Advice for instructing a rude class....

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pixie9

Cathlete
Hello all,
I know I've complained about some of my classes to ya'll before but looking back, they were all perfect angels compared to the class I have to teach tonight. Come to think of it, most classes I teach are really great and fun to teach. Now, on to the subject of the meanies}( ....

2 weeks ago, I subbed a step class at the gym where I work. Now mind you, step is my favorite class to teach and I take time to come up with new routines each week for my regular classes(afterall, Cathe is my inspiration!!) The class I subbed for has an instructor who teaches the same routine every week. I'm not judging that, I just do things differently.

Soooo, I started the class and after awhile, noticed some EVIL stares coming my direction. I also noticed a large group of people STANDING around talking and laughing loudly to eachother. It wouldn't have been so bad, but they were so loud I couldn't hear the music and I kept losing the beat(which is a MAJOR problem when teaching step). It was also very distracting to those who were actually trying to learn the routine.

These people are used to very low intensity stuff and I'm more into the high intensity stuff, BUT I do tell them before and during the class to take breaks as needed, etc. This class got to me and I ended up making some mistakes as a result. I noticed that when I did mess up, people either made rude noises or laughed or both. It sucked because I thought I'd gotten so much better at dealing with negativity (see my earlier posts about rude classes). I've worked hard at trying to stay positive and to focus on the positive people in my classes. I have to admit, I left that class feeling VERY angry and SOOO not positive!!

After discussing what happened to our boss, she laughed and said that other people refuse to sub for her(including herself) because her class is so rude to them. So, I agreed to teach again tonight, partly because I like the instructor and don't want to put her out when I can help, and partly because I'm curious about how I will be received by them. I'm also curious to see if I can remain positive as well.

So ladies, what do you think I should do with them tonight? Should I ease up, give them something easy (barely a workout is what they REALLY want), or do my usual fast paced stuff and stick it to them(in a nice,intense way of course}( )? I should add that a small handful of them came up to me afterwards and said they LOVED the class so it wouldn't be entirely mean would it?? What would you do????

Carolyn
 
Give em both barrels and make them with that they had never laughed at you the other night! LOL! Just kiddding. I think that this time if they stop following you and talking loudly I would ask the people that are being loud to please leave because it's very distracting to the others that are trying to learn the fun routine that you have planned. Maybe even say that you would like them to stay and try it out, but standing around talking is very distracting and can be done outside of class. Be very gentle, but get your point accross. You shouldn't feel bullied from your class.

Kathy
 
I would do your usual pace. I would also make a point to tell the ones who were talking and laughing that it's not acceptable to disrupt the class and your teaching. If they need a break, by all means, take one, but stay quiet and join back in when they can.

To be honest, I'm not sure how you didn't just deck them all}(
 
No real answers for you, but just wanted to let you know that you are such a nice person do this.
I would think, that if the class is not used to high intensity and or more complicated step moves, then once you loose them you are not going to get them back. That being said, how about a compromise. Why not do something like a lomax - give them a somewhat easy step routine, then add in a blast - don't make it hard just harder than what they are used to.
If you can get them following along they may like the surprise and make the first blast short and sweet so you don't loose them.

Just a suggestion - good luck and please post how it went.
 
GO FOR IT - do what YOU want to do for class and laugh inside because if they aren't doing the workout they are only hurting themselves. They are probably laughing out of nervousness because they can't handle change. I'd stay with YOUR kind of workout and laugh to yourself that they aren't doing it. I bet there are more people who enjoyed the change. :)

GOOD LUCK!
~Marcia~
 
Carolyn,

I've been there, subbing for instructor who always did same ol same ol and the people never attended anyone else's classes because they can't and won't deal with change.

I would literally walk in and announce "____isn't here today. My name is Melody and my class will be quite different from ____. If you do not feel comfortable with that, it will not hurt my feelings if you leave the class quietly.":)

HTH

PS Do NOT let them belittle and intimidate you. These are just inflexible people.
 
Oh my..I can sooo relate. I have been teaching for 10 years and I have had some classes I wanted to just walk out of the people were so rude. Let's face it you are a sub and you are going to do things different. No two people are the same and if they were it would be boring IMO. I say do your thing and don't let people get to you. I know it is sooo hard to do when they are giving you the evil eye, but who cares. I always tell them "hey I am your sub, your regular teacher will be back, this is my class work at your own pace and have a good time". Then I smile and say to heck with them, I am getting paid for this. If they keep talking loud, I would turn the music up and talk even louder, hey you have the mic right!
I know how easy it is to get off beat and yes how much of a headache that is when that happens. I always revert back to knees corner to corner or march on the floor adding a tap switch or a challenge like a blast challenge or of course lunges.

