Signs you’re taking a class from a bad group fitness instructor
This one is about signs you’re taking a class from a bad group fitness instructor. I originally published this post in 2015, and it was one of the most popular posts on this site for a few years. What you see below is an updated version of the original post, because this topic sure deserved to be revisited.
Group fitness is one of my favorite things to talk about! And while I usually like to keep it super positive, this one is going to dig into some of the bad things you may see in a class.
Have you ever been to a bad group fitness class and walked out of there almost a little angry because of the bad group fitness instructor? It hasn’t happened to me in a long time, but I can certainly remember the feeling all too well (that’s the only two Taylor Swift reference in this post, by the way).
Even though I’ve been teaching group fitness classes for more than a decade and I know the right way to lead a workout, I don’t expect perfection from every class that I attend. Not at all. I love variety in teaching styles, and I love learning from different types of people in all sorts of settings. In fact, depending on the format of the class, there are many ways to instruct and set a seen. That being said, there are certainly a few things that rub me the wrong way in a class. That’s why today, I thought it would be fun to talk about what you don’t want to see in a group fitness class.
Before we begin, let me say this: I always try to be kind. I often write about positive things. And as a group fitness instructor and certified fitness professional, I approach my own classes in an uplifting way. So it’s not always in my nature to pull out the negative stuff, but sometimes, it just has to be done. Here we go …
Signs you’re taking a class from a bad group fitness instructor
A bad group fitness instructor may choose to do some of the following …
Puts on music and begins the class with zero introduction or explanation.
One of the first things you learn when you become a group fitness instructor is that you need to tell people some basic information before class. And you also need to say hello and share your name. Yes, I’m aware that oftentimes people sign up for a class already knowing the instructor’s name. But, still, it’s polite to give a little hello/intro/welcome, even if it’s super brief.
A solid introduction would include your name, the equipment that each participant needs for the day, the focus of the day, perhaps the length of the workout (unless that’s standard based on where you’re teaching), and then a quick thank you for coming.
Even if everyone in the class has been before, a basic introduction is absolutely essential. As a good group fitness instructor, you need to set the scene, be a host and get things started on the right foot.
I hate to see an instructor jump right in without even a hello and rush to the workout. When you see some of the best instructors, even on the biggest-name virtual platforms, they always do a solid intro, because it matters.
Lets his/her “out-of-the-gym” mood and life show on his/her face.
Do not — I repeat — do not, let your participants or members know if you’re having a bad day. Your job is to motivate, inspire and lead them. While you can certainly be a real person and chat about your life before or after class or even as appropriate during your in-class messaging, there is a fine line between being “real” and being a downer.
If you’re an instructor, it’s your job to be professional and deliver a great workout, whether you have a headache or a to-do list a mile long. Show up. Be present. Be positive. Showing vulnerability is fine, but it has to be done well. Your game face must be on, even if you choose to speak about things relating to your life during the class.
I hate to see an instructor who is rushing in late to class, looking frazzled and immediately complaining about traffic or parking or being tired. You can let your participants do all that complaining. As a good instructor, you need to act like a professional from the moment you walk into the building, and you should show up as a leader no matter what.
Teaches each class as though everyone is a regular and knows exactly what to expect/do.
A good group fitness instructor can lead a beginner, alongside a seasoned regular, with the appropriate cueing and explanations tailored to each.
While I’m all for creating a community and interacting with your regulars as though you’re old friends, as an effective instructor, you’ve got to give some compulsory cues and teach every class as though there is someone a little bit new in the room. It’s the right way to do it. Because oftentimes, there is someone new, and they need that extra help. And you may not even realize you have new people, as well.
Good group fitness instructors also need to remember that even the most experienced participant may forget the basics at times, so you can’t leave out the fundamentals.
Not to mention, if your routines are exactly the same from week-to-week-to-week and people don’t need coaching to get through them, then you need to seriously evaluate your programming. Repeating a workout is totally appropriate with some group fitness class formats, but make sure you’re not repeating too often to elicit boredom or plateaus.
Doesn’t ever stop talking and never uses silence as a tool.
There is something very powerful about purposeful silence. And we all need to practice that in life, both inside the group fitness studio and out.
