Exercise class full of vipers! AIBU to be put off?

[OverTheHammer]

I'm a member of a gym and so far have stuck to using the machines and swimming only as I know how uncoordinated I am so dare not brace the classes.

Last night I plucked up the courage to try a "legs bums and tums" class as the description made it sound rather stationary.

When I got there, other members were a bit mean to me and not at all welcoming. I always assumed the classes would be set up prior to arrival so I found a "stepper" and sat on it like everyone else was. I was then told that it belonged to someone. Ok ... so I moved to another one and was told rather abruptly that that one belonged to someone and I had to get my own. I had no idea where to get them from!! I eventually saw someone disappearing into a cupboard and returning with a stepper so I followed - got myself a stepper and then went to sit on it - I was then told to move further away from this particular group who were all chatting and to find a space!!!

Good job I'm thick skinned! So feeling like the unpopular new kid that nobody wants to talk to I found myself a space (as far away from any fucker as possible!) and sat down (waiting to be told off again!).

Finally the class started and I just couldn't keep up as my lack of coordination had me in knots. There was no guidance and when I looked to the side of me to grasp what everyone else was doing I was told "eyes forward or you'll strain your neck!!!" By the instructor.

(I know, I'm a fucking saint to still be here at this point!).

Then it came to mat work - however I didn't have a mat as I wasn't aware I needed one (as no fucker thought to tell me whilst snapping at me earlier!). So off I ran into the cupboard to grab a mat only for instructor to belt out "can we all make sure we're set up before class please!". I noticed I was getting the evils off a few regulars. Back to the floor I laid down like everyone else and was shouted at again as my feet were not in the right position! Honestly I felt an absolute twat - like the idiot that can't get anything right.

Needless to say I'm slightly put off going again next week. I also train in karate and have done on and off for 25 years - I've never come across such an unfriendly bunch!

Is this what classes are like then? Shame because I could feel it working the bits I wanted to work and once I get the coordination sorted I think I'd enjoy it but the other regulars (and snappy instructor!) have put me off!

I agree with Fledgling. All you need to do is turn up 5 mins early to the class and notify the instructor that you're new.

Surely you must have noticed that people were getting their own equipment out? Even so, I doubt these women were nasty about you?! And if you then put you're stuff directly in front of someone else it probably blocked their view of the mirror or the instructor.

Often the instructor can't win - if she ignored you doing it wrong and didn't correct you then she wouldn't have been doing her job properly. If she corrected you in front of everyone (as it's a group class) then she was obviously picking on you.

I would try the class again before complaining.

I would complain.

I went to a dance class where I was asked to move by one regular because I was in 'her space', then another regular (who was late) tried to crowd me out of 'his space' for the rest of the class. It was a dull class full of dull people so I have left them to get on with it and joined the oldies.

I go to three fitness classes a week and I've never experienced this!

Before every class the instructor asks who's new, explains briefly what the class entails and what equipment you'll need and where to get it, only takes about 10 minutes.

That is shocking behaviour and I would definitely be having a word with reception next time you're in.

Don't let it scare you off though OP if you think you may enjoy it

That's hideous behaviour! My old gym was full of screechy yummy mummies; one actually elbowed me during Body Attack as I asked the instructor a question (turned out he was her husband ) I moved to a much friendlier smaller gym where they seem to take care of their members much better. I'm overseas too and although I speak the language fairly well I struggle with some of the technical/anatomical words but there's always someone who can explain in English.

Eurgh I hate wanky gym people.

Sounds ghastly. I'd have to go back at least once to show they hadn't got to me - but I'm an obstinate old bird.

If you do want to back - you know the drill now, you have your space, now to get a step and a mat - you'll get the hang of the co-ordination.

I go to yoga and dance classes, and I've never seen such behaviour, we always say hi to newbies, and make sure they know what to do. They're not at a gym though, perhaps that's the difference?

Did you tell the instructor that it was the first time you've done the class? I do a lot of classes and have to admit that new people who either don't tell the instructor they're new or wait til the last minute to do it (and make everyone else late) do annoy me.

You poor thing.
I went to LBT (only twice) it seemed to consist of large cliques of women who blanked and wouldn't talk to women who were obviously on their own, or newcomers.
Notice I said used to go to!

plausiblesuit I demand you come back immediately and tell us the rest of the iceberg!

What a thoroughly unpleasant bunch of people. And I include the instructor in this.

Sadly, this is typical in my experience. A small clique treats a class like a private club. If the instructor has joined in with this, then it's time to complain to the gym management. It's their JOB to help newbies as well as long term attendees. How on earth are you supposed to know what equipment and where to get it, if the instructor doesn't tell you! This is one reason I left our local DL.

