Should Instructor Correct Class

[lph]

I used to love aerobics (well, still do, I just never go to classes anymore), especially the classes led by this one, very fit, very energetic, bouncy woman with terrific dance moves and a great sense of humour. But she'd walk around and SCREEEEAM at us to get us to work harder, and she'd "cheat" on the counting when we were doing say, sit-ups (i.e. "Eight to go! Six! Four! Four! Four! etc.). I'd be going 110 % all the time anyway, and pacing myself carefully to last for those final counts and I swear, at times I just wanted to reach up and smack her

But I digress. I'd prefer being told why doing x is wrong, and then being allowed to choose for myself. Unless I'm doing something harmful, of course, or truly don't notice what I'm doing wrong.

[Crankin]

Well, there are two sides to this issue and it's a sticky point for a lot of instructors. I don't teach spin classes, but I did teach regular aerobics for 10 years. When I went through training, we were taught to do the general correction first to the whole group, but if someone was continually doing something incorrectly we should do a more "personal" correction. I would always ask someone permission to correct them, "Do you mind if I touch you?" or "Do you mind if I show you a way to do this that won't hurt you?" I would do it softly and as inconspicuously as I could as I was circulating around the room. People were used to this.
Now, I am not talking about jumping off the bike and grabbing someone's tension knob! That is awful!! But it is an instructor's job to TEACH and sometimes you have to get off the bike to do this. Instructors are not there for their own workouts and sometimes people forget this. When I go to spin class there are always people who are bouncing and bobbing, in the wrong position, etc. and they are rarely corrected. These are things that I would attempt to correct. On the other hand, there are many classes when I am doing something different from the instructor; I don't do jumps and I don't spin at high cadence with no resistance. Sometimes I do a seated climb when others are standing. But, I am not doing something unsafe... I think that's the difference.
Maybe it's because I was a teacher in real life that I had no trouble doing corrections at the gym!

[han-grrl]

But it is an instructor's job to TEACH and sometimes you have to get off the bike to do this. Instructors are not there for their own workouts and sometimes people forget this

Ditto!

I get into a lot of heated debates on this. It is the instructors job to ensure form is correct. Some people develop bad habits, maybe because the bike isn't set up right, or for what ever reason. I always asked, why they would be riding a certain way, does it feel ok, and CAN i make a suggestion. They can take it or leave it.

[FLRider]

I feel very strong on this point. I have been teaching for ten years about three classes a week. ONLY if a rider is doing something really stupid do I say something during the class to that person directly. Otherwise, it becomes a "general" running comment to the whole group about some corrective posture thing. I have to tell you though . . . ususally the person I am targeting . . . does not get the message.

[Raindrop]

I've been teaching this format since 1997 and after being extremely hard-nosed as a new instructor (regimented form corrections...never varying from what my certifications said), I've come to realise that general instructions work to a certain extent. I try to meet all my participants, which can be difficult when you teach classes that have 34 participants, but I will make a point to talk with some of the people that have very obvious form issues.

The best way, as others have mentioned, is to just suggest that they would feel better, or stronger, or more in-control if they just did "this" (and I make the suggestion). Often, that's all it takes. Still, some participants that I've had for over a decade persist in their bad form. I shrug it off. It works for them...isn't causing them pain and doesn't hold them back in their personal fitness regime (which often means that they use my class as an aerobics class, not a cycling training class). My facilities have hired me to do a fitness class. If it was supposed to be a cycling training class it would be booked as such.


So...even though I'm a cyclist, when I'm doing my classes I know that many of my participants rarely get on a bike. They aren't worried if their toes are pointed down, or if they're even using a pedal stroke that helps them to be more efficient. They want to get a workout and burn calories. I do that and also provide a training arena for the cyclists that take my class. The trick is to do it in such a way that the non-cyclists enjoy the ride. That's the magic.

It's taken me a long time and a few different certifications and a whole lot more education to get me there.

P.S. I'm also a personal trainer that has had to learn what motivates people to get to their individual potential. That has probably been the best tool in my toolbox.

[lovelylibrarian]

Raindrop, you have very valid points. Since I bike outside of class and just use spinning for exercise during the week, I really do look to the instructor for techniques for actual biking.

There was some 4 hour spinning special class on the roof of my gym on a Saturday and I couldn't understand why people would take this class rather than go out and bike in the outdoors. One guy was telling me it's better because of the music and the showers at the gym. I realized we were interested in different things.

I chatted with a friendly instructor yesterday and she told me that she only corrects someone if they are doing something that may injure themselves. I can understand that.

Basically, I can only control my own actions and I'll listen to the suggestions from the instructor and try to improve my biking position, etc.

I've really appreciated the opinions from everyone here.

[KerryCrow]

Just my experience on spinning...my favorite instructors are the ones that teach part of the class off the bike. They will walk around and make suggestions or encouragements to the group in general and people specific...I think it is the way you do it. The thing I DO hate is if they change my tension without asking....NOT ACCEPTABLE. But checking cadence, form etc is great. Just a quiet "good job" when you are working really hard is nice.

I have found the instructors who don't get off the bike seem to be more interested in making the class their own workout and the class is along for the ride so to speak.

Not saying that any intructors on this thread are like that, just the ones at my gym, a couple of them in particular.....