Sometimes group fitness instructors feel like they need to narrate every second of every class, but a lot of times, just closing your mouth and letting the music and exercise take place is a better choice. Work the silence! It’s a lot harder to pause and read the room than it is to talk over it. Trust me. Experience means shutting up when it’s needed. You should never be speaking during every beat of every class.
I, for one, know that when I’m teaching super-detailed choreography, there’s a lot to be said so it’s hard to stop coaching for long amounts of time. But I look for those tiny areas where I can say nothing. Good group fitness instructors love to rock some silence.
Corrects participants by making a scene or singling someone out in a negative way.
I’ve once attended a class where an instructor asked everyone to look as she corrected a shy participant in the middle of the room. That poor person was mortified, and I’m fairly certain they never returned to that awful studio.
I have also been called out in a class setting, by name, on the microphone by an instructor, who gave me a correction (which was actually not even warranted, but that’s neither here nor there).
While it’s okay to use a model participant to show an option or the right way to do something, you should never call out people for doing something wrong in front of others. It’s not nice. Not nice at all. Think about how you would feel if you showed up to do something out of your comfort zone and were made the “wrong” example in class. Not good. Not welcomed. Not what group fitness is about.
It’s 100 percent great to walk around and help people, but move your microphone away from your mouth and quietly give positive adjustments so that participants feel empowered.
Yells the whole time with no voice modulation.
There is such a thing as “layers of coaching” and using a conversational voice vs. a motivational one, and I really despise the monotone instruction.
When I first moved to Charlotte I took a class several times from an instructor who used a yelling voice from the moment the microphone went on. Literally. Every cue was in a yelling voice. Now, while brand new instructors get nervous and tend to yell, once you are more experienced, you should have layers of your voice.
The opening and warm-up should be conversational. The big pushes should be elevated and motivational. And the cool-down and closing should be soothing. A good group fitness instructor tells a story with the class and with their voice, always. In every class.
Stares are their own reflection in the studio mirrors.
I haven’t taken a yoga class in a studio with mirrors since I lived in California. But I used to frequent a popular yoga studio chain there, and there was an instructor who couldn’t take her eyes off her own reflection when teaching a class. It was distracting and incredibly annoying. And also, it made me dislike that instructor, because she didn’t have the awareness that what she was doing was taking away from the work at hand.
Good group fitness instructors can lead from a stage or lead from anywhere in the room, and their focus should be solely on their participants.
And one more note on mirrors: If you’re an instructor and you’re talking to participants after class, please don’t stare at yourself in the mirror during the conversation. I’ve experienced this too many times. Remember that you’re not there to admire yourself, you’re there to do a job for others.
Makes people feel unsafe or makes people feel confused about what’s next.
While this post is mostly about silly stuff, I will say that the meat/programming of a group fitness class really matters. A good group fitness instructor should have programmed the workout safely and smartly, with appropriate levels for everyone attending, including options for beginners or those with limitations. (And a good group fitness instructor, physically and verbally demonstrates all the levels with the right positive terminology.)
Instructors should be prepared and should know nearly exactly what they plan to do in each part of class. A good group fitness instructor doesn’t just wing it, and then let everyone know that they are winging it. Even if you’re so good that you can wing it, your participants should think what you’re doing is part of your plan. And they should feel informed and able to make their way through your plan, because you’ve set clear intentions and instructions.
You’ll notice that I didn’t say a good group fitness instructor needs to be perfect and not make mistakes. That’s fine. We’re all human. Mistakes happen. But there should always be a safe plan, created by a certified fitness professional who has tried the moves in correct sequencing and is after a certain training stimulus with those moves.
And that’s the list!
While I don’t get to take classes very often any longer, I originally wrote this post because of things I experienced first hand in big corporate gyms, private studios and even during outdoor bootcamps. While at times I’ve still had a good workout from a bad instructor, there’s a little-to-no chance that I’ll be a repeat customer in that particular time-slot if the instructor did any of the above. Life is far too short to take classes from bad group fitness instructors. Right?
Thank you for stopping by to read about the signs of a bad group fitness instructor. I want to end this post by saying that group fitness is absolutely amazing, and it changed my life. I love spending time in the group fitness studio, creating workouts, connecting with others and enjoying the power of community. I know that most group fitness instructors have the best of intentions, and I hope you take this post as a light-hearted piece of entertainment.
