Issue with circuit classes - is it me?

[FirstdatesFred]

New gym opened really close to my house, offering classes rather than open access gym. I’m not very fit, recently lost a lot of weight with MJ and approaching menopause so wanting to get fitter and stronger: single parent working full time so struggle to fit in classes/gym.

Ive been really proud of myself going to these classes since January. They are a bit hard for me but the trainer said they’re for all levels and he has been encouraging. I can feel myself getting stronger.

he teaches most of the classes himself but there are a few done by other teachers. I’m so limited in my available time that it wouldn’t be worth the monthly fee to only do classes not taught by him.

But I really don’t like his style and approach. Generally it’s been ok but every so often there’ll be an element that can’t be modified for ability. Last night was the worst like that so far.

we’re in pairs going round the stations each one 5 mins. At one, you had to be in high peak then low plank 30s each for 5 mins without knees ever touching the ground.
Anyone someone’s knee touched the ground the whole group would have to do an extra burpee at the end.

I normally do press ups etc on my knees as the strength isn’t there yet.

as it got closer to my and my partners turn I was really nervous. No one before me had touched knees and he kept going on about that.

I knew I couldn’t do it but didn’t want the humiliation of being the first one to fail.

I struggled about half way through, back was hurting, almost getting a bit tearful. Struggled moving from low to high. Felt like lots of people watching whilst they did other stations.

i started saying my back was hurting, he told me to go on my knees but I didn’t want to, so kind of sat back on my feet for a minute then carried on. Whole body quivering and feeling it in my back, so close to running out in tears 🙈

the rest of the group are friendly enough but some very fit people there and I don’t know them all very well.

i just about did it but felt it was so humiliating.

one lady after me “failed” and he made a bit thing of it.

i don’t want to go back, it’s not my style.
hes said it’s an inclusive place for all abilities but didn’t feel like it.

im just sad about it as other than the odd 5 minutes like that I’ve been enjoying the classes and proud of myself.

i won’t be able to fit in time for anything else that isn’t so close.

should I just give notice and not go back?

give him feedback that I didn’t enjoy it?

I know I’ll be anxious going back about something similar happening

am I over sensitive about it? Should I just have done it on my knees?

my back is sore today 😞

Just to say the other instructors classes are better, without the whole targets/forfeit/team goals thing but I can only make about 3 a month of those. Rather than 2 a week of his.

I normally would say it's worth giving feedback, but actually I would be a bit worried about his credentials as a trainer if he's encouraging people to do things they are not strong enough for and thereby risking injury. Yes, he did say to go on your knees when you said your back was hurting, but he'd set up an environment in which people don't feel comfortable speaking up if they think they will 'fail'. If doing planks is making your back hurt, it's probably because your core isn't yet strong enough to hold them properly, and this doesn't sound safe to me - it's the instructor's responsibility to know that and notice people's form and it doesn't sound like he's doing that. So on that basis I wouldn't want to go back, I'd be looking for a pilates class with a properly qualified teacher and small groups who can help you build up your core strength safely.

I would absolutely hate that and would definitely put me off. I’d give feedback privately outside of the class but ultimately if he doesn’t take it on board I’d leave. The instructors at my gym are always very good at adapting classes.

I do a lot of gym, and a lot of classes in a sport where everyone is miles better and younger than me, and the coaches are nothing but encouraging, supportive and offer modifications.

Bin that all off, tell them why, and find somewhere else. Most instructors/pts whatever will be only to happy to help you get stronger and fitter at your pace and with positive encouragement!

Well done on your weight loss and effort.

As an aside, I’d try to find a gym you could start weight training. Get a good PT to get you started, absolutely the best thing for body composition and also confidence

First of all, well done for starting this!

I think that you should carry on with the classes as you have said yourself that you enjoy them, are getting stronger and fitter and (generally) find the instructor encouraging, but do give him some feedback.

Perhaps he forgot that you wouldn't be able to do this exercise without going on your knees? They should ask at the beginning of the session if anyone has any injuries or issues.

I would have just sat it out or done jumping jacks or running on the spot or something else appropriate and told the instructor that I had a bad back, but I do feel quite confident with this kind of thing and I know it is not so easy if you are more anxious or self conscious. I am sure the other members of the class aren't really taking much notice of what you are doing.

Agree with @BarnacleBeasleyYou should absolutely be able to do modified plank on your knees until you build core strength and he should know this and be watching out for anyone struggling, not shaming them. Is there a core strength class you could do, or Pilates? If you don’t have core strength you can struggle with many things exercise related so it’s good to work on as a base

The thing is, I don't think OP has a bad back already (?), I think this instructor is pushing her to do things that are giving her a bad back, because he's not teaching the class proper techniques or form. That's not appropriate.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

Thanks all, interesting those who said I should ask for a substitution.

i did message him (chat gpt suggested some wording) along the lines of, I’ve been enjoying the classes but the plank station was stressful as I’m still building core strength and didn’t feel I could modify without letting the group down.

he replied with his usual encouraging guff (he called me “champ” once) and said that I could have asked to alter it pre challenge and he would have given me an alternative challenge.

i guess I should have had the confidence to do that, and have done before.

debating giving it another go and seeing if he’s taken the feedback on board/trying to remember to ask to modify beforehand.

only because it is so convenient and I’d struggle to fit anything else in further away.

but really appreciate the validation that it wasn’t just me not liking this approach

Also I have been doing Pilates a couple of years and definitely have more core strength than I did. Trying to do Pilates once a week, 2 of the circuit/strength classes which have cardio too and also trying to build up to 5K jogging

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.

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.

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

It’s his business, he is the main trainer and owns it, then has a couple of other trainers who do some classes (and I prefer their style but the timings don’t work for me at the moment)

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.

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 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.

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.

Excellent advice.