@class instructors - Does this bother you?

jlahorn
jlahorn Posts: 377 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been taking classes off and on for years - step, zumba, yoga, bodypump, whatever. Instructor intensity is all over the map, especially in pure cardio classes. Some go all out, and some sort of coast on autopilot (I imagine if you're teaching more than 2 or 3 classes a week, it's hard to keep the intensity up).

My question - does it bother you when attendees ratchet up the intensity beyond what you're doing? If they jump higher, move farther, squat lower?

I've seen other gym-goers complain that this seems like showing off, but for me since I'm relatively fit (and I've been taking some variation of these classes for so long), it just takes more work to keep my heart rate up and get a decent workout in. So, I can deal with my classmates thinking I'm a spaz, but I would hate to think that I'm annoying the instructors :)

What say you?

Replies

  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Not at all. Any good instructor should/will tell you/the class that you can modify the moves to suit your needs. All of the Zumba instructors I've had (5 in total) have said such, as well as, follow your body. If she's doing one thing but your body wants to go another, just do it.

    You can't always be the mirror image of the instructor.
  • just_Jennie1
    just_Jennie1 Posts: 1,233
    Nope.

    I was always the one who did the high intensity version of the exercise and was used as an example by the instructor for what the high intensity version looked like. It doesn't matter what other people think. You do what YOU feel is right for YOU.
  • knra_grl
    knra_grl Posts: 1,566 Member
    Sounds like they are jealous they can't do as well as you are - I don't think the instructors care they teach a lot so they probably get bored with the same routine day after day after day and so on and so on and so on!

    Worry about yourself - you pay to attend the classes so you should get what you want out of it.
  • berlinberlinveg
    berlinberlinveg Posts: 7 Member
    I often take bodycombat, but since it's a very easy exercise for me now, I always do the "high intensity" version. They usually start with the easier one and then move on to the higher intensity one, and I do the latter the whole time.
    I don't go to the gym to waste my time, and even with the higher intensity version it's still the class I take when I feel like something that doesn't make me exhausted, lol. Or if I take another class right after, I still have the energy for that.

    I hope I can ask something relating to this as well, if it's OK?
    What do other people do if you feel like something is a total waste of time?
    I unfortunately feel this in the cool down/stretch part of nearly every les mills program. Since I like les mills classes otherwise and attend them often this bothers me mere and more.
    Personally I feel like the last track is just some fancy arm movements etc. and more choreography that's supposed to look good, than proper cool down/stretch.
    I definitely don't leave! (in my old gym people were kind of rude and disturbed the class a lot, here they only leave if absolutely necessary, which is nice).
    But the last time I did some of the moves in the program and then my own stretches. I wonder if I should do that more often. I don't stand up front or in the middle.

    Sometimes I also don't do something in the class. The last time I did a specific move with my arm my elbow hurt for a week after, so I stopped doing that move, but still participate with the leg moves.
    Or if we have to stand on the knee since my knees don't like that. Way too often I end up doing it anyway since I feel like I'm supposed to follow the class, or if the move is not as good standing. It has given me good arm muscles though, since I don't/can't/shouldn't do push ups standing on knees ;)
  • ME0172
    ME0172 Posts: 200
    No. In fact I encourage it. It's your workout. I often teach to the lowest common denominator... meaning to the least fit person in the room or to the newbie. If you're more in shape and have experience with fitness classes then you already know how to ratchet up your workout to make it more intense. New people need to focus on safety and form since they have less muscle memory so I teach to them. If you're able to do high intensity moves go for it and have fun!

    When I take other classes I actually get annoyed at instructors that do nothing but high intensity moves when there is someone in the room that obviously needs help... can't keep up, stumbles on the step, or keeps getting lost in the routine. Unless the class is advertised for advanced class attendees then instructors should be paying attention to what they class is doing and not just using it as their own workout. I'll show the high intensity move, then go back to regular move. Like I said, experienced attendees know how to pump up their workout. I want to make sure newbies are being safe. I would encourage you to do whatever you need to do for your own level of a workout in class. On the flip side if the instructor is teaching at a very high intensity level you should also feel free to do lower intensity if you need to catch your breath.
  • marypatmccue
    marypatmccue Posts: 521 Member
    As an instructor -- I can tell you that it is VERY DIFFICULT to do the intense moves, AND to be able to talk/teach the class. I show the different modifications and levels and I do what feels right at the time. If there is someone who can squat a heavier weight, or kick higher than me... more power to them. It's not annoying at all.

Categories