For everyone out there currently going to group fitness classes, keep it up. For everyone out there teaching group fitness classes, thanks for sharing your passion. But also, make sure you avoid all of the above! 🙂
Other posts you may like
- What I’ve learned from teaching group fitness for 12 years
- Eight tips for taking your first group fitness class
- Five common fitness mistakes I see people making
- Six health and fitness things I’ve learned to never do anymore
- Confessions of a fitness professional
Questions of the day for you
What’s something you hate to see in a group fitness class?
What’s one quality that you love to see in your group fitness instructor?
What’s your favorite group fitness class to take?
There is one spin instructor who shouts constantly throughout the whole class and constantly asks everyone “how you feeling?” It drives me insane. Now when I see her name on the schedule I will not go. Having someone shout at you and ask you how you’re feeling every five seconds is not my cup of tea.
Ahhh yes, the “clutch phrase” — as in that instructor probably doesn’t even know they fall back on it every time hehehe.
Totally agree with all of these! An instructor who shows up not knowing the choreography turns me off too. If it’s your job to know a new release, then know it! The gym is the highlight of my day most days so if an instructor can’t prep for class, what is the paying client supposed to think?
The worst experience I’ve had is an instructor showing up for his step class drunk — like noticeably so and smelled like booze. He apparently had a blowout with his boyfriend and was either drunk from the night before or had been day drinking. And this was at a luxurious NYC gym… he got fired. After falling off his step.
OH MY GOSH, Diane! A drunk instructor? That’s crazy, and I’ve definitely never seen that. And YES, instructors need to have it together for class. For sure.
Great blog, Ashley! Teaching principles that will create success in any situation!
Thank you!! It’s true that most of these apply in any situation. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!
Yes to all of these! I especially dislike the stereotype that to be a fitness instructor you need to yell the entire time. That’s not definitely not me! I try to use clients that have good form as an example, I think that makes that veteran client feel special and like you said, doesn’t single anyone out specifically!
Yes, Marielle! It’s okay to point people out if you’re being positive!
Yup. I’ve been lucky most of the time, but there are always people in there who just don’t get it. I also hate when the instructor seems to just be going through the motions–ooookaaaay. noowwww turn to the oootthhherrrside. Yawn.
Hi Susie! Showing up and being present is VERY much part of the job!
Great points, especially about the introduction! I hate it when I get the vibe that an instructor is there to get paid to do his/her own workout. There’s not much instruction/form cues happening; however, there is a lot of self-watching going on in the mirror. So annoying!!!!
I know, Amy! It’s a BENEFIT to get a workout in while teaching, but it doesn’t always happen. And the mirror thing? I mean … geez. I see it ALL too often!
Thankfully I’ve never experienced any of these! Sometimes my favorite instructor will make jokes about his bad day..like if we’re punching or something he’ll say that he’s pretending it’s his coworker who took his food or the refrigerator that decided to break. I love when the instructors give you a little peak into their life without having it take over the class!
Exactly, Gretchen! There is a way to do it appropriately. 🙂
Such great points!! The worst is definitely the monotone teacher. We used to have a spin instructor that was like that and one day I went to my regular class and she was subbing so I walked out and did my own workout instead. She just was not motivating at all and had no personality.
Another bad instructor I encountered would talk about food during class – what she was going to enjoy after class and what she was burning off that she ate that day … not a very good way to be instructing at all. Shouldn’t they be teaching you to have a positive view on exercise and food?!?
I love when group instructors take the time to get to know the people attending their class and make you feel like they are genuinely happy that you’re there.
Hi Catherine! Talk about food during class? That’s weird. We should be working out to feel good, not dreaming about a post-class burger hahah. And if you are dreaming about that burger, keep it to yourself. And YES for getting to know participants in class, that’s so important. 🙂
I totally agree with these points! I can’t stand when instructors talk the ENTIRE time without breathing. It just doesn’t seem natural, and it certainly doesn’t seem like they have time really see what’s going on in the room to make corrections. Also, it really bugs me when teachers have choreography (like barre, for example) and their “down for two, and up for two” is totally off the music. Maybe it’s just the dancer in me, but it literally makes me want to walk out. I can’t take it! Haha! 😉
Ohhh for sure, Heather! Being able to move to the beat of the music is imperative in some styles of classes. I’m with you on that! 🙂
Totally agree with all of these. Screaming the whole time is my biggest pet peeve. I avoid those instructors at all costs.
