Issue with circuit classes - is it me?

To me, it sounds like he was trying to make it a bit fun and out there, challenging etc.
The fact he adapted it for you does say he has some awareness, but he clearly didn't realise how much you were struggling.
I've been to plenty classes where the activity is too hard, and if I can't do something I will just stop and either do something easier myself, which is never an issue, or wait for the instructor to give me something easier. It sounds like you were pushing really hard to do it - do you think he didn't realise you were still struggling after dropping to knees because you maybe didn't stop or look like you were struggling?

I'd have a quiet word with the instructor personally and explain your take on the situation - then try a few more classes to see if it's any better before leaving completely. I bet he'll be mortified and bend over backwards to accommodate you. If not, then sack it off as he's not a good instructor in that case.

I've heard cross fit can be quite macho / competitive
He sounds like an arse op.
Try and ignore him and stand up for yourself.

Sorry but he sounds shit - poor expertise, poor execution, poor teaching, poor business development. He should be the one on here posting about having screwed up. Instead, when you raised it with him (good for you) because you actually value his product in some ways, he immediately says ‘you should have done X’ - what?? You’re the customer giving feedback! At most he should have been saying ‘wow thank you for taking the time to tell me about this, let’s work out how it would work better for you’ - though tbh I would expect him to be the one saying he will change!

Id be reluctant to give him another chance and would be looking at asking one of the other instructors if they do personal training tbh, but if it’s the right location and setup for you you’re just going to have to toughen up - decide what’s right for you and tell him up front how you’re going to handle it. But imo you shouldn’t have to.

Is it a cross fit type gym,?

I think you need to be more willing to do modifications and not shame yourself for them. Accept the level you’re at and own it. He offered a modification but you chose not to use it. He’s pushing too hard and not creating the best atmosphere but that’s on him. You can look after yourself and do what you need to do to get fitter, whilst still attending his classes.

Excellent advice.

And yes, most people either really hate burpees, or pretend to hate burpees. But they are amazing for fitness and mobility.

Think of when you're 80 and you fall over (it happens). A burpee is training you to get yourself up off the ground.

You can do them really slowly, stepping your legs out and in, pushing up from your knees.

i started saying my back was hurting, he told me to go on my knees

So he did adjust it for your ability. I think you need to just do what you can, and if it becomes a big thing, give some feedback on the spot: tell him you felt in danger of injury.

If you enjoy the classes otherwise, and you are feeling the benefits. have a word about needing to be able to scale things down while you develop requisite strength.

This kind of thing happens in one of my circuit classes but it’s at a sports club where this is just another part of our training and we all know each other and there’s plenty of banter, it totally fits in with our vibe and taken in the spirit intended by all. It doesn’t sound like it worked vibe-wise at your place (if someone is going away upset and stressed about it then it definitely didn’t work!) but I’m glad you’ve said something and that likely will prompt a change, fingers crossed. Well done for your fitness efforts, keep going!

I see why you were annoyed. One thing to keep in mind is "punishment Burpees" and similar aren't really a punishment, it's part of the workout, especially in a circuit class where it's all about doing different things. No one would actually be annoyed at you for "earning" them burpees. If someone couldn't do burpees they would not do them or do something else.

a good trainer modifies exercises based on need but also encourages effort.
does the trainer not ask for limitations before starting?

tell the trainer
and tell the gym

exactly this! A good instructor should always given options and never make people feel bad about choosing them. I would actually have walked out of that class.

That’s terrible because there’s a thin line between pushing people to do their best or them actually feeling awkward/ anxious or even getting hurt.

when he was explaining you should of asked for a modification
you can modify that
squat pulse /squat
shoulder press/shoulder press hold
wall sit /squats

just speak up keep

That sounds awful. I tend to
stick to classes where I know the choreography now like Body Pump so I am not required to work in a pair or do anything I can’t after I hurt my shoulder because a young instructor said everyone can do
full Press ups.

I would also just say "I'll give it a go, but i cant do that yet, so will modify it" and smile.
But if you dont think you can raise this as an issue and he clearly isn't noticing, I would look for somewhere else! Im lucky, people in my classes are encouraging. Yes, occasionally we have "punishment" burpees, and it is very much done as a laugh and if someone said No to doing any exercises, no one would make a thing of it and the instructors always give alternatives!

He sounds an absolute arsehole, and the type of person that puts me right off exercise. Not everything has to be a competition.

I’m a bolshy cow when it comes to knowing my limits so I’d just call it out. Loudly and confidently as he’s briefing in the activities - “Geoff, I’ll have to do that station on my knees as it’s not safe for me the other way. Hope that’s ok” then a big breezy smile. Keep doing it everytime.

Give your notice. Your trainer should be encouraging you to work at your level. Telling you to do something that is too hard will likely either lead to injury or bad form, both of which will send you backwards rather than forwards.

What the actual fuck?!

So firstly - well done on going to the classes consistently, you've done brilliantly and it's great that you're getting stronger.

I teach exercise classes and no way would I ever do that to a group - even if I was sure everyone was strong enough, you never know when someone has an achy back or did some massive pilates class yesterday and has incredibly sore abs!

I mean if i was training, when he was explaining the stations, I'd have straight up said, I can't do that can I have a substitute please... but I get that you might not feel confident enough.
Definitely try and explain to him that you felt under pressure and did too much and hurt yourself, if he doesn't take a lesson from that he's a pretty shit coach.