Do you do a circuits class? What does your instructor do during the class? What makes it good?

[Borkins]

I'm thinking of becoming an instructor!

[GodwinsRulebook]

don't like too many burpees grin but then who does
In a circuit class I do, one morning it was raining. We usually do a run around the car park after everyone's done the 10 circuit stations. That morning, our instructor suggested we do burpees instead. WE all said, No! we don't mind the rain! The run around the car park is a nice relax/recuperation activity after the 10 sets.

I like an instructor who coaches - I can always improve my form & technique. And proper technique makes things easier.

[megletthesecond]

Changing it every week.
Funny.
Making up games. Even though they're games that usually involve burpees.

[EmmaStone]

My PT does a circuits class, he wanders around checking our form, quietly giving encouragement (using our names), and gives us some countdowns - half way, or 10 seconds to go for example. Encourages us to get more reps in when we're coming close to ending a circuit.

He's starting adding in some variety, which is good (but also makes it much harder when you don't know what's coming ). So sometimes we're just working our way around stations, sometimes we do clusters of stations and then move on, sometimes we go outdoors (only in summer), sometimes 1 person has to achieve something on a particular station (say 10 burpees), while everyone else is on various other stations, and we can't move on until the person is finished, sometimes we need to do something explosive in between each station (squat jumps, burpees etc).

I do my utmost to get there each week, and won't accept other invitations on circuits night!

[Borkins]

Well not really shouting. I wouldn't do that. More just an encouraging voice!

[nbee84]

And yes to the music - some banging tunes help

[nbee84]

No shouting. Knowing people's names. Standing by counting down the reps when they can see you need a push. Joining in with the burpees 😆

[PatchworkElmer]

@Borkins, they do walk around. I’m not overly motivated by shouting, tbh.

[Borkins]

Does your instructor walk round? Shout encouragement?

I like to walk round intermittently and encourage. Give tips for improving form (but never tell someone they are doing something wrong). Sometimes I'll join in a bit. I think a great soundtrack helps!

[PatchworkElmer]

I do a couple- one I really like has stations which alternate between strength and cardio, so you work in different ways but keep your heart rate up. Then a section where everyone stops and does a couple of things (jumping jacks etc) to peak it. The instructor does something different every week- last week, one of the stations was doing push ups on a fit ball, which I found really challenging.

I hate it when we’re put into pairs for exercises, and would definitely attend a circuits class that didn’t inflict it upon me!!

[nbee84]

I like a circuits class that covers most muscle groups and one that includes a decent amount of cardio too. I like an instructor that encourages and motivates us throughout the class, not one that just shows us each exercise and sits back while we get on with it. I like the class to be fun, though I'm finding it hard to articulate what I mean by fun! I don't like too many burpees but then who does! The best classes are the challenging ones where half way through you think OMG why the hell am I doing this to myself??? But at the end you get that high and sense of achievement that you smashed it.