People showing up late to classes

hollyday11

So I have just really started getting back into my workout routine and today I went to an indoor cycling class. It has always been my favorite class and several years ago I was doing 3-4 of them every week.

But today I experienced someting unusual. Class started at 8:30 and it was about half full. A few people were a few minutes late and I get that...but there were about 10 people who showed up more than 20 minutes after class started. One guy came in with 15 minutes to go. And some of them thought they had to make small talk with the instructor. It seemed disrespectful and distracting. Now I got my workout, so I guess I should not care, but I have NEVER seen so many people just casually roll in late.

For those who go to classes, do you see this often?

aswearingen22

Sometimes. More often I see people leave early. I don't worry about it, I got my own work out in! I just assume they only wanted to attend part of class, or had other life obligations making them late or leave early, no biggie.

alyssamiller77

Can't say I've seen it just as you described. However I'll say that the one part of that which would annoy me is them talking to and therefore distracting the instructor. I'm actually surprised he/she puts up with that. Aside from that if they only make it in for 15 minutes, that's there problem. Making themselves a distraction for everyone else on the other hand should not be tolerated by the instructor or the club.

hatethegame

I think many of those people just wonder in after their workout because they want a little cardio to finish things off.

ninerbuff

It's not an uncommon thing especially for evening classes. Lots of people commute and of course you can't assume that traffic will be the same everyday.
Correct etiquette would be to slide in with a much little distraction as one can and try not to disturb an ongoing class. As an instructor myself, I've had my fair share of late comers.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

chocolatecroissant

Most gyms won't allow people to come in after 5 mins as they miss out on the warm up and gradual build up built into most classes. I just think it's rude and ignorant and, as an ex instructor myself, puts the instructor in a difficult position. I have heard instructors on more than one occasion tell a late comer to take it easy and on their head be it. They never interrupt the class to talk to a late comer.