Although I’m not a group fitness instructor in France, I’ve taken enough classes on both sides of the Atlantic in my lifetime to know what an excellent instructor looks like. But I’ve also seen a bunch of things that’ll make you cringe. Whether you work out at studio, community center, luxury gym or anything in between, here are 10 things I hope you never see a group fitness instructor do.
GO!
Bad group fitness instructors
Before I get started, just a note about Oui In France’s content going forward. I’m shifting focus and you can read more about that here.
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I’m a huge fan of group fitness classes and have tried so many types of classes over the years. Group fitness instructors help to motivate you, make working out fun, coach you, provide tips on technique and are there to help you accomplish your fitness goals. A handful of instructors have stood out to me because they were encouraging, great coaches, had so much energy and were masters at their craft. On the flip side, other instructors have been memorable for all the wrong reasons.
But what should a group fitness instructor never do? Here are 10 things which I’ve seen firsthand over the years.
10 Things group fitness instructors should never do:
1. Call someone out in front of the class.
Whether it’s to correct technique, to point out their inability to follow choreography or otherwise make them feel embarrassed, it’s not OK to personally call someone out in front of everyone over the mic. It’s not helpful or funny or cool. Now that said, I understand that safety is paramount and we should all strive to use the proper technique to avoid injury, but at no time should an instructor make you feel stupid in front of everyone. I love when instructors remind us all of the proper technique or to push, but don’t call us out personally. A small form adjustment (Diane, elbow down) is OK, but demeaning comments are never OK. This is different if you’re best buds with the instructor and they know what you’re capable of and your sense of humor. But if I’m not jumping and choose to take the low-impact option, it’s not because I’m lazy. Maybe I’m tired or sore or injured. Compliments are OK though 😉
Easy fix: Turn your mic off and run over to the person individually if there’s a technique error, point out the proper form to the entire class or speak to the person one-on-one after class.
2. Seem like you’d rather be somewhere else.
From being distracted to having zero energy, a group fitness instructor who is bored is the worst. If you’re bored and wish you were somewhere else, where does that leave us? This is one surefire way to ensure I’ll never come back!
Easy fix: Fake it until you make it or get a sub if you’re sick or having a personal issue.
3. Tell me before we even start how hard the class is.
Are you trying to scare us? If we’ve already made the decision to come to class and are there, let us form our own conclusions after the class is over. What’s “hard” is completely subjective depending on a participant’s fitness level so don’t psych us out before we even try! If you tell me the class is going to be hard and I barely break a sweat, I’m going to be disappointed if I was looking for a major sweatfest. So do your thing and let us draw our own conclusions at the end.
Easy fix: Just leave this sentence out of your pre-class motivation.
4. Come to class unprepared.
Listen, I get it. Life happens. We get busy and scatterbrained and over extend ourselves. But when it’s your job to motivate others and teach a class, please come prepared and rehearsed and know your choreography, cueing and transitions. I understand that we all make mistakes here and there and flub a step or forget what comes next — that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about when an instructor comes to class and has nothing prepared for an entire track and decides to wing it (and even says as much!). Your lack of prep shows and it’s not professional.
Easy fix: Get a sub if you’re not prepared!
5. Show us an advanced or high-impact move without a modification.
If I show up to a BODYATTACK class, I know I’m in for a killer workout and know what I’ve gotten myself into but don’t forget to show us the modifications. Not everyone is at the same fitness level or wants to jump all the time. Give us an option to make the move low impact or easier for those of us who want to take it down a notch.
Easy fix: Just show a modification.
6. Tell us 4 reps are left and start counting down when there are really 10+.
I know timing is not always easy but if you’re going to count us down or say we have 4 more reps left, get it right! I may know that I can push myself for 4 counts, but if there are really 10 or more left, there’s no way. Being accurate with the count or remaining reps is really important.
Easy fix: Practice or don’t count us down if you’re not sure.
7. Tell us you’re tired or sick (or any other complaint).
Part of being a group fitness instructor is putting on a little performance. For that hour, you are our sole focus and your energy has a direct impact on how much we enjoy the class and how hard we work. If you tell us ahead of time that you’re not up to the task, it’s killed my motivation, energy level and already disappointed me before we even start. Pull yourself together and fake it if you have to. Maybe the participants aren’t feeling 100% either but they still dragged their butts to your class, so give them what they came for!