You could try another class, but ask to speak to the instructor before you start. That might give you a heads up on whether you want to join it or not.

I'm a PT too and regularly teach classes in a variety of gyms. Your experience sounds awful but please don't let this particular class put you off group exercise forever. Feed back what happened and look for a new facility. Gym membership isn't cheap so you certainly shouldn't have to put up with this!

A small clique treats a class like a private club. If the instructor has joined in with this, then it's time to complain to the gym management. It's their JOB to help newbies as well as long term attendees

Unfortunately, you do get 'groupies' at these classes, who act like they're bezzie mates with the Instructor. It's sickening to watch some of them . bad instructors encourage it.
A good instructor won't put up with that shit and doesn't have favorites. He or she will treat new people with as much respect as the regulars.

Our instructors ask at every class if anyone is new. Not HL but a large chain. I'd spend my money elsewhere.

Instructor should have asked if anybody is new. Next time, go a little earlier and tell the instructor you're new and what your level is. I'm an instructor and I could then take some time to advise you about equipment needed and where to stand, and how to modify exercises if needed. And to go easy if you don't get it the first time.

The people were of course rude, they could have easily pointed you towards the step benches.

Complain, OP. This is not normal. We've all been new to classes once. I am friendly and welcoming with new people that go to the classes I go to.

@Crunchymum
God that sounds fucking horrendous.
I wouldn't go back! I'd make a huge complaint as well.

This. Exactly this. What a bunch of cows.

That's shit. I've just started classes. Instructer always asks if anyone is new to that class, and briefly talks through the equipment needed- size of weights.

I'd complain.

I couldn't speak to instructor beforehand as she was late to her own class. I'd got there 10 minutes early but by then everyone had already set up and then half of them had buggered off out of the room meaning there were loads of steppers set up with nobody on them so I assumed the class had already been set up for everyone if you see what I mean?

KatharinaRosolie, (or any other Instructors)
as an Instructor, what are your personal thoughts about the 'groupies you always get at exercise classes', you know, the ones who cause the class to start late because they insist on chatting to the instructor and telling them their life stories at the start of every single class!
Or the people (same ones) who stand right at the front at every single class and act like bloody teacher's pets and secretly wish they were taking the class!

Go on. Spill!
Confections of an Instructor!

Well you can certainly see who on this thread would be clique members.
They all sound horrible including the instructor. It would have cost them nothing to just give you the right information politely.

That is totally unacceptable, the instructor is at fault here, she should be making the class welcoming, and setting the classes up for you. I would lodge a complaint with the Gym and cancel my membership. I go to a serious martial arts Dojo, and there are some very experienced people in martial arts, and have never ever been made to fee like that. Everyone is so welcoming, the instructors are fantastic and gear their instruction to all levels.

Complain! That's super shit. You often get 'those people' in David lloyds, the housewife cliques the 'im superior because I'm skinny types' but normally there's plenty of normal nice people as well in the classes. Hope you try again and don't lose out because of some people being so mean.

How bloody awful! Enough for the bitches to start without the unwelcoming trainer as well! I would have said something right there and then (getting less tolerant with age!!!) and complained in person and writing to the gym. How can they encourage people to get fit if they behave like that!!!

Unfortunately, you do get 'groupies' at these classes, who act like they're bezzie mates with the Instructor. It's sickening to watch some of them

A bit like in school with the PE Mistress then!!!

Ugh! It's so depressing that some people can't leave this behaviour behind them when they leave school.

I've never experienced anything that bad, but I was surprised at how fucking unfriendly the Pilates class at my gym was. Like in your case, the majority knew each other, I arrived early, was eye-balled and totally ignored except to be told "If x is coming, she stands there" as I shuffled forward as the class began.

My friend goes to a triathlon class, which sounded terrifying to me, but which was lovely; so welcoming and inclusive despite her fears about being significantly overweight and not that fit, and there are competitive athletes amongst the class. By contrast she made a swift exit from a Slimming World coven a few weeks before that was ghastly.

Where I am an established member of a class or group, I'm always friendly to newcomers, it's just human decency.

This sort of behaviour is why I hesitate to go to a new class. It has happened to me a few times in the past and some classes really are cliquey. In my present yoga class there are a few people who giggle and chat and ostentatiously make loud arrangements to meet up afterwards for coffee. I did a class which used equipment a while back where no one told me what I needed, or how to put it together. I've sussed out now where to stand and put my mat in each class so I can see and not get left behind.