home workouts versus gym classes

[janie1234]

I know this has been discussed before but I thought I'd share my crapy kickboxing experience that I had this morning. So I'm back into the swing of things after a bit of a hiatus and a friend who just joined a gym asked if I would go with her to a kickboxing class. She is new to working out and really nervous about gyms so I told her I'd go. It helped me out since I've been meaning to sign up for a new kickboxing class. Well, this teacher who was ripped and could obviously kill a man with her thumb and had great form was just about as warm and friendly as a dirty old sock. No "Hi!" No "Good morning." Nada nothing. Then I was so surprised that she didn't seem to care that there were new people in the class. I've taken plenty a kickboxing classes in my lifetime. Most moves are very basic but she just had all sorts of moves I never even heard of and she didn't do a very good job of breaking down the moves into combinations. I'm so glad I didn't join this gym and got in on a free pass. I would think a teacher would not want to encourage injury to students and really teach them form esp the newbies. This is a new year and memberships are always high around this time so I know I was not the only new person. This just made me love Cathe all that much more. Why don't they require personality classes for aerobics instructors. I mean they are supposed to motivate not scare.

 

[AYLE09]

I'm lucky in a sense becasue the instructors at my gym are friendly, charismatic and you can tell that they really love what they do. On the flip side, I NEVER go to the classes because the gym doesn't limit the number of people that are allowed to go into each class. The room is so crowded that you can't even do some of the moves without fear of hitting or kicking someone and there isn't enough equipment to go around.

 

[syzygy314]

I hate gyms! I didn't use to be that way, but since I became a certified aerobics instructor (it's been a while since I've taught), I was never able to take anyone else's classes!

I criticized their cuing, their form, their warm-up and stretch (or lack thereof), everything!

The way you describe this instructor, I believe I would have immediately walked out and complained to the management! Thus, I don't ever take group classes anymore!

 

[carres1973]

I just did a Group Kick class this evening. I liked the instructor a lot. She is new to my gym (teaches at another location regularly). I tried a different Kick class and did not click withthe instructor AT ALL! I think the instructor can really make or break a class.

I have noticed with the classes I am taking at this gym (I used to belong to the "Y"), there is a lot less instruction. The first week of a new "session" at the "Y" was devoted to teaching proper form. It got VERY annoying for the regulars. However, after seeing a lady throw her leg around attempting a roundhouse kick today, I think it might be needed!

Carrie

 

[janie1234]

I just did a Group Kick class this evening. I liked the instructor a lot. She is new to my gym (teaches at another location regularly). I tried a different Kick class and did not click withthe instructor AT ALL! I think the instructor can really make or break a class.

I have noticed with the classes I am taking at this gym (I used to belong to the "Y"), there is a lot less instruction. The first week of a new "session" at the "Y" was devoted to teaching proper form. It got VERY annoying for the regulars. However, after seeing a lady throw her leg around attempting a roundhouse kick today, I think it might be needed!

Carrie

I totally agree that an instructor can make or break a class. I also agree that for regulars it can be boring when newbies come. This was why I left the gym life in the first place. I felt that Cathe challenged me way more than the classes I was taking ever could. I would expect that regulars would understand though that the first of the year and right before summer are the busiest times of a gym and that this sorta thing just happens. The woman in front of me gave the irritating sigh of "you are in my spot." I mean how the heck am I supposed to know that? I guess I just feel that with kickboxing form is so important esp if you don't turn your hip just right, . .you can mess up your knees pretty bad. I mean this woman was doing a move called a sun star burst block, . .and I was thinking, . . uhm, . . "What the heck is that?" I also hate when instructors ask you to do crazy hip pelvic sex air humping moves. I mean I'm not in a zumba class or a pole dancing class for that matter. I can step with the best of them but I just get down right embarrassed when the 60 year old next to me looks at me and says, . . "is she serious?"

 

[Autumn68]

I love the idea of a gym, but it's a gamble w/ the instructors...and the men and if they bother you or not...etc. I use to go to a ladies only gym and had a great instructor m-th at 4pm in NY. I went right after work and it was great, and that was before I heard of Cathe, I was doing some Firms at home to do weights, but it was the very beginning of home workouts. It was when I went to the bigger fancier gyms where I got disapointed and found out about Cathe through the Firm's and the rest is history. - autumn...I just really miss spinning class. I wish Cathe would do some dvd's but then I have to buy a bike which is $800 or so. Well, we can't have it all, but I'm happier working out at home, and dh reminds me when I think about doing both how I always had complaints about gyms.

 

[bostonwendy]

I agree with others that it really is all about the instructor. Yes, I am picky. There are certain instructors who are too late or too soft (or too nonexistent) in their cueing. Some of my fellow gym-goers find it annoying when instructors constantly talk about good lifting form. Personally, it doesn't bother me *at all* and I am bothered worse when an instructor has a regular participant with awful/you-could-hurt yourself any second form with a heavy barbell and says *nothing*, not even pulling them aside after class. I guess there needs to be a balance and again, that is really all on the teacher. It's a hard job! There is a particular teacher I avoid for this reason. This same one is not attentive to newbies in my opinion. Luckily at my gym the instructors who teach power all have excellent form -- otherwise I would be running for the door. Cathe taught me too well.

It puts a lot particular on new teachers to have new choreo all the time, or stick with the same routine long enough to satisfy some, or to have choreo that meets the needs of everyone, high and low impact, etc... BTS and Les Mills classes help in my opinion because at least you know what you are getting in regard to choreo. and the instructors have an easy out -- they didnt make it up and don't have to take it personally if you don't like it. If I didnt like BTS choreo or felt the warmups, stretches, etc weren't adequate, I would def need to find another gym.

Bottom line is I totally avoid those instructors that I don't feel are up to par. Others seem to like those instructors just fine. I am a relatively new gym-goer. Maybe in the future I will actually voice my concerns to the management when I feel more comfortable. For now I just avoid.

and ITA with ayle09 about getting kicked in the face in a class. When the room looks too full for kickboxing I go elsewhere. Maybe they should map out the floor space the way they do at some yoga studios!

 

[bostonwendy]

... I also hate when instructors ask you to do crazy hip pelvic sex air humping moves. I mean I'm not in a zumba class or a pole dancing class for that matter. I can step with the best of them but I just get down right embarrassed when the 60 year old next to me looks at me and says, . . "is she serious?"

LOL at the air humping moves! I take cardio dance class once a week and it is super fun choreo with all kinds of others moves many ppl would not be caught dead doing. As a mid-morning gym-goer my peers are mostly other young moms or older folks. I am totally inspired by some of the older folks who take the dance class and they truly boogie down! While the nearly 80-year old woman in front is not doing the hip hop moves "right", she is having a blast, getting a great workout and I love love love watching her! and the same woman lifts heavier than me sometimes in power =)

def would not expect those kinds of moves in step or kickbox, though.

on a totally different note, Janie1234, remember we "chatted" about the rocklin-roseville CA area? my trip is quickly approaching and I am so nervous!

 

[lina9496]

I love group gym classes (only with certain instructors). Having said that, I suspended my gym membership so I could do STS, 2 rounds. Now I'm doing STS/Shock Cardio and I haven't been back to the gym in nearly a year. I miss it, but I'm enjoying this series much more.

 

[Jennifit]

I love group fitness classes. Just have to kiss a few frogs before finding a match sometimes

 

[fit8585]

before i know cathe dvd's i went to the gym classes but now i'm doing cathe's dvd so i practise her dvd at home and when i want...the gym is too expensive for me now..