When I was heavy and round and decided to loose the extra weight, I started thinking about options. I had some thoughts about going to the gym but because I had no idea what I was doing, I just avoided it. So I said I’m gonna try some classes. After the first month of membership expired, I didn’t renew it.
I tried more then one class but I didn’t feel good in any of them. This is what happens when you don’t feel good in your own body in the first place. So if this is a reality for you, the instructor has the very difficult task to make you love the class and love yourself during the work out, even tough you actually do not want to be there and can’t wait to run back home in your comfort zone.
So, the number 1 question to ask yourself is: Are you not motivated enough or you just didn’t click with the instructor’s way of teaching the class? For me, it was both. I felt fat, heavy and awful and I didn’t like the instructor’s vibes either. Plus, all the classes were practically the same type of exercises under a different name.
In my opinion, an instructor is suppose to be a positive person, full of enthusiasm and very cheerful! There is nothing more ugly then an instructor that yells and get’s too bossy or too tough. This is a very relative subject because 10 people can see the same exact thing, person or situation and perceive it in 10 different ways.
Also, the instructor has to know what they are doing. Unfortunately, I saw a lot of instructors that do not take into consideration the fact that not everybody can do everything so they have the tendency to mistake the people that actually try but can’t do it with the people that can do it but don’t really want to push themselves. You are in that class to get motivated and to be guided into reaching new performances but there is a safety limit which should not be crossed and if the instructor doesn’t see your limit, you should listen to your body and see it yourself. Working out is suppose to make you more healthy or help you maintain your health, not cause constant back, spine, neck, or wrist pains.
I do not like instructors that just work out for themselves and forget about the rest. A good instructor will give necessary instructions so people can workout with correct form. But still, let’s keep in mind that the instructor is NOT your personal trainer. In the group classes, just like in school, the teacher teaches, you listen and learn only if you want to, you are not at a private lesson with your private tutor. I saw instructors correcting the same person 3 times but the person still ignored everything and just carried on with bad form. The class cannot stop if you choose not to pay attention or completely ignore all the instructions.
If you notice that the level of the class is to high for you, that means you overestimated yourself and you need to switch to a class that is more at your level. Start from the beginning, and move to the next level when you are ready, everybody was once a beginner and there isn’t any shame in that. We are told everyday we have to push ourselves but let’s not forget there are some steps to take, a huge leap into the biggest ocean might just kill you if you are just now learning how to swim. Keep you health in mind all the time, that should be your main reason for doing this.
There are some instructors that recommend certain diets, diet pills, fat burners or miracle shakes. As I told you here: http://adaflorea.com/the-last-drop-that-made-my-cup-run-over/ , there aren’t any miraculous shortcuts, they all come with great danger for your health and no long term results so if your instructor tries to sell you shortcuts, that should give you something to think about.
And last but not least, the arrogance and the bigger-than-the-universe ego is a sign that your instructor should either quit his job or learn more about personal development. I saw instructors that actually laugh when some people ( in general, overweight ) could not perform a certain exercise. You should always get modifications during a class BUT keep in mind what I wrote earlier – if the class is a high lever one and you are a beginner, go for one you can actually do.
Let me remind you that you are there because you wanted a change in your life. If you have bad luck and ended up in a class that you really hate, don’t go home and call it a day. Don’t get scared so easily, you are on the right track, just look for a different class, try them all if you have to, you will find something you love and you are going to thank yourself you didn’t quit 😉.
I wish you good health!
Ada Florea
Certified Level 4 Personal Trainer
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