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?

Agree with not asking for too much feedback. I listen to feedback but don't go overboard. I figure it better to design a varied well-structured class with different levels and just go with it.

I Hate:
Cliques - the worst
Dance music or 80s music. It puts me off going. It makes all the difference when you have good, modern music
Fake/over the top enthusiasm
The same every week

I like:
A friendly group - I realise this is out of your control!
Good music
New moves
An instructor who bothers to acknowledge I exist! And that appreciates us coming!

The absolute worst thing for me is when the instructor cranks the music to painful levels, and uses the volume to indicate pace - so will turn it up even higher when it’s the final set. Gyms should have safe noise level monitors in their rooms. Often women instructors are much better than men. I have left two gyms due to dangerous volume levels - I’m early 30s and club and stuff so I’m not just deeply lame lol, but I go to the gym to benefit my body not damage my hearing. It’s perfectly possible to create a “vibe” with music and tempo without it being louder than Pacha.

I find classes that recommend adjustments really useful, so you can push yourself or take it easier depending on how you are feeling.
Agree with cliquey comments!
I don’t think this next comment is relevant to you, just the fact that you are asking MNetters their views is a good sign, but I had an instructor who made the session about her, as if she was on a stage and the class just happened to be there copying her moves! I went a couple of times and then never again.

@Coffeetree my friend said to her that she was new and would the instructor be able to talk her through setting up the bike and the lady held up her hand to my friends face and said “right, it’s 6am, let’s stop with the questions and I’ll do it in a minute,” and then carried on chatting and saying hello to people as they arrived. Who holds their hand up in someone’s face?! After that, my friend stood next to her bike, I talked her through how I set mine up and she started copying it to suit her height etc and the lady came back over and with a very snappy tone told her she should have come early to the class if she needed help with her bike - to which my friend said we’d come the recommended 15 minutes early for a new starter (it says on the app to come 15 minutes early if new to allow time to set up bike - obviously it doesn’t take 15 minutes to do but it allows the instructor time to get the whole class ready and aswell)…
Anyway, it wasn’t a drama, she was just rude in her tone. We both enjoyed the class, the lady was just not very warm or friendly. No big deal, we have booked on again for the next class so it hasn’t put my friend off but I don’t think it’s good customer service