Why is this such a big deal in Zumba/studio classes

I do water aerobics. I get there early, straight to the gossip corner. When class is about to start, I move away fast! I'm there for exercise, not gossip-- that's just a fun extra. Lol

ninerbuff wrote: »

fitnessgal1968 wrote: »

Yeah this has happened at my gym in the group fitness classes. I don't understand it. To me it's not a big deal but these women act like their name is engraved on that spot!

I used to do water fitness as a substitute and people that do water fitness are ADAMANT about their spots. Likely because half the time they really aren't even paying attention to the workout but gabbing up a storm the person next to them.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

🤣🤣🤣

fitnessgal1968 wrote: »

Is this what I have to look forward to??? I'm getting certified for Group Fitness Training. I paid my tuition and had my Orientation class today.

1.) aquafit: gossip corner
People who can’t hear you
Complaints about playlist
Complaints you’re too fast, too slow, too hard, too easy
Looooots of Dad jokes if you’ve got male
Participants (hey, it tends towards an old group)


2.) cardio: people who come late and spend 10 minutes gathering and arranging equipment
People who start putting up equipment 20 minutes early and disrupt the whole class while doing it
People who think cooldown is an invitation to start talking to their friends ad talk over you
People who start out with too-heavy weights, can’t finish a set and either stop and stare pitifully or angrily or out them down and cross their arms
People who throw down weights and plates like they’re hot potatoes at the end of a set
Pissing, moaning, bellyaching
That there will always be someone(s) who think the class is too easy and go off on a tangent and their own thing


All classes. People who register, take up a space and don’t show up. People who don’t register and you don’t get credit for it.

People who don’t wipe their equipment. Put it back in the wrong spot. Don’t put it back at all. Expect you to put it back. Want to stand around and talk 30 minutes after class.


*not an instructor, nor would I ever want to be.

I don’t have any particular insight about this but do want to say that I appreciate the feminist voices present in this discussion and, related to that, consideration of larger context when trying to understand individual behaviour and group dynamics (as opposed to, group X is culturally such-and-such a way).

For myself, I’ve never had an issue with other students. I have disliked classes with instructors who don’t give explicit instructions about what to do but simply say, “Watch me and do what I do.” I also have one eye that’s basically useless, so I do need to position myself so my good eye can see what’s going on.

ninerbuff wrote: »

history_grrrl wrote: »

For myself, I’ve never had an issue with other students. I have disliked classes with instructors who don’t give explicit instructions about what to do but simply say, “Watch me and do what I do.” I also have one eye that’s basically useless, so I do need to position myself so my good eye can see what’s going on.

Many dance classes are that way. Zumba is basically continuos dancing and many who've been there long enough catch onto the choreography, however if you're new at it and not really coordinated to catch up fast, it can be frustrating.
In my kbox class, we do everything in sets, so I show the move, do it half speed, then after about a set go to full speed.

Yes, I’ve experienced the “just watch me” approach in a few yoga classes (many years ago; I’ve had various wonderful instructors since) and with one particular aquatic fitness instructor who probably wasn’t used to a new person showing up even though it was a drop-in class. I switched to a different class because I just could not follow along, especially when she was in the pool.

history_grrrl wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

history_grrrl wrote: »

For myself, I’ve never had an issue with other students. I have disliked classes with instructors who don’t give explicit instructions about what to do but simply say, “Watch me and do what I do.” I also have one eye that’s basically useless, so I do need to position myself so my good eye can see what’s going on.

Many dance classes are that way. Zumba is basically continuos dancing and many who've been there long enough catch onto the choreography, however if you're new at it and not really coordinated to catch up fast, it can be frustrating.
In my kbox class, we do everything in sets, so I show the move, do it half speed, then after about a set go to full speed.

Yes, I’ve experienced the “just watch me” approach in a few yoga classes (many years ago; I’ve had various wonderful instructors since) and with one particular aquatic fitness instructor who probably wasn’t used to a new person showing up even though it was a drop-in class. I switched to a different class because I just could not follow along, especially when she was in the pool.

Oh wow. I’m so sorry you experienced that. Our instructors’ approach is to demonstrate the basic pose, then level 2, then the most advanced version. Everyone is encouraged to try, but also encouraged to master what’ s at their own level. They make a huge effort to make sure all levels are accommodated, that getting into the pose is slowly walked through, and that those wanting more challenge have that as well.

Some instructors even give everyone a “hands on” or “hands off” card so they can choose their level of assistance and if they want hands on adjustment. They are also careful to ask before class who is new, or considers themselves inexperienced.