Me too, Jen. I mean, use some volume training, people! 🙂 heheh It’s like typing in all CAPS!!!
I’ll also add, instructors who gripe about gym politics. I’m sure working at a gym is just like any other job, but as a member, I don’t care. I’m there to get a good workout, not hear about how you’re being managed.
That’s a good one too, Jed. Same goes for all jobs — don’t tell the customer about the back-end!
Love this – and why do I feel like this branched from your yoga classes. 😉
I’ve definitely experienced great and terrible group instructors, and you’re so right on your points. I also dislike it when fitness instructors tell us “they’re feeling lazy today” or something of the sort. I’m trying to do the exact opposite. Don’t tell me that’s how you’re feeling today!
Great thoughts!
You bet, Jessica! This one was totally inspired by that terrible yoga studio. You got it. And NO, nobody should ever say they are feeling lazy! Agreed!
Love this Ashley! They are all so true. The only free hour members may have in their day is with you, so make it count.
My pet peeve is when I know instructors memorized the cues in the dvd for the cheesiest clutch phrases “only pump can hurt like this,” “eat sleep pump repeat..” I just can’t.
Oh yes, for sure. I bet some members wonder why multiple instructors say the same weird phrase. Right? Just make up your own! 🙂
Definitely going to be taking some these cues into my spinning class tomorrow!
Yes, Dani! I hope your classes have been going well! 🙂
Makes me not want to ever try a class if that’s how the instructors are!
Well the good thing is that MOST instructors are good. At least I would like to think so. Don’t be scared to try!
Love these!! It’s sooo hard to critic a instructor because I can’t even imagine how hard a job it is to try to motivate people and stand up and talk /coach for a full hour…but I would for sure say instructors who know someone is new yet don’t really help them learn the moves (ie BodyPump) gets me..makes me so sad because I know that person is going to walk away sore and potentially in pain/hurt because they haven’t been taught the correct form. It just takes a few seconds to go over (mic still on) and just workout with the class ..that way you’re not singling someone out but letting new people get a closer look at the moves. I had one instructor at spin class that always talked about ‘burning calories /working off cookies and come back after the holiday break (it was around Christmas) without gaining a pound..this is why we are here..I felt like it was really poor taste to say these things because for a lot of people it’s not about weight loss but feeling good and working on strength. I felt so upset by her motivation to get people moving that I never went back to her class….great post Ashley!
Hi Fiona! I know, I know… while a group setting can’t give you the exact benefits of personal training when it comes to form, there’s always a little assistance we can give as instructors from the front of the room even during a more structured Les Mills class. Eye contact can make a huge difference, when an instructor needs to correct someone. Oh and the holiday thing? No thanks. 🙂
Great post! Group fitness is about the only thing I do at the gym so I’ve encountered a lot of these types of instructors. The hard thing is that my gym doesn’t offer a huge variety of classes so I’m kind of stuck with those not-so-great instructors. I feel so bad for the new people who come to this HIT class I’ve been doing & the instructor doesn’t bother to really show them how to do the workouts. Kind of like what Fiona said in her comment too– they usually don’t come back!
That’s not good at all, Megan. And it’s okay if the class isn’t the greatest, as long as the instructor provides a good workout — but having a variety to choose from is ideal. Too bad about your gym! I hope you at least enjoy your workouts. 🙂
These are all good points! I like when instructors correct me on things, but I hate when they constantly correct me on EVERYTHING. It messes up my workout and kind of annoys me to be corrected every 5 seconds when I’m not a newbie to the workout!
I know, Nicole! It’s a big no-no to repeatedly fix someone over and over. Because it can get annoying for sure and make them feel frustrated. If someone is doing something unsafe, that’s different. But small nit-picky changes too frequently can drive people away. I also like to be corrected, but not too much!
Ashley I’ve been working at a gym for a few weeks now and everyone is a beginner. It really made me change the style of my instructing, demoing the move and automatically demoing the modification down and up so that everyone has options from the beginning. And yes it’s so important to introduce yourself and I like to learn peoples names so they can get special love when they are doing something amazing and I happen to be across the room when I see it! This post is fantastic and now I’ll be worried that I “yell” too much -since I like the music to be LOUD! But you are right silence can be golden!
