Hey, my fitness friends! Happy Hump Day to ya!
Having a fun week so far? I am indeed – feels good to be back on track with not just my eating and work schedule, but somewhat with my exercise schedule as well.
Last Monday I taught my weekly indoor cycling class at the Y:
Yep, still loving what I do 🙂 Here’s the playlist I used for that ride:
My class loved the music! They thought the workout was challenging, too. It is incredibly rewarding to hear their compliments!
As always, I used Class Builder™ app by Cycling Fusion to get ready and teach the class, and I absolutely LOVE it. If you ever get it – take time to look at their website – this app can do so much more than you can possibly imagine!
You can even e-mail the class profile as a PDF to yourself (or anyone)Â once you’re done building it!!!
Anyway, I was not quite back into my exercise routine last week, but I did manage to squeeze in a cycling class on Saturday morning:
It felt really good to be back in a class as a student and just do what somebody else tells you 🙂
On Memorial Day, one of the gyms I belong to (yeah, I know) was open until 1:00 pm, so I decided to go for a cycling class there. It was a new (to me) instructor, which was really exciting. I’m always up for checking out new instructors so I can learn something new from them!
She was super nice and introduced herself to me before the class. BUT…
You know, I am not a judgmental person. I dislike judgment in all forms and shapes…BUT!
The class started with JUMPS. Really? Right after warm up? Besides, there was at least one new student in the class. I mean, I understand my cycling shoes probably give me away as a non-beginner, but that other lady was completely new to cycling. I actually heard her say that. Unfortunately, nothing was said by the instructor before we started “jumping” about jumps being an advance movement, and how beginners should not do jumps until they get enough training and experience on the bike.
I also witnessed what “too much looking down at your notes” looks and feels like from the student perspective. The instructor made virtually no eye contact with the class. I have to remind myself to not do that in my class. I mean, I actually have to make myself look at people during class because it is scary to take your eyes off of the phone screen with the Class Builder cues and elapsed class/song time on it. Now I actually know how bad it feels for students when the instructor is not making eye contact. Not pleasant. It also makes you feel like your instructor is not confident/skilled enough to take their eyes off of their notes/phone screen. Not good. Noted to self to do more eye contact and less looking down when I teach.
Oh and we stretched with our legs on the handlebars – thankfully, one at a time. Perfect ending! 🙂
I am definitely not going back to that instructor’s class. It wasn’t horrible, but it is not the class you would want to come back to again and again.
I realize that my experience in teaching is very modest, but I am constantly working on my education as an instructor. I know all the most important contraindications by heart. I might still not quite know some things I should do, but I sure know what not to do. My desire to know what NOT to do comes from fear of causing harm to my students, and I think every instructor needs to have that fear at the back of their mind – always.
The class on Monday left me feeling like the instructor couldn’t care less about safety. And that was sad.
Made me feel lucky to have had wonderful teachers!
But anyway – moving on. I have big plans for the coming week – plan on trying a couple new classes and getting my next class profile ready for next Monday.
I will tell you all about it next Wednesday.
Stay fit, boys and girls 🙂
This post has been shared on: Workout Wednesdays Linkup
It has been years since I have done a spin class. I think we are having a studio open in our town {rumor has it} and I am looking forward to giving it another go. 🙂
Lynda@fitnessmomwinecountry recently posted…Wednesday Wonderfulz #4 Race Edition
Oh that’s exciting! I love trying new places and instructors! Even if it is a disappointment, there’s always something new to learn. Hope you decide to try the new studio and share the experience, Lynda!
Unfortunately, poor instructor training is way to common in fitness….it fits in nicely with misinformation and broscience :/ #wowlinkup
Markita @ SweshFit recently posted…Sometimes running a race kind of sucks
That makes me sad…
You have to appreciate your candid critique on the new to you fitness instructor! If anything, it will help you get stronger in your own instructor skills. 🙂 #wowlinkup
Lara @ Uptite Mamas recently posted…Run to Remember Race Recap
Lara, I agree. And God knows I always go to new classes with open mind and open heart.
I taught spin for a few years but never knew about that app. I love it! Now I take other people’s classes but I sometimes miss teaching. It’s a lot harder than people know to put to together a good class with great music. Hope they appreciate you! #wowlinkup
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…My kids favorite Banana Bread
Deborah, I hope so too 🙂 Glad you liked the app – it is a super convenient way of tracking the class progress and cueing.
Wow that is too bad. Instructors are so personal ya know? Welp at least the class wasn’t a total waste – you now know what NOT to do. LOL. #wowlinkup
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club recently posted…Running with Pure Lyft: Product Review
No class is a total waste for me. Thankfully I know how to do my own thing at any class. I do try to follow the instructor’s routine. But if it is unsafe, I’m switching to my own party
You probably wouldn’t like most of the spin classes I have taken. I have only been to a few that ease you into the high intensity moves. What can you do, but modify the class yourself LOL. Visiting from the #wowlinkup
The Frugal Exerciser recently posted…Win A Get In Shape For Summer Puritan’s Pride Gift Pack And Review
Yeah…I understand that it is hard for an instructor to make a class suitable for everybody because the participants change from class to class. But it is the instructor’s job to explain which moves should not be performed by the beginners. Most of the instructors fail to do so, unfortunately.
I ride my stationary bike occasionally but haven’t figured out how to overcome the boredom of starring at the same wall.
becca recently posted…Monday Music Moves Me 6-2-14 #Music
What kind of bike do you have, Becca?