Likes and dislikes in a fitness class? For a new instructor.

[Coffeetree]

Hi everyone,

I've recently started teaching Legs Bums and Tums and Body Conditioning. Mostly women in the classes, in a leisure centre.

Of course I ask for feedback but thought I'd see what people here would recommend? Anything in particular you like or hate in fitness classes?

I stopped going as the instructor constantly kept whoop whooping with her fist in the air and shouting awesome. Limited vocabulary.

Avoid those and im sure you’ll be fine.

The biggest reasons I don't go to fitness classes are:

1. Being singled out/attention drawn to me
2. Being paired up
3. Not being allowed to just hide at the back of the room and do things at my own pace.

My biggest bug bear is the music, having to stop look around to see what I'm supposed to be doing as I can't hear you over the music.

Yes to music not being too loud, clear explanations & checking for injuries / medical conditions.

Agree with a lot of these. Clear concise instructions are great as are demos. Start and finish on time, say some encouragement but mostly focus on making sure everyone has good form for what they're doing. If it's an aerobics class helpful to let people know roughly what intensity they should be working at.

No to splitting the class in half and seeing who can sing the loudest, talking about ladies and their preferences and shouting out each person on the list and insisting they shout back - I hate classes by this instructor so much that I miss a class at a very convenient time.

Different levels of ability catered for is good. It makes a big difference how you do the modifications.

Please, please start with the easiest version and say "if this is comfortable, try ..." You can keep on doing this ...

If you start with the more difficult version, people will be reluctant to try the easier version unless they have to ... and then they will feel a bit shit for having to 'give up'.

It's much easier to try a more difficult version when you can easily go back to the easier version.

@Keeptrudging

The biggest reasons I don't go to fitness classes are:

1. Being singled out/attention drawn to me
2. Being paired up
3. Not being allowed to just hide at the back of the room and do things at my own pace.

This!

It’s great to say “remember to straighten your hips and tense your core” not “you in the back stand up straight”. Equally being identified as a newbie makes me feel so embarrassed, better to say “nice to see you here”.

Also echo a PP that says start with the easiest version of a move.

I absolutely hate being paired up. I did a boot camp class and we had a substitute teacher who did so much pairing and I hated it. If he’d been the main teacher I’d have quit.

I have also felt quite lost at some classes. I remember my first body pump class no-one told me what to do and I was completely baffled by all the equipment and what I needed.

I absolutely love my body pump teacher because she praises us just the right amount.

There's a really painful lunge track and the song ends with the line 'I did that' and she always ends by singing 'we did that' with a big grin on herself.

I love her she's the only person who has ever made weight training bearable for me.

@OnlyClothes

Stop people from standing in the same place every week, as a newbie you feel unwelcome.

Don’t play crap loud music.

Er, What on earth do you think gives you the right to turn up to a class that people have been doing for months/ years and demand they don't take their usual spot?

Not sure I've ever heard anything so demanding or entitled

Dont bloody film me when I'm exercising. I don't mind a photo of he I'm ready for it.

But I don't want to be filmed when I'm dripping in sweat and concentrating.

I really really hate it.

And talk to me. Say hello when I'm new to your class and see how I am when I finished the class.

Agreed!

@BudgeSquare

Blimey! You couldn't have disagreed without being so rude/unkind?!

Also ask if there’s any questions, feedback. Just engage with the class and be warm and friendly.

The five most horrendous words you'll ever hear at a fitness class:

"Right, everybody find a partner..."

Nothing that is going to embarrass me - no partners, no calling out to correct me, no making me stand at the front (I stand at the back because I don't want loads of people behind me watching me do stuff wrong)

Reasons I have stopped going to certain instructors' classes:

Shouting at people
Talking for 15 minutes with the regulars so that the class starts 15 minutes late
Touching / adjusting me without warning ( I have injuries and it hurts!)

Reasons I have kept going:
Class is welcoming to new people
Instructor gives good instructions and also a range of options for different levels or those with injuries
Class starts and finishes on time

I joined a pilates class. The others had been going for a while. The instructor was trying to be helpful and kept correcting my positioning, but by the end I felt completely picked on and singled out.

Would have been good if she could have given the others some tips along the way too, so I didn't feel quite so useless.

For me friendliness is v.important: welcoming to newcomers and no clique.

I once took a class for a while where the instructor was technically good but totally humourless and I didn't find it a very positive experience and stopped going.

If you have a microphone then you do not need to shout into it.

I really like it when they tell you the structure - eg 4 lots of 3 songs. Really helps me to pace myself.

Basic welcome instructions should be given every time you see a new face.

I like doing mostly the same stuff but a new song every now and then is good.

Another one, sorry...

I did a barre class with a very upbeat smiley smiley woman who kept telling us to smile.

She started sounding quite desperate by the end.

I gave up on the class

So, no enforced positivity!

Oh and no shaming people for not being quite up to the fitness of the rest of the class.

I'm looking at you, spin teacher who tutted at me for not having my resistance turned right up and came over to adjust it!!

In term of "singling out", I'll sometimes call out people's names like "Well done Lisa, good form". I find something genuine and make sure I'm not praising the same people all the time. I was thinking that people would like that but do you think some people would be embarrassed by that?

I chose my personal trainer because of how he was as an instructor in classes.

I only started at the gym 18 months ago, very overweight, post partum and extremely self conscious.

I tried loads of different classes with different instructors, but he is the absolute best.

He shows lots of different levels and variations, goes around and checks form or shows you what to do quietly and individually. Friendly but not cliquey. For example, I see him twice a week for PT and he’s also my sparring partner, but he is exactly the same with me in classes as he is with everyone else.

Also, keep remembering that some people there will be incredibly nervous, you’re attitude as an instructor can either mean they come back and continue their fitness journey or never return to a gym.

@Breadandbutterpud

I hate it when the class feels cliquey and the instructor is part of me. Always make sure newbies are given a warm welcome and include them in any conversations that you’re having when waiting for the class to begin.

And start on time! I’ve been to a few classes where the instructor waits for people who are running late and it infuriates me! You should start the class at the set time.

Definitely this! I love fitness classes but I'm always put off by the ones where the instructor is really friendly with some of the group. I mean, it's fine that they're friends, but don't chat about your nights out as it makes other people feel a bit unwelcome! There's an instructor at my gym who is a bit like this, she's actually very good, but some of the regulars are total fan girls! It's all about odd.

The best instructors make newcomers feel welcome and at ease and are relaxed and friendly with everyone. They're always on time and mix the routine up so it doesn't get boring

I really like it when there are different options for a particular exercise.

Like an easier option if something is quite challenging, so you can still join in and keep going and get a work out, but it's just a bit easier on the joints/ muscles.