How To Be A Star Student. 5 Tips

Working out can bring you joy. Helping students achieve that joy is one of the best parts of teaching barre and HIIT classes. Be that as it may, truly, some days teaching fitness classes can be an insane asylum, and different days it tends to be an all-out dungeon—for the students and the instructor. Super-hard exercises aren’t the only things that can lead to torturous class environments. I compiled a list of things that are just plain rude in a fitness class. A “don’t be that jerk” guide, if you will.

1. Checking your phone: Why do some people find it necessary to whip out their phone during a fitness class? On the off chance that a critical call is coming through, I understand. However, I’ve had students pull out their phone to check Instagram or Facebook. It is so insulting to me that those students are more concerned with their social media than the class that is happening.

2. Being exclusively centered around weight, not different kinds of progress or goals: I want to scream when over and over again I have to talk a student down because they are focused on the number on the scale, not how they feel or how they feel in their clothing.

3. Not telling me prior to class about their injuries: Every class, I ask students to tell me about any injuries, pregnancies, or anything else going on with their bodies that might be relevant to what they can do in class. I’m not a mind reader. I don’t just magically know about your body. I’ve had ladies let me know after a class or private session that they’re pregnant. What? Any instructor worth their salt will tailor exercises to you, so speak up early on to get the most effective use of both your time.

4. Not listening to my instructions: It is super annoying when students make up their very own exercises during a group class. Modifications are one thing (but see #3 above and give me a heads up before class so I can help you tailor exercises to your needs!), but doing your own modern dance (this has happened, complete with singing a song that was not playing) when the rest of class is doing very difficult moves is distracting to other students.

5. Talking over me: Class is not the time for talking at any audible volume with your friends. It’s a mentality. You’re either genuine about being in a group class and putting forth a valiant effort, or you’re not. Pay attention—it just takes one hour of resolute assurance to draw out the best in yourself.

I hope this list will help you to be the well-behaved student you can be.

xoxo

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This article was first published on Fixing Fit

Chit Chat

There are lots of ways to be rude in a fitness class, but one of the most annoying situations is a group of chatty people discussing their lives or whispering together as they run on treadmills or lift weights. How about the group of guys who are obvious at class together and each one tries to out “grunt” the other? Even more irritating are the class divas.

There are social “norms” to being in a fitness class. Trying not to throw dirty looks at two people chatting about their fresh laundry or baby bottles, or what about the girl who stops midway between workout sets to send a text? Nothing is as annoying as two people chat about the others in the rooms as they do yoga poses.

Not so long ago a cat fight ensued over, of all things, a spot on the floor. First the talking and whispering was okay, then it escalated to loud talk and then it turned into a cat fight. Two women came to class. One woman took a spot on the floor, and the other attendee whispered, “That’s my place.” A verbal argument started and turned physical. The entire session was ruined for everyone. Rude? Yes and thoughtless. Result? They are not friends anymore. Hope they never come back to class.

Recently while in the gym, exercisers were doing lunges and cardio workouts at full speed, but a group of twenty something’s ran, giggled, and laughed out loud. Were they laughing about the other patrons? Seemed like they were. The talking got louder as the workout class carried on. Now everyone in the room knows about what a “b… so and so boyfriend is,” the “wonderful sex” from another exerciser, and how someone is just not ready to “move in.” Ick. You don’t go to class to vicariously live through someone else.

The social butterfly who uses the gym as get-together time. They spend work out stretches talking to anyone within shouting distance. Choosing you as a talking partner ruins your focus. The cure? Plug in your MP3 player or headphones and zone out. If you put your headphones on, you are signaling you are not in the mood to talk. Mentally check out and hint to others that you are not at class to discuss politics.

The ultimate rude act? The know-it-all person who is a friend of the instructor and corrects all your moves and postures. This happened recently in a yoga class where one of the participants and the yoga instructor were obviously very well acquainted. No attention was paid to the rest of the class unless the “friend” gave her obnoxious advice. The entire time the instructor and his “friend” chatted about their latest dinner date and what they were going to do later. The flirting was obnoxious. One very brave yoga student went up to the instructor, gave him a rude look, and walked out of the class.

Tips for good fitness class etiquette mean staying focused. Leave the technology at the door and restrain from chatting. Fitness class is supposed to be a quiet time. Chatting and joking while in class throws off others’ workouts.