Bad BodyPump class today

Pucks_and_Balls

I've had kind of a tough week overall, as I've been bogged down at work and my schedule's been changing a lot to cover for people who are on vacation etc., so I was really looking forward to heading to BodyPump. I knew there would be a sub, as my normal (and favorite!) teacher is on vacation, but on Facebook this morning, the gym said we'd have a co-teacher, but I figured that was OK since I still like the workout so why not go anyway?

Unfortunately, the co-teachers decided to really mix things up, and when they said that, I thought oh OK this will be good. Ultimately, though, the class ended up being more than I could handle, as they used some tracks from old releases that I wasn't adjusted to and I felt really worn out. I even had to put down the bar in squats b/c the co-teacher told me I didn't have good form. NO ONE ELSE had to put their bar down and I felt embarrassed and like the rest of the class would be judging me. I took some beginner options on the lunges song as well while everyone else did the advanced version and I just felt way out of my league, which I don't feel like when my favorite teacher is leading. (She generally sticks to the current release and changes it very little, so I feel comfortable after a while and more confident.)

What also got me is that the two teachers today had more of a "boot camp" feel. If I tried to take a breather for five seconds, they would notice and scream "Don't you dare stop!" or something of the sort. I just felt so out of shape and weak by the end of class that I'm so turned off to ever going back, especially since my preferred instructor is moving her class time for a couple months. Before today, I had done BodyPump for about 6-8 months, so it's not like this was my first class ever. But the teachers were really making me feel bad because I was off form and trying to catch my breath. I realize maybe they were just trying to help and it's possible I don't respond well to yelling and boot camp tactics, but I felt rattled by the time the hour was up. I almost don't want to go back unless my preferred instructor gets a better time again after August is over. She is very encouraging and doesn't yell at people who need to breathe or take an easier option.

Although my ticker doesn't indicate it b/c I had one account at MFP and quit for a while, I've lost almost 20 pounds, but there are some days I feel so weak and not on the level of others in my group fitness classes. I got through the 30 Day Shred recently, but even with that, there were some days I had to follow Anita (who does modifications for those of you who have never done 30DS) because I couldn't do advanced-level mountain climbers or do every push-up on my toes. I would try a few of them, but usually my body would give out. On my last MFP account, I had someone accuse me of not working hard enough b/c I said I have trouble with plyometrics and other advanced exercises. It makes me feel bad.

I'm not going to quit by any means. With almost 20 pounds gone, it would be crazy to stop now and put all that back on. I just feel ashamed that I'm not as fit as I could be and that advanced workouts can still be too much of a challenge. I'm doing Piloxing now once a week and have come to like that. The instructor is very sweet and the workout is easy to follow, and I still feel worked but not like I've killed myself or anything. I'm considering using the time my favorite BP instructor is off to focus on some other workouts and even not do as much group fitness because I just feel so down that I'm not as strong as other Pumpers.

I'm mostly just venting, but I'm not sure if anyone else has found themselves in the same boat or had a rough class, a teacher they didn't click with, etc. But...I will go back to the gym tomorrow and do another Les Mills class, BodyVive, which is lower impact and has an instructor who is not quite so shrieky. So I'm still in it...just having a bad day!

47Jacqueline

I had a problem in body pump tonight, too. I went to a new class because I'm going out of town tomorrow and won't be able to go to my regular friday body ump. They'r introducing Body Pump 90 this week, also, and I went yesterday and it was grea! My muscles were all quivering. This instructor was not very good. I did go a bit liter on the weights because I didn't have a day between the two classes, but not that light. She skipped over a bunch of lifts and totally cut out the stretch at the end. Also, she totally didn't engage with the class, which as I am studying group fitness instruction is not kosher. Yesterday I walked out feeling wrung out, but today, I hardly broke a sweat. Also, she didn't give people enough time to change their weights on the bar.

Good thing I don't have to do that again. ;-)

bdenitto

I have walked out of classes where I did not like the instruction. I love my regular BodyPump teacher, but she has had some questionable subs. If there is time, I let a sub know that I have a bad lower back and knees. I ask that they include modifications. The classes are suppose to be challenging but fun!