Just last Saturday I taught my regularly scheduled 7:15 am class and my faithful regular 20+ were there. We were all disappointed that it was, again, cold and rainy/snowy on April 30 and that we could not be training outside, but were thankful for our gym membership.
I yelled out my good morning greetings, popped in some pre-class music, checked in with everyone and set about preparing class. Once on my bike, I changed music and engaged the class to start. At this very moment, a class member I did not recognize turned on her i-pod and plugged in her ear buds. Seriously?!?!?!?!?!? I gave her the “instructor hairy eye ball” (you know the look), hoping she would get the clue to remove them, but, alas, she did not. Throughout the entire anaerobic threshold one hour class, she did the exact opposite of my cueing. When we were in the saddle, she was climbing ferociously out of the saddle (and not in spectacular form). When we were climbing out of the saddle, she was pedaling at 120 rpm”™s in the saddle. It was like her ear buds were Bose Quiet Comfort Noise Canceling (me). In fact, every once and awhile, she would remove her ear buds and take a listen and then go back to doing whatever it was she was doing on her own. I continued to give her “the look” to no avail. She was doing her own thing regardless of what the rest of us were up to. Why in the world did she come to a class? (Please keep in mind, this was a far cry from “modifying” due to injury, or a difference in a training schedule!)
Has this ever happened to you? How did you handle it? I would love your feedback on this.
As I multi-tasked (taught, “hairy eye-balled” and assessed the situation), I figured I had a few options:
1. Ignore her and her rudeness
2. Address her in front of the class (assuming I could get her attention through her sound proof ear buds)
3. Talk with her after class
4. Leave it this time, but if I see her in class again, talk with her before class starts and ask her to please be respectful of not only me, but the other 20+ people in the class that are there to work as a group. I will also mention to her that the cycling studio is available for her to use anytime there is not a class in session.
5. Ask another class member to speak with her, using peer pressure.
It”™s fairly obvious I chose #4. I actually wanted to do #3, but she bolted out of class, so I had to default to #4. I will update you if she and her i-pod pop into class again anytime soon and let you know how our conversation goes.
In the meantime, I would appreciate your insight!
Originally posted 2011-05-08 05:00:00.
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This becomes a case of…if she pays a gym membership and does not disrupt the class or is in jeopardy of hurting herself or anyone else, leave well enough alone. Yup. Sometimes our egos get a hold of us and we can’t accept the fact that some members don’t want to hear our music, hear our cues or do what we instruct. How could they not want to? We put in all this work to make it great. But the truth of the matter is there will still be some who want to beat to their own drummer/music. And I say to them, “have fun” and “see ya later”
I to have a member who listens to his own music in the class. I know him outside the gym as our kids are on the same sport teams. He has told my hubby he enjoys my classes and is very challenged by them. He does not like my music choices. (was a DJ in college) I do on occasion tell a little joke about him during class as most of members know him and everyone has a good chuckle and he just keeps on riding on…….. I have asked him for music suggestions and comes up with Britney Spears, Lady GaGa and Michael Jackson !???
I don’t let people listen to their iPods in class. I turn off the mic, get off my bike, go up to them, and say in a nice way, “I can’t let you listen to that during class.” Most people just say OK and put it away. Occasionally someone will tell me it’s not on anyway (which I have my doubts about, but whatever–if they need ear plugs, they should get ear plugs; or just ask me to turn the volume down a little!). If they ask why they can’t listen to their iPod, I say, “For safety. You have to be able to hear me.”
I feel that it is a matter of respect. I’ve planned this class and am doing my job of presenting the best ride I can. If it’s a matter of musical taste, they can find another instructor whose music they like better, or ride with their iPod when there’s not a class going on.
I feel that if one person is allowed to get away with it, others are going to notice that and soon you may have even more participants with iPods. It’s part of commanding the room. In a mutually respectful way.
Update….She was NOT in class yesterday, so no recurring issue so far. I agree with ALL of you above. Sandra, I understand completely keeping my ego in check. Had she not seemingly done the opposite of what the rest of us were doing and had her form been safe….