Hi Sam! I’ve also been a Coach at a brand new Orangetheory, where EVERYONE was new and it was definitely not easy to get them all doing the right thing. But it has to happen. Glad you enjoyed this post. And work the levels of your voice, lady hahahah! I’m sure you’re doing great!! Thanks for sharing this one too!
Ugh this is the worst! I have been taking lots of spin classes and I definitely have my favorites and ones that I avoid. I think the biggest class turnoff for me was in a barre fit class – the music was all classic rock the entire time (which is not my favorite) and I just couldn’t get into it. I don’t expect to like every song in a class, but she didn’t mix it up to appeal to lots of genres/tastes so I don’t take her class anymore. I also have a spin teacher I avoid because she’ll scream “Do I need to come down there to make you work harder?” and even though she never does I’m terrified that I’ll get called out even though I’m pushing myself so hard I want to puke. And there’s a big difference between pushing hard and feeling good about it versus being pushed hard due to anxiety over getting called out or noticed 🙁
Ohhhh wow, Kristen! That’s not a good cue for an instructor to use unless they are really close with the participant, of course. And I wouldn’t like an all rock class either. No thanks! 🙂
If any of these things happened I doubt I would be returning. Sad that these things actually happen.
I know, Jill. Instructors that do these things give group fitness a bad name! 🙁
These are great points!
I’ve taken a variety of group fitness classes, and I definitely have my favorite instructors. An introduction is essential, and I like when the instructor walks around to offer corrections (in a kind way…obviously this excludes classes like spin). I like instructors who joke with us and make class fun while still pushing us. I cannot stand instructors who YELL and use cheesy catch phrases all the time. I was recently downtown watching a free outdoor barre class and the instructor was yelling and talking in this sing-songy voice…it was too much! Luckily I could walk away since we were just watching. 😉
That’s why instructors are supposed to ask for feedback from their peers and videotape themselves — I mean, sometimes people may not even know they are being so annoying ahahah! Thanks for chiming in, Catherine! 🙂
One of my biggest pet peeves is when instructors call people out/correct participants in an inappropriate manner. I know of an instructor who will say things like “You, in the red shirt, what are you doing?!” If I came to a class and that instructor called me out, I would talk to the club manager about them and probably never come back! I think sometimes instructors don’t realize how they come across. Thanks for posting this! This is the perfect post for me to check MY instructor ways too. I will definitely be thinking about this during my classes this week!
Oh my gosh, Kristin! That’s AWFUL that an instructor would call people out like that. Not okay. Thanks for saying hi, and I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Happy teaching!
Oh my gosh, YES! I agree with all this 100%! For Les Mills formats, if people would go to the advanced trainings, I think they could get some of this under control. Because those trainers will definitely inform you if you are yelling, not on the beat, or whatever. I first started Les Mills at an amazing club, then moved and assumed all classes/instructors were the same. What an eye opener when I realized they weren’t. That’s why I wanted to become an instructor so bad, because I had seen what Les Mills should be. It drives me crazy when the instructor has bad form (speaking all in LM talk now). Because, if you watch your DVD and educational material every release – you KNOW what is right and wrong. I could write a book about all this. However, I try to be very open minded if I’m attending an instructor’s class I haven’t been to before. Because, I have no idea if they are brand spanking new teaching their first or second class. And, I remember how awful I was when I first started and we all have to start somewhere. I’m glad people didn’t give up on me while I was figuring out how to be a better instructor. 😉 I enjoy instructors who are personable, know their stuff and enjoy doing what they do. I could go on forever on this topic, but I’ll stop now.
Hi Melissa! They set you STRAIGHT in AIM trainings with Les Mills, that’s for sure. But even a new instructor should know how to correct people and introduce the class. I get it that not everyone will be a pro, and I definitely try not to judge people too hardly. Figured you’d enjoy this post, lady! 🙂
OOooo I loved reading this! Happy to get out of it without feeling too guilty. I still consider myself somewhat a new instructor so these were good tips. 🙂
XO
Chloe
Oh yay!! Glad you enjoyed, Chloe!
