unsafe execsices

[jdale]

<center><font size="1" color="#ff0000">LAST EDITED ON Mar-24-00 AT 10:07PM (EST)</font></center>

Hi Cathe. This is the first time posting to the forum, althought I have been reading it for quite some time. I love your videos and have been working out with you for about five years now. Anyway, to get back to the reason why I'm posting. I live in a really small town with only one health club. Once in a while I attend a kickboxing class that is taught by a friend of mine. Recently she has incorporated weight training into her routines. My problem with this is I feel that she is doing moves that are really unsafe. Since I have been exercising for several years I realize that these exercises are unsafe so I either modify or don't do them at all. My concern is for the other people in the class who may not realize that these exercises can hurt them. I've had friends come up to me the next day and tell me that they hurt their back in class. She also does ab routines that aren't safe, for example she'll have us straighten both legs and raise and lower them both at the same time. I don't know about anyone else but that kills my back. Also, when we're working obliques she has as take our elbows all the way to our opposite knee and go back and forth like this really fast. Anyway I don't know what to do. I enjoy her class and like I said she's a friend but I don't think she has the certification or the education to be teaching some of these things. Is there anything you might suggest in handling this situation?

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

unsafe exercises

I agree, it is really upsetting when a fitness instructor is a poor role model. A quality certification and education is so important. And the ability to communicate and deliver this knowledge to the students is equally important.

I guess in your situation it boils down to how well you know this instructor as a friend. If you think she can handle constructive criticism then perhaps gently tell her that you have really been getting into fitness lately and therefore doing a lot of research on exercising etc. Share with her some of the things you learned. Also, KINDLY share with her some of the comments members have been making about their backs and tie it in with the latest information that you know is better. Praise her for devoting her time and energy to the members, let her know about all the things you really love about her class, and then tactfully find a way to let her know how much more everyone could benefit from her wonderful talent if she incorporated some of the latest research. Perhaps try motivating her by offering to go to an educational workshop with her thats coming to town.

But if she is more of an aquaintance then a friend, this appraoch will totally backfire. She will probably feel threatened by this approach and get very defensive. If she is more of an aquaintance, I would send an anonomyous letter to the club owner and/or director letting them know of the situation. Tell them of your concerns and ask them if this instructor is currently certified and if she attends educational seminars to stay informed of the lastest research on exercise safety etc. Perhaps a letter of this nature would cause the director to take more notice of this instructor. Hope this helps.