Spin instructor touched resistance

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Replies

  • icrushit
    icrushit Posts: 773 Member
    If all you did was swat her hand away, I actually see this as a form of bullying on her part, and unfortunately an all too common sort these days where the bullies weapon of choice is the accusation of bullying. This is just my opinion, and know people tend to have charged opinions when it comes to situations like these, but the way I would look at it would be - would this have been a reasonable turn of events if it had been a female gym member that had swatted away the instructors hand ? I think the instructors reaction was both over the top and unprofessional, and can only wonder how many other gym members have found themselves recommended for membership cancellation..
  • dbanks80
    dbanks80 Posts: 3,685 Member
    Some do if they think you are not working hard enough and if they know you. Meaning you've always taken her class and gotten to know her. I am shocked that she was so pissy though. I'm sure you didnt cold **** her hand or anything! People are so silly!
  • johnnylakis
    johnnylakis Posts: 812 Member
    She pulled me out at the start and said she was "surprised she hadn't hit me back" and had asked for my membership to be revoked. I tried to explain that it was clearly a misunderstanding but was told that she didn't like my attitude and she viewed my general gym demeanour as being a bit of a bully.
    Let me guess, there are no other gyms that want your money?
  • doctorregenerated
    doctorregenerated Posts: 188 Member
    I recommend putting in writing exactly what happened and submitting it to the gym office. They should have your statement on file in case this crazy person decides to take it any further.
  • doctorregenerated
    doctorregenerated Posts: 188 Member
    Also, he was spinning. Probably with lights and music. Not exactly the easiest time to have a conversation. He'd probably have to scream "don't touch that!" Being all charged up and spinning, probably partially out of breath, I'm not surprised that his "Swat" was perceived as a "hit," Its the gym instructor's fault - she put herself in his personal space.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    To be honest, I expected the gym to side with the instructor. She works there, I'm just a client/customer. I did try to apologise but I didn't see why she had to have a go. I felt quite intimidated and like she wasn't listening to what I was saying.
    She's filling in for people all weekend so needless to say, I won't be going to spinning classes this weekend.

    I have actively looked for alternative gyms as well but trying to find close ones that offer regular spinning classes isn't that easy.

    You physically assault someone and then claim that you're the one being intimidated. Alrighty then. I'm sorry that you're being inconvenienced by having to travel further to a different gym where you haven't been asked to apologize for striking someone. The world's really unfair sometimes
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    I'd mention to the gym that instructors should know some people have knee issues and need to be their own judge of what's appropriate. It's insulting to the participant to second guess their decision and it's potentially dangerous.

    A lot of yoga studios will have the instructor ask your permission before manually adjusting your posture. People don't all want hands-on training.
  • ChunkLaFunk
    ChunkLaFunk Posts: 38 Member
    Maybe switch to the cardio kick boxing class?

    Seriously, that instructor has a bad attitude and doesn't like you got one up on her...lol. Being a bit of a bully but you still you got the swat in, not her. What a cry baby, going to management cuz you hit her hand? Come on now. That should have been settled after class with a conversation.

    Go to class and pretend she isn't leading it, hopefully it's a big class. Couple of times and it'll all blow over.

    She's trying to intimidate you. Don't let her do it.
  • SaintGiff
    SaintGiff Posts: 3,679 Member
    That's a tough call. I mean, I'm usually ok with a female fitness instructor touching my knob......
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Also, he was spinning. Probably with lights and music. Not exactly the easiest time to have a conversation. He'd probably have to scream "don't touch that!" Being all charged up and spinning, probably partially out of breath, I'm not surprised that his "Swat" was perceived as a "hit," Its the gym instructor's fault - she put herself in his personal space.

    Wow, with everything all amped up like the way you describe I wonder what the likelihood is that a person would strike another person much harder than they meant to?

    Nah, no chance of that at all. Best to stand your ground and insist that the person you hit had it coming. I totally agree.
  • djbrink21
    djbrink21 Posts: 97 Member
    I love spinning, but don't touch my bike. It's MY ride. An instructor doesn't know what's going on that day and I'll go at the pace and resistance I like.