Hally, I too, had a member who said my music, “Just didn’t move him”. Well, that’s okay! We have 30 clubs metro wide and 100’s of instructors and classes to choose from, so options abound!
Shari, I couldn’t agree with you more! The mutual respect is not only between instructor/ and the one member, but also with ALL the other members taking the class that want to ride as a group. I really like the term “commanding the room”
Thanks all for your comments!
I too have a member that wears her iPod and sits in the back. It used to bother me but as long as she doesn’t disrupt class, I’ve learned to ignore her. Now that I know that this occurs with others I may be brave enough to say that this topic has come up in our forums and I’d love to get her feedback. One reason I have not confronted anyone is because another instructor did and the member did not take it well. Of course word then spread quickly about the “incident” and unfourtunately made the instructor look bad instead of the rude member!
I confronted…face to face…in a subbing situation no less and the rider left. Problem solved. She came back in later to apologize. Taking a chance, I was off the bike and talking to her before I knew what I was doing. So little respect for me and the class I would rather her gone and not disturb other riders than remain while the class wonders why I did not say anything. After class I explained to the Group Fitness Manager what happened just in case there were any complaints.
There were none.
We have a club rule that you can not listen to your own music during a class. It is posted outside the room (no ipods/cellphones during classes). Seems to take care of the problem. The rule was implemented after we had a few members tune in and tune out to the instructor. We tell members that we have other bikes in the club that they can use and do their own thing.
I too get the occasional Ipod wearer in my classes. It doesn’t Nor shouldn’t bother anyone. “For Safety,” Shari? You can’t be serious. Even if they’re trying to follow your cues to their music, there’s little to no chance that they’re really going to hurt themselves. The bikes in the cycle room are Always built better than on the gym floor, the client wants to be there for the time slot and the power that a large group provides, and they pay their membership fees. Put your power trip away and do your job.
If anyone’s unlucky enough to teach in a gym where the only decent bikes are there in the cycle studio…..locked away and only available during class time….I could see how it’d get difficult to enforce a *no ipod* rule.
My take is…if you’re smart enough to be able to do a self-directed training session and if your music choice is so AbFab that you need some distraction from my lame efforts then I apologise. Even though I didn’t drag you into the cycle studio in order to inflict my sub-optimal efforts on you, I would hate for you to waste your time, so…..the bikes with your name on them are OUT THERE (wherever OUT THERE might be) Really….don’t waste valuable time in my class. REALLY.
For anyone who might be comfortable having a conversation with someone wearing an ipod to drown out their *noise*, I guess ipod use in class might not be a big issue. Me…..I don’t bother to talk much unless I have something to say that’s worth listening to.
It’s all about doing your job effectively…if you think you have one that’s worth doing, that is.
Vivienne
I have a woman who comes into my class occasionally who does this…funny enough, she’ll take her headphones off if she likes the particular song that is playing, and then she’ll put them back on for the next one. Short of getting (and enforcing) a studio policy not to use headphones during classes, I’m not sure what else to do. I’ll try to walk around the class when I give directions, hoping that maybe she’ll recognize that I’m trying to give her important info.
I have the same issue with a very small, but increasing, number of students who think that warm-up, recovery, or even “flat road” means an opportunity to check their e-mail. I wish I were kidding.
Hey Chris? I was simply providing my answer and feelings regarding how I personally handle this situation. Others can do as they wish. Your snide reply and assumption that I’m on a power trip were uncalled for.
Amy,
interesting. i had the same thing happen just last monday. i took over a monday night class for a long time instructor who left the org abruptly and left her following a little confused and frankly po’d. and this member has taken my class in the past – anywho, she did the same thing. i got off the bike (she was to my right in the front row) and motioned for her to take em off please.
meanwhile, EVERYONE is watching this exchange and get this she ignores me. so i leave it till the end and hope she stays after so we can talk. she does, apologizes profusely and proceeds to tell me she is angry about what happened with the other instructor and wanted sooo bad to take my class and when the music wasn’t to her liking she proceeded to shut dowm and put on the ear buds….i said to her, wrong response. not in my class. it’s disrepectful and will not be tolerated.
no ego here. simply there to teach a CLASS. i liken it to the chatter and conversations that sometimes happen during class. it’s a distraction to EVERYONE.
i agree shari 100% – it’s about taking charge of the class i was hired to teach. not power trips. simply being assertive. ain’t nothing wrong with that!
