by Krista Leopold | Jan 14, 2021 | Best Practices, Instructor Training
Following up on the topic of winging it… reposted from April 9 2013 – John.
What if you could get inside the minds of your students? It's common to hear compliments from your regulars about what you are doing well, but what about the students who come once and decide never to return? Imagine that you are unpacking your gym bag after class. There is a note sitting on top. It says…
Dear Instructor,
I regularly take your Thursday class, which is scheduled to begin at 5:30. Every week, before I can even consider coming to class, I must pack my gym bag on Wednesday night, arrive to work early on Thursday morning, and arrange for someone else to get my kids from school. But that is just half of it. To actually participate, I must also leave work early, fight downtown traffic and get in line before the rest of the people who want to ride too. To say that I put a great deal of effort into being on a bike each Thursday is an understatement.
Last week, you arrived in the studio at 5:33. Class did not begin until 5:41, but it ended promptly at 6:25. In the 44 minutes of riding we fit in, you interrupted or skipped the music 4 times. You changed your mind about what we were doing 3 times. You made 6 excuses and gave 0 apologies.
I could understand if once you ran late or had a mishap with your iPod. But this has happened before. It is becoming evident that you do not care about your class as much as I do. I have to work my butt off just to be there, so I find it upsetting that you don't put any time or thought into planning. I don't think I am asking too much when I say, please do not come to class unprepared. It is frustrating when I have worked so hard to beat traffic, but you arrive late. It is insulting that you are still arranging your playlist during the warm up. And how can this workout be effective when you change the plan (if it can even be called that) whenever a new song comes on?
You should know that you will not be seeing me in your class in the future. I will be contacting management to explain my concerns. I have to show up to my job prepared. Is it too much for you to do the same?
Sincerely,
Prepared Patrick
This is an example of a pretty serious student who has particular needs and high expectations of his class. Are his concerns valid? How would you recommend this instructor respond?
Originally posted 2016-09-28 09:54:46.
by Krista Leopold | Oct 11, 2019 | Engage Your Students
Yesterday was devastating. I began to think that after the tragedy at Newtown, our country had finally hit its breaking point. I was pretty sure that violence had won and that more and more of these stories would be told.
Today it seems I was right, and yes, it is true that violence continues. But if the trends I see on Facebook and Twitter and all around me in response to the explosions at the Boston Marathon are any indication, violence has not won.
Hope is making a huge comeback.
At times like these we wonder “what good can come from this?” The only answer is from you and me. There are many reports and examples of folks who refused to let senseless violence have the final say. But you don't have to be in Boston to make a difference.
There is a great quote from the late Fred Rogers making its rounds again, as it did in December. Mr. Rogers says that as a child, he was told that in times of distress he should “Look for the helpers.” It is a beautiful quote and has helped countless people remember that even though hatred tried to destroy, love rushed in to protect. But I personally think that looking for the helpers isn't enough. You and I are in positions of influence. We are leaders. We are called to BE the helpers.
I may not be in Boston today. I'm not a world figure or a solider or in any position to change the whole world. But I do have a sphere of influence in which I can encourage and help hope to flourish. That sphere encompasses my family, my co-workers, my friends, my students and more. As a fitness professional, I have the unique opportunity to nurture my students. I might even be an anchor of normalcy to a participant who is suffering and just wants to keep it together.
What can I do in my classes? I can foster the virtues and values I wish to see more of in the world: respect, dignity, patience, empathy, charity, generosity, integrity. These can grow right along side mental and physical strength in the hands of a caring coach. It can be something as simple as the encouragement to “get strong today so that you can be strong for someone when they need you most.” Even just a hug or a smile or a high-five can be enough to make someone's day.
On a day when the world is hurting, be the helper. Be a healer. It might mean sacrificing a little bit of your own needs to provide for someone else's. Reach out to do something for another human being not because it is your job, but because it is the right thing to do. You have no idea how far one act of kindness can reach. It could go so far as to prevent the next tragedy from occurring. That's what I'm hoping for.
Originally posted 2013-04-16 11:11:19.
by Krista Leopold | Jan 15, 2017 | Big Box Instructor, Engage Your Students
What if you could get inside the minds of your students? It’s common to hear compliments from your regulars about what you are doing well, but what about the students who come once and decide never to return? So far, we have explored the importance of preparation, and welcoming every student. This week, we'll consider the need for tact and professionalism, even when the complaint is valid.
Imagine that you are unpacking your gym bag after class. There is a note sitting on top. It says…
Dear Instructor,
Let me start by saying that I am a workout junkie. I have tried every kind of exercise and class there is: running, yoga, Cross Fit, Personal Training, kickboxing to just name a few. And, you know, of all the types of workouts I've tried, indoor cycling here at this club is my all-time favorite. I love it here. The team is fantastic and I enjoy every instructor and every class. Everyone is unique and provides something a little bit different, so I get a well-rounded routine by coming throughout the week. Not many places can offer that.
