[Instructors] Please read/watch: FOCUS 20

[Mabel Lau]

Hi Team,

Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful summer weather. 

As we continue to up level the class intensity across all CORE40 studios in both San Francisco and Amsterdam, here are a few reminders on how to effectively apply the Focus 20. 

I uploaded the Focus 20 summary video Dean shot a few weeks ago onto Netgym, attaching here again for your reference: 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n8u68te4r3yv0an2tgfqi/Focus20-Summary-Final.mp4?rlkey=jtfd9et2i8b5n6r0b7qyfxu47&st=zbina8bg&dl=0

The Purpose of Focus 20

The final 20 seconds of an exercise should be a moment where the entire class is united around one goal: giving their Level 10 effort and finishing the movement as strongly as possible. This should be one of the most memorable moments of each exercise.

Focus 20 is NOT a Variation

One common misconception I've noticed is confusing the Focus 20 with intensifying an exercise by adding a variation.

The Focus 20 is about increasing clients' effort and intensity through your coaching—not by introducing a new variation.

If you choose to finish an exercise with a variation, that variation must be introduced with at least 30 seconds remaining so clients have time to settle into it before the Focus 20 begins. Any variations must be at least 30 seconds in duration.

No new variations should be introduced during the final 20 seconds. The last 20 seconds should be dedicated to challenging, motivating, and coaching clients to maximize their effort in the movement they are already performing.

30 Seconds Remaining

Know how the exercise will finish.
If you're ending with a variation, it should already be introduced by the 30-second mark.
Avoid introducing a new variation during the final 20 seconds.
Between 30–20 Seconds

Continue coaching, motivating, and making form corrections.
Give a brief Fast Forecast (3–5 seconds) that includes only:
Foot position
Springs
Direction
Keep it concise. This is not the time for a full explanation of the next exercise.
Final 20 Seconds

This is where the Focus 20 begins.

Give your clients a challenge. Encourage them to push closer to their Level 10 effort. Continue motivating, coaching, and recognizing great effort while maintaining your focus on the room.

Final 10 Seconds

Begin your countdown while continuing to coach. The countdown should still include encouragement and form cues, not just counting numbers.

If helpful, you may include a quick one-second forecast (next move and/or spring change).

At Zero: Reward the Class

One of the most important pieces of the Focus 20 is what happens after the countdown.

Once clients complete the challenge, acknowledge their effort with genuine praise.

Examples:

"Nice job!"
"You crushed that!"
"I saw that effort!"
"Great work staying with it!"
The reward reinforces the challenge and encourages clients to fully commit the next time they hear "20 seconds."

Consistency 

The Focus 20 should happen 10–20 times per class whenever appropriate, not just once or twice. The more consistently we create these moments, the more our clients will naturally recognize the final 20 seconds as the time to dig deeper and finish strong.

Don't simply count down the final 20 seconds, but coach the final 20 seconds. The challenge, motivation, coaching, and reward are what make the Focus 20 impactful.

Lastly, class must end with the most challenging exercise, no exercise at the front of the machine. 

We expect the Focus 20 to be implemented in every class. If you are still not sure whether you are applying the Focus 20 correctly, please let me know and we will work with you on this. 

Thank you all!

Best,

Mabel 
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