Interesting how attitudes to ipod use should be perceived as an ego trip or power play. I view it a bit like that……but not as coming from my direction.
I think it shows a certain degree of arrogance/extreme self confidence….call it what you will….on behalf of a class member to walk into a group ex. setting and demonstrate that he/she is there to do their own thing and tune the instructor out.
The one thing I’ve noticed fairly consistently is that it’s rarely the regular, athleticically inclined, somewhat competetant members who pull this sort of stunt…..it’ll be the once-in-a-Blue Moon attendees with the beach-cruiser bike set-up who’re as likely to complain that Spinning/IDC “doesn’t work” (in whatever context it’s supposed to work)as they are to complain about your choice of music.
Vivienne
No way I will not accept some one in my class with Ipod or cell never,even if he or she pay $100 for my class it’s disrepectful to my job and my time I spent creating a profile and selecting the music and will not be tolerated in my class ,I’m sure my class is good enough to come to take it if not go with other instructor or doit alone . and not only is disrespectful but also distracting for the others too.A good instructor knows that in a bike you can get hurt badly , come on Chris you don’t take care of your students? I really do. I’m with you Shari 100% we have to set limits and rules.Educate and Inspire.
Indoor cycling does not have the same respect other fitness disciplines have (but should). Much of this is due to how indoor cycling entered the club industry. None of the indoor cycling certifying bodies are accredited (like ACE, NASM, ACSM, NSCA, etc.). A large part of any certification is risk stratification and an expectation that the instructor is responsible for everyone during their classes/sessions.
You are responsible for everyone in your indoor cycling class. You are responsible for providing them with a safe workout, environment and ensuring they perform all activities properly. It is even more critical to have control of your class in large group settings. Anything that disrupts the class (this refers to an individual or the instructor) affects the “group” as a whole. Communication is key. If someone cannot hear you, you can’t communicate with them. This IS an issue of safety and would not be tolerated in any other form of group fitness. When you are teaching, you are placed in a role of responsibility.
Also, a professional instructor ensures that everyone is involved in what is going on. Don’t think for a moment that other people would not be bothered by someone who wears headphones in class. They talk about it after class, in the locker room. That “one” person is not only disrespecting you, but everyone in the entire class who is trying to focus on the workout. In all of the clubs I teach at, you are not even allowed in a group fitness room unless you are participating. One is not allowed to workout in the corner or off to the side. You’re either part of the class or you wait outside until the class is over, then you can use the room – no exceptions.
If your group fitness director is professional and has a backbone, they will back you up 8 days a week, because in a club setting it is all about the member experience – all of the members.
I take the same stance as the airlines “all electronic devices much be placed in the OFF position and stowed.” The airline doesn’t give an explanation or beg. That is the rule. Period. I’ve only had an issue once. I walked up to their bike and signaled for them to remove their headphones. He pulled them out of his ears and said “what?”. I looked him square in the eyes and said “I don’t allow headphones or cellphones in my class”. Then I turned away and continued introducing the class. There was no option and no explanation. He stayed and has come back every since (minus the iPod).
Wow,
How did I miss this post and all the comments.
Amy you really know how to start a discussion.
Bottom line, the person in the front of the room is not only by default the leader but is responsible and accountable for what happens in there. It is why we must be CPR/AED certified. Accredited or not, the instructor certifications are clear about responsibilities. They also teach to defer to club policy.
Ironically, at one club I teach at they seem to care more about arriving to class late than iPod or cell phone use.
good luck all…
Tom,
I would also like to chime in on this one; there are a variety of ways people show disrespect – use of iPods – talking – (so why even bother going anyway?) but this subject also touches on “chatty cathys or chatty chads”. I don’t tolerate chatting in class because it is disrespectful to ALL in