. Marit’s classes include Les Mills programs, Bkick, Bosu, AfroDance and other training. From an Estonian perspective, it’s also important that the administration is now in Estonian, faster and simpler. For coaches and clubs, that means less confusion and clearer support.
What does Marit Jänes teach as a coach?
Marit’s story isn’t only about workouts. It’s about learning too. Marit has graduated from the University of Tartu Faculty of Economics and is continuing with a master’s degree in communication management at the University of Tartu. Alongside coaching, this may seem like a heavy workload, but Marit’s own thinking is simple: you can never have too much of a good thing.
The list of further training courses stretches from Estonia to Ibiza. Marit also holds Level III of the Estonian Olympic Committee’s occupational qualification as an aerobics instructor. This background gives a coach a broader view. Training isn’t just demonstrating exercises. It involves communication, responsibility, reading the group and the ability to make something complicated simple for a person.
Currently: head coach at Kalev SPA, email: marit.janes@kalevspa.ee
Marit shares three sayings that help:
- Love what you do, or just don’t do it!
- Everything that happens in life happens for a reason.
- If you really want something, you’ll get it; if you didn’t get it, then evidently you didn’t want it that much.
A simple truth: lines like these only work when the person lives by them. You can see that thread in Marit’s story. Marit started with dance, moved into aerobics, trained as a coach, took on new programs and ended up in management.
FAQ
Where did Marit Jänes begin the path to becoming a coach?
It began with competitive dance, which lasted 6 years. Later the path led to the aerobics studio and from there toward leading group training sessions.
Which workouts does Marit Jänes lead?
Marit’s background includes Les Mills programs, among them Bodyjam, Bodypump and Bodycombat. Bkick, Bosu and AfroDance workouts are also mentioned.
Why does Les Mills Estonia matter in this story?
Marit is involved in running Les Mills Estonia. For coaches and clubs, that means the paperwork and communication are handled in Estonian, and things get done faster and more easily.
Wishing you a great new season,
Source: Turg.Fitness.ee
Come and train! ArtGym
