As an instructor with more than 20 years’ experience under her belt, Syreeta Stracey knows only too well the struggles of finding cover when she’s unwell or a holiday means she cannot take her regular classes. Being introduced to the CoverMe app has changed that.

“The ease of finding cover when I need it has been such a blessing. I don't have to worry about finding the cover myself, as I did before, I just post the classes that need covering on the app and go and enjoy my time off. CoverMe does the rest. It’s so much less stressful.”

Syreeta has been an instructor at Studio Society in London since the club opened in 2017, where she teaches Zumba and Strong Nation, as well as indoor cycling, strength training, Yoga and a raft of other classes.

She says: “I love the community we have built at Studio Society over the last six years. The members are amazing and I've been lucky enough to create a lot of strong friendships, which I will be forever grateful for. I don't have a favourite class. When I teach I feel blessed and happy in that moment and think this is my favourite class, but then I go and teach another class and feel the same way.”

Syreeta has danced and taken part in competitive sports since childhood. Determined to work in the industry, she trained in a range of disciplines to teach multiple classes. Now a high-profile fitness professional, Syreeta has been a master trainer for various dance and fitness programmes, training students to become fitness instructors, and is currently a presenter for Zumba and Strong Nation (formally Strong by Zumba), showcasing them on stage at national and international fitness events. She also teaches sport to children with disabilities. 

In addition to allowing Syreeta to enjoy some well-earned downtime, without the stress of souring replacement cover herself, CoverMe helps freelance group exercise professionals like Syreeta to maximise their income. Free to download, the app allows instructors to find work when and where they want by raising their profile with gyms, studios and clubs in locations that suit them. CoverMe sends personalised class cover notifications direct to instructors’ mobiles – all they have to do is hit a button to accept and earn more by teaching more of the classes they love.

"Before CoverMe, I found work via other instructors, social media platforms and WhatsApp groups. Being part of the CoverMe community has increased my earning potential. It's comforting to know that if extra work comes up I can choose to apply or not. Extra work means extra money, and if I do more training courses or become qualified to teach other classes I can add these to the app and get even more offers of work – so my potential income is uncapped,” she says.

Syreeta’s advice for other instructors looking to raise their profile is don’t hold back. The more information you can provide, the better: “Employers will always look at your profile when you apply for a job at their fitness facility via CoverMe, so the more detail you have on your biography, including pictures and videos of you teaching the class they’re looking to cover, the more likely you are to get the work.”