I dislike when classes are too slow/easy (unless they’re described like that 🙂 I’m nothing special on a yoga mat, but I’d rather modify poses to make them easier than leave feeling like I wasted my time.
Definitely don’t want to feel like your time is wasted!
i really like this, and i’m glad you pointed these out!! my pet peeves are what you said after- when an instructor has a very fake sounding “coaching” voice. also, when they do the whole workout and just give some cues, not even facing the class, and thus they cant give corrections (i’ve even had that in yoga!)
i say, teach how you’d want to take a class! 🙂 someday if i visit maybe i can take one of your bodypump or bodayattack classes 😀
YES! Come to the Bay Area, and I promise to do ONLY the good things as an instructor hehehe 🙂
ahh i will definitely hit you up if i do!! 😀 <3 <3
Thank you for the great post. I totally agree…I’ve taken HIIT class for about 7 months. Until this, I had never taken any classes. Only personal training. Soon after I started, I noticed the instructors just keeps yelling to use heavier and heavier weights without correcting proper forms. Thankfully, my personal trainer already put me in a state I can perform in the correct form but there are so many people who even don’t know how important it is. And if you use heavier weights with wrong forms, you can be their “favorite” clients. I’m getting tired of this unprofessional and fake friendly mood in the class. Now at the class, I do what I need to do to keep myself up and going as a daily routine.
Hi Ashley, I just happened by during a search on Google and saw & read this. Real eye openers here and good tips and reminders for instructors of all experience levels.
I’ve been an instructor for 8 years, working at our local YMCA and also for a private group of 12-16 people who are interested in maintaining their fitness and chose me as their instructor after participating in some of my other classes. I’ve been instructing the private group for 4 years.
I am blessed and honored in that I have managed to keep good participation rates and long-term workout partners in my classes. And after reading what you’ve written here, I’m convinced that its because I realized early on that I’m only a small part of their fitness equation and I regularly tell my people how proud I am of them for taking an interest in their fitness and for working hard and keeping the commitments.
You are right on with this – I’ve seen some of the things you mentioned with fellow instructors and in other classes as a participant. Maybe even been guilty of one or two myself :).
Thank you for bringing this to light – I know that it will certainly help me in my never-ending quest to become a better instructor.
Hi Darrell! Wow! Thanks so much for the nice comment and keep up doing the great work you’re doing with your participants! It’s an important job we have! 🙂
Brand new group fitness instructor here, but I can say from being a participant that DEFINITELY music can be too loud. I once atrended a class while I was a teenager where the music was so loud, you couldn’t hear the instructor. I am pretty sure I went home with temporary hearing damage that night. I didn’t go back.
Hi Jen! Yes — I like to tell people who are sensitive to music to make sure they are NOT under a speaker in the room and consider earplugs — but hopefully it’s never too loud to hurt the eardrums! Sorry you went through that in a class. Congrats on becoming an instructor!
I’m waaaay to late on this but I stumbled on your blog!
I’m a spin instructor and have definitely seen irresponsible and ridiculous gestures from another instructor. As you mentioned, “treating only the regulars, as regulars”. In all my classes, I encourage the regulars to say hi to the newbies. Because as far as I know, they’re there to make friends and meet people and not just to ‘workout’. I even say ‘In my class it’s family, so say hi to the person next to you! Otherwise you’re in the wrong room.’
Another pet peeve that I’ve seen as well is the “no introduction” part. Why?! That makes me think their workouts are all the same and they probably think there’s no need to repeat anything. I speak of the console and the basics and how the ride profile will be like so they know what’s coming.
Thanks for this post! Very very informative! Congrats on being a new mom! Xoxo
Hi Kris! Ohhh the things that bad instructors do hehehe. It almost makes it hard to go to classes when you are always on the look-out for these things, right? Thank you SO much for reading and weighing in. Go off and give a GREAT class intro! hahah!
I’ve had an instructor who played NO music at all, so all I could pay attention to was the old man’/ heavy breathing beside me. Terrible! I never returned. The instructor before that talked about how hung over she was every week and went to change the song after showing us the exercise every time so that she didn’t have to work out with us. The class was also the same week after week. ?
Hi Megan, Both of those are bad things in a class! Sorry you had to experience them!
