What NOT To Do When Teaching Group Fitness

So last week I was back visiting my parents.  One of the luxuries of staying with my parents is having them watch the boys while I head to the gym. I’ve been to my mom’s gym a few times.  It’s more of a wellness center since it’s connected with a hospital, so it caters to people of all ages. In the group fitness classes, I’ve seen teens working out with their parents to seniors. It has a track, a basketball court, up-to-date equipment, and a large group fitness room with lots of classes.  I’ve always been really impressed with how much the club has and have enjoyed working out there when I’m back visiting.

Why am I telling you all of this?

 

I’m painting a picture for you, so you understand my expectation leveI as I walked in to take an Ultimate Conditioning group fitness class on a Friday morning at 9:15 am. Yes, I realize that I am a group fitness snob. I realize that I have been teaching classes since 1998. I realize that I’ve not only taught and trained with the best, but continue to be surrounded by the newest classes and best instructors around.  For instance, my colleague here in Santa Monica, Amy Dixon, just won IDEA Group Fitness Instructor of the Year, and I have the opportunity to take class from her on a weekly basis.  So there’s that . . . I am a spoiled group fitness teacher and participant.

All that said, I’ve taken classes from some really green instructors. I’ve taken classes form some straight up horrible instructors, and I’ve taken classes with super boring choreography. I rarely ever leave a class because I too have been all of those things at one point in time.  I think the only time I have (before now) actually left a class was when I was pregnant – usually during the core section of the class when too many crunches are going on and I’m sick of modifying everything. LOL

So what happened on this Friday in Downers Grove?  Well, you’ll have to watch my video. I’m posting this not because I want to sound like some diva fitness fanatic, but rather I’m hoping group fitness instructors and group fitness attendees will watch and be reminded that there are certain things that you should not do in class – ever.  They are unsafe, uncomfortable and inconsiderate. Furthermore, if they do occur in a class that you go to or have been to, then you should walk out the door, or at the very least, discuss with the management at your gym.

This is also, in an awkward way, a thank you to the companies I’ve worked for, the instructors I’ve worked with and the students I’ve taught. Thank you for always having the highest of expectations and thank you to my mentors for always giving me honest feedback and constructive criticism, so I never do crazy shit like this.

I’d love to hear from you in either the comment section here or below the video.  Comment on what I have to say or tell me some of the outrageous things you’ve seen in classes you’ve attended.

Thanks for listening and watching.

 

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