Easy fix: If you’re really not up to teaching, get a sub.
8. Ramble on about nothing.
A good story can help distract us from the burn we’re starting to feel, but if it has no tie-in to the task at hand, let us focus on the music or our own dialogue in our heads. I didn’t come to hear about your cat’s latest vet visit or your kid’s latest history test grade.
Easy fix: Zip it if it has nothing to do with the workout!
9. Show up drunk or otherwise impaired.
I kid you not, but one time at a gym that will remain nameless, the step instructor showed up visibly under the influence of alcohol. He managed to get through class just fine but we all smelled the alcohol emanating from his being. Turns out, this guy had just broken up with his boyfriend and was fired immediately after members complained. I don’t think anything else needs to be said here.
Easy fix: Get a sub instead of risking your career and safety!
10. Ignore the people in your class!
This is the biggest offense in my opinion. For many of us, going to a group fitness class takes some planning and even a little courage and is often the highlight we look forward to after a long day at work (or the motivation to get out of bed). So don’t just walk into your class 30 seconds before go time, teach a great class and then run out the minute the cool down is over. Say hi, get to know us and be human! This goes double when the class is at a boutique studio and I’ve paid $30 for the class! But regardless of cost, it is even more motivating when the instructor knows who you are and you feel accountable to someone other than yourself. We’re all in this together.
Easy fix: Come to class a little early and mingle. Tell the class you’re available for any questions and will be around after class as well. We’re more likely to come back.
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Luckily the above types of group fitness instructors have been few and far between — but I’ve experienced them all. For me, they are certainly not the norm in France or in the U.S.
I could not agree more. As an ex aerobic instructor ( I stopped when i moved countries as I did not want to take more exams at my age!) I know how important your own image must be. Keep fit Diane
Yes, as an expat it’s hard to maintain a certification because of the laws. In France, for example, you can’t just get certified in Spinning or Les Mills classes and then teach them. There’s a sports-related diploma required from IRSS and only then, once you have the basics, can you pursue group fitness. I understand the reasoning behind it but it sucks for those of us in France who would love to teach just part-time and not make a career out of fitness. You keep fit, too! 😉
Hahahah hi Diane! Thanks for this list. Obviously, I agree with all of these. I spend a ton of time preparing to teach all of my classes, because I know how important it is for a teacher to know EVERYTHING they are doing that day and do it right. I like to call people out by names, but not to embarrass them, instead to motivate them. I hope you don’t across a lot of these awful traits during the classes you take in France. Not good! Funny to hear all this from a member’s perspective of course.
Oh, I’m sure you’re an awesome, prepared instructor and I’d love to take one of your classes. Next time I’m in San Fran, you can kill me in Body Attack. Deal?
Great list – here’s one to add: Find the right balance between cueing, instruction and silence – don’t talk through the entire class.
Went to a cycling class the morning after the Boston Marathon bombing where the instructor delivered a commentary about the incident throughout the entire class. Her mouth never stopped moving. It was not motivating or encouraging, but instead depressing and annoying. I stuck it out because she was dating the boss and felt that to leave not be in my best interests, but I never went back.
Excellent addition, Nancy. I think learning what works in terms of cueing/talking/silence comes with experience so if that’s the instructor’s only fault, I tend to give them a pass and know they’re working on it. And my gosh commentary after the bombing would have realllllly annoyed me. I think I would have left and I definitely don’t blame you for not going back. I hope members complained. Totally inappropriate. Ugh
add to list: come around with modifications for people that look like they are struggling, and then tell you to put your legs down during crunches because you are pregnant…. but you’re not pregnant… not even close to it…
I remember when you told me about that shortly after it happened. So crazy that an instructor would say that and assume you were pregnant. If I’ve learned anything, it’s to NOT assume anything and unless someone says “I am pregnant,” even if they look 8 mos along, don’t take it as a fact until they confirm it themselves. I’m sorry that happened to you. ;-(
I have also come across instructor who pick out people and talk down on them or demean them in class for no apparent reason other than I think egoistic desire to appear in power. Some Cuss in class too ….so common and you pay to tolerate these sh** behaviour, not professional at all. Some members just want to get in the zone and get a great workout and there you have a instructor doing his/her own drama on stage. Sad but common…On the reverse, there are excellent instructor with a good attitude and personality who leave you feeling more revived and relax after their class!!