Whatever you decide, just hang in there and do you very best and try to smile and stay positive through it all!

Good luck,
Jana
 
Carol, I really can't believe you agreed to sub for that class again! Good luck this time. Just don't let their rudeness get to you and go ahead and do one of your fun and challenging routines. I've taken your class and I know how much work you put into your routines. Hopefully, some of them will enjoy learning something new and getting a real workout for a change. Good luck!!!!

Amy
 
Kathy used the right word, they are definitely bullying you and that is unacceptable in any circumstance. During your pre-class introduction I would try to address the problem. Maybe even try to speak with some of them with a big smile and ask 'was their a problem last week?' Acknowledge that your class is more complex and intricate than the other instructor's and tell them if you can't keep up with challenge then do basic moves but please be considerate of other participants. Tell them that new and more intricate choreography is great brain work (sounds like they need that for sure!!!) and will mix up their workouts which is good for them too. By subtely suggesting that it's probably something that they are not capable of keeping up with perhaps you might just make it so that they want to prove you wrong. If half of your class is not able to keep up I would definitely ease up on the choreography. It's a very tough spot, some of the worst instructors I have seen have the most loyal following, maybe members like it that they think they are meeting the challenge but too low intensity is really no challenge at all. If people are distracting others in class something must be said but it has to be good natured, stooping to their infintile ways isn't an option. A big smile and a "Hey you Guys, I'm working up here! You got a joke to share tell us all after class!" With their evil laughs and utter disrespect they are trying to feel big by making you feel small, that really is evil and deserves no respect, craaaazy making stuff!!! Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Take Care
Laurie :)
 
I agree to teach the class you like to teach and also with the advice to announce to the class that you are subbing for the regular teacher and will be doing a new routine which is higher intensity.

AND...I would tell them that if any of them prefer to not do the class then would they leave and socialize elsewhere.

As to what you experienced the first time...I would suggest that if that happens again that you should stop the music/workout and ask the people disturbing the class to leave the room. Certainly they would not continue to stand there and be obnoxious while the entire class waits for them to exit.

The only way to deal with immaturity is with discipline. The other people in the class who want to participate have paid their hard earned money as well. It is not fair to them to have to put up with rude people during their exericse time.
 
Ok, so here's the routine I've come up with so far.....

5 mins of fast foot repeater (warm up)
10 mins of plyo jacks... with jump tucks of course;-)
15 mins of explosive lunges (should I add weights??)
15 mins of alternating power 15's
5 mins of plie jacks (cool down)
5 mins of pikes on the ball (stretch)

How does that sound to ya'll? No really, thanks for the responses ladies! You've all made some great points and I think I will make an "announcement" before class. And I like the compromise idea 2squared. I'll see if I can work out a suitable routine for them. Something that pushes them, but doesn't scare them too much. And Shelley, I did want to clock them!! I actually visualized myself walking up to them during class and asking them to leave. Maybe that's why I messed up!! BTW, I loved hearing similar stories from instrutors! Thanks again ladies. I'll let you know how it goes!

PS. Hi Amy! How was Muscle Max today?
 
>Isn't it just ridiculous to have to reprimand a bunch of
>adults as if they were preschoolers?


Amen to that, sister! Carolyn, I can't believe you have to put up with this load of crap! Sometimes I'm embarrassed by the behavior of women.

Michele
 
Candi, I was wondering that exact thing as I was posting. You just know that it would be with great class, authority and humour. I'd love to know 'WWCD'.:)

Take Care
Laurie:)
 
WWCD? LOL. I'm sure she'd have a solution!!! I too am always amazed at how "adults" can behave and how people can be so rude to those who are doing their best and trying to be helpful. It's so hard sometimes but I guess we should just try to keep our chins up and be above that kind of crap.

P.S. Carol, yesterday was muscle max (major chest DOMS), today was body max (super fun-loved it). Don't you keep a copy of the rotations you give me???
 
OMG Laurie,Candi,and Amy!! I've had that phrase "WWCD" in my head ALL DAY!! I honestly couldn't imagine her being anything but positive with her classes. She's my ultimate role model!

Carolyn
 
If they are used to a certain intensity you might want to keep it at the usual pace or slightly above. You are there for their workout.

Changing the choreography is something else, you can't be expected to learn someone else's choreography in one day.

JMHO
 
I agree that it might be easier to lower the intensity level this time, but I know that Carolyn teaches people both the low impact and the high impact version of everything. So maybe the real problem is the choreography? I mean aside from the problem of the class being dominated by a gang of mean lady-bullies.

Amy
 
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