Yes, for me the music can be too loud. When the amplifier starts clipping and the speakers start distorting it is harmful to the ears. For those classes I tend to wear ear defenders. I can’t tell what the instructor is saying anyway when the sound is so distorted so for me it’s a better solution to try and read their lips, follow their example, and protect my hearing so it will still be good in a few decade’s time.
Hi Greg! I think it’s a great idea of people to wear earplugs when they need it — not everyone loves the loud music — so good looking out for yourself.
Great article! One of the most irritating things (that I have experienced) are instructors who are too into their own dance moves/routine and their cueing is terrible. They are so focused on doing the dance moves, I almost feel like I am watching someone in a dance competition vs them actually teaching. I appreciate their energy and passion for it but I am not here to just watch them dance and how hard they can go at it, I am here to workout 🙂
Hi! hahah! I don’t really take dance classes, so but I think I know what you mean. Definitely want to feel like the instructor is there for you when you are taking a class — not there to be the star dancing in front of everyone! 🙂
Thank you for this! I went to a group step aerobics class and my instructor did three of the five. The worst from my experience was teaching the class as a regular and singling out. The class was very fast-paced and I was struggling to keep up. I was still enjoying my workout, despite being a step behind. But the instructor took all that away when she started yelling at me in front of the whole class, saying she didn’t know why I wasn’t understanding the moves. It felt like everyone was staring at me and that I was the only new person in the whole room. Definitely a very isolating feeling. The class was 90 minutes so it have a break. I left without a word and without putting my equipment away at the break. Maybe some people are motivated by being screamed at…I’m not one of those people. The who experience made me hesitant to go back to a public gym, much less a group class.
Hi Sarah, I am so so so sorry to hear that you went through this. I would hope that this instructor’s behavior is not how other instructors are at your gym — you should give other people a shot — and hope this person was having a terrible instructor day and doesn’t think that behavior is okay. Good of you to leave at the break, no need to be a part of that. I hope you find something you like at the gym, because I’m still a believer in the power of group fitness!
I stumbled across this article after having a horrendous experience at my gym yesterday. I work out regularly and decided to do two classes back to back. The second was a spin class and I wasn’t as fast as the others but I was going for it, sweating and working hard. The instructor came off her bike and corrected my form which was fine but then made a snide comment about it being hard. I told her I’d just done a class. I carried on despite feeling uncomfortable. She came over again screaming at me to go faster and I said I can’t. She then argued. My left knee sometimes gets pressure from an injury years ago so I have to be careful. Rather than back off, she had a go at me. Now, I know I could’ve said about my knee. But even if my knee was fine it was just too much. I was working so hard but being safe and to single me out twice made me feel awful. I got off my bike and ran out and cried in my car. Sounds dramatic but she made me feel so small and embarrassed I panicked. Instructors like her are the reason people are scared to start the gym and group classes.
Hi Ella, WOW! The way this instructed behaved is NOT okay. The only reason an instructor should be so hard on someone is if they personally know that person and personally know their limits. You are always allowed to speak to the gym manager, or ask for an email address of the group fitness manager to leave a comment, if you need to. I’m truly sorry you went through this. I’m sure the instructor thought they were being helpful – but clearly they were misguided. Hope you keep going to the classes you like.
Hi, my issue is our fitness instructor favours the same person constantly. We have to applaud him and she goes on constantly about how great he is and we should all watch him and he’s super smug about it and it’s got to the point where we don’t enjoy the class as much anymore. I want to tell her how her reaction to him and continually praising him and no one else is building huge resentment in the class. What should I do?
Hi Helen! A few options: Do you receive email surveys about the instructor you can provide this feedback on? Or can you ask as the front desk how to get in touch with the instructor via email or how to get in touch with the instructor’s manager via email? I think if you kindly say that you’ve been a loyal participant, love the class, but are starting to feel like there is only one important class attendee getting all the attention form the instructor — you can let the instructor know about their actions in a caring way — my guess is they don’t even realize people notice they are doing it. You could also reach out to the instructor via an Instagram DM and do it that way. As long as you send a friendly message that’s more of showing concern, I think the instructor should change their behavior. I wouldn’t approach the class member, but would go through the instructor instead. I hope this helps — so sorry that’s happening, it doesn’t sound welcoming!