But I have to ask you a question — do you like it here? I can tell that you are passionate about teaching and cycling. I appreciate that you put a lot of effort into your classes and I'm impressed that you seem quite knowledgeable about riding. But it seems that you can't stand this place. The things I have heard you say about the other instructors and the management here are really unnerving. Sometimes you complain about little stuff that would probably annoy me too, like the fan or the mic being busted. That's not so awful. But it is awful when you speak badly of the other teachers. In fact, I really do not like it when you go off on my favorite instructor. She has so much energy and excitement! I really look forward to her classes and I think your comments are out of line. I understand what you said about jumps and I agree that she does them kind of fast. But don't you think you'd be better off telling her privately what you think is wrong instead of trashing her to your students? That is so unprofessional! And it makes you look really petty to complain that the other instructors teach stuff you don't like. If you are so educated, why don't you just tell them instead of making us feel like jerks for liking their classes? Why would they even be teaching here if they were as terrible as you say they are? Have you even taken one of their classes to know whether this stuff is as bad as you think?
You really are a good instructor and I would hate to see you lose your support by focusing on the wrong stuff. I hope you'll take this as it was meant – to help you see that no one is going to listen to you as long as you are bad-mouthing others, especially if they happen to like the other instructor better. It doesn't matter how smart you are if you are being self-righteous when you do it.
Sincerely,
Diplomatic Debbie
Have you ever been one of the characters in this scenario? Is it ever okay to speak negatively about your employer or another instructor to your students? If you were the director at this club and learned of this situation, would you have anything to say to the instructor or the student?
by Krista Leopold | Jan 14, 2017 | Engage Your Students, Instructor Training
What if you could get inside the minds of your students? It’s common to hear compliments from your regulars about what you are doing well, but what about the students who come once and decide never to return? Last week, we explored the importance of preparation, which opened up a great discussion about our responsibilities and how much is too much to expect of the instructor. This week, we'll examine a different type of rider and a different type of issue.
Imagine that you are unpacking your gym bag after class. There is a note sitting on top. It says…
Dear Cycle Instructor,
Hi. My name is Emily. I came to your class last week – the one where you played that great Rihanna remix and had us do those really hard intervals. My legs are still shaky that class was so hard! I'd never done any kind of cycling before. It was cool. I loved your music and I thought class was fun. But, I dunno, I just really felt left out of the whole thing. Do I have to come more times before I feel like I belong? I guess I was sitting kind of towards the back, but that was because I didn't want anyone to watch me make a fool of myself. Was I so far in the corner you couldn't see me or something? You gave shout outs to everybody in the front row. They are probably your friends. Plus, you didn't even know my name, so I guess you couldn't. At one point you came over and gave a high-five to that kind-of heavy lady. She was doing a good job – it was cool that you cheered her on. I think that would have been great to get a high five from you. I mean, you are really motivating and everyone likes your class. I can see why they do. You are intimidating, but in a good way, especially when you said you were watching the athletes to be sure they don't cheat. I'm no athlete, that's for sure. Maybe that is why you skipped over me? I promise I was doing the best I could. I just really had no idea what I was doing.
So, I'm not sure whether or not I will come back. I'll probably give it another try, because it was fun. If I do, though, it would be so great if you could, you know, say hello or something. I mean, not anything huge or anything. You don't even have to like be my friend or whatever, I mean obviously we aren't friends yet, but just, I guess a little acknowledgement would be good. Just a “hey” or whatever. I guess what I am asking is, could you please help me feel welcome?
Thanks for considering,
Invisible Emily
How would you respond to Emily? What advice do you have for this instructor?
by Krista Leopold | Jan 12, 2017 | Engage Your Students
What if you could get inside the minds of your students? Wouldn't it be nice to receive a little feedback now and again?
Imagine that you are unpacking your gym bag after class. There is a note sitting on top. It says…
Dear Instructor,
Thank you. I appreciate what you did in class yesterday when those two women would not stop chatting. You tried your best. Please don't feel badly that they left. Those of us who stayed weren't sorry at all. I personally think you gave them more than enough chances to get with the program (maybe even too many). They either didn't realize or didn't care that all of your calls for quiet were directed at them. Short of getting off the bike and going right up to them, I'm not sure how you could have been clearer. I mean really. Four separate requests, each one a little more direct than the previous? They were just rude. Maybe you should have started with the comment that finally got them to leave. I believe you said something like, “This is not the place for conversation. If you must talk to each other, please do it outside the room.” That was great. You should use that first next time so we don't have to endure the pain of watching them disrespect you while we have to listen to their yammering. I know that it threw off your composure when they actually walked out, but please don't feel bad!! We don't.
See you next week!
Happy Helen
Having riders who do not respect the need for conversations to end when class begins is a frustration nearly all of us have faced at one point or another. There are numbers of creative ways that we as instructors can get the quiet we want from our students. There are also tactics that will cause more damage than good. What have your experiences been with talkers and how have you handled them? Did it always turn out well?