    IMO she was WAY in the wrong. She also seems to be blowing this way up too. I'd stay out of her class anyway, doesn't sound like someone's class I'd like to be in.
  • MMarvelous
    MMarvelous Posts: 1,067 Member
    If this business has a Facebook or Twitter account I would use social media first. Then go to the BBB if you like. They generally work for me! The instructor and management assumed you were in good enough physical shape to have the instructor attempt to increase your resistance. She SHOULD have asked you if you can go deeper and add more resistance. It is NOT her place to adjust your resistance or speed. If a client is injured b/c an instructor does, is the gym liable? This is probably how I would start my social media dialogue. She needs to know her place which is NOT to adjust anything without the client's approval.
  • x311Tifa
    x311Tifa Posts: 357 Member
    A) Why was it a problem that they touched the dial in the first place? They are the instructor. Let them instruct! B) If you already apologized, this whole thing should just be done. C) I would have discussed it with them after classes (before swatting) and said "hey, in the future, if you see me not working hard enough, can you tell me what to bump it to instead of touching the machine?" I agree with the people saying "use your words."

    HOWEVER!! I would also like to point out that people are stupid and words don't always work. Unfortunately... Tempers and feathers get ruffled too easily nowadays, so everyone just take it down a notch!
  • disneygallagirl
    disneygallagirl Posts: 515 Member
    Maybe switch to the cardio kick boxing class?

    Seriously, that instructor has a bad attitude and doesn't like you got one up on her...lol. Being a bit of a bully but you still you got the swat in, not her. What a cry baby, going to management cuz you hit her hand? Come on now. That should have been settled after class with a conversation.

    Go to class and pretend she isn't leading it, hopefully it's a big class. Couple of times and it'll all blow over.

    She's trying to intimidate you. Don't let her do it.

    +1
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    If this business has a Facebook or Twitter account I would use social media first. Then go to the BBB if you like. They generally work for me! The instructor and management assumed you were in good enough physical shape to have the instructor attempt to increase your resistance. She SHOULD have asked you if you can go deeper and add more resistance. It is NOT her place to adjust your resistance or speed. If a client is injured b/c an instructor does, is the gym liable? This is probably how I would start my social media dialogue. She needs to know her place which is NOT to adjust anything without the client's approval.

    and if none of this works go down to your district attorney's office and ask to press charges. THAT INSTRUCTOR MADE YOU PUNCH HER IN THE FACE AND SHE SHOULDN"T BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH IT
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Are you first person ever this has happened to that you've seen?

    Like you had no idea or forethought that her approaching your bike was something you've seen done to others many times over?

    Or that comments have been made in instructions prior to every class regarding "if I think you are taking it easy I'll make it harder"?

    Just surprised a cheery comment of "I'm already dying here" and turning the knob back wouldn't have been enough.

    My view, if you want a spin bike session of your own levels, you do it on your own.

    If you want a session where a coach is pushing you, then be ready to be pushed. And usually for those that are willing to go beyond verbal challenges, they've commented up front that they will up your resistance if they discern you could be doing more.

    Just seems for her to take the affront she's taking (which is a bit much too frankly), it must be an action she has commonly done.
  • jrodri0105
    jrodri0105 Posts: 91 Member
    The instructor is such a cry baby. The personal space was invaded by the instructor. If the instructor is interfering with her space. She has the right to move her hand away.
  • HouseOfMirth
    HouseOfMirth Posts: 8
    I've never seen her do it before. She's encouraged people, told them to go harder but I've never seen her touch a dial. It was a hot day (I remember she didn't even get on the bike and "coached" verbally all the way through). It was quite late on in the session, I was quite tired.

    Another instructor always prefaces the session with "I will not touch your resistance" and no other instructor ever has.
  • sabified
    sabified Posts: 1,035 Member
    I agree with everyone saying you shouldn't have swatter her (regardless of how hard)- think of it this way, you're upset that she touched the BIKE (which you were just on- frankly, it's not even yours)... yet you touched HER.

    I also agree that she's being a baby and is over reacting. And since her overreaction (and refusal to acknowledge your apology) is clearly affecting your willingness to continue doing business with this company, move on. I would suggest going to the management and telling them that you've spoken to her and apologized for the situation, but she's is not accepting your apology and is making it uncomfortable for you to continue working out there. Try to get a refund, at least for the portion of the month/classes you won't be using now. Maybe they'll do something to try to keep you and maybe they won't- but at least try.

    You may need to go somewhere further or start doing a different workout, but doing something different is better than not doing anything at all because you don't want to go to that one place anymore.

    Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    I'd mention to the gym that instructors should know some people have knee issues and need to be their own judge of what's appropriate. It's insulting to the participant to second guess their decision and it's potentially dangerous.

    A lot of yoga studios will have the instructor ask your permission before manually adjusting your posture. People don't all want hands-on training.

    I agree with this. I've taken a lot of cycle classes and have never witness an instructor do this. You should be in charge of your own resistance. I guess I don't think of a swat as hitting the way I'm picturing it. Not sure I woud have apoligized. I need to be comfortable in my gym environment so I would start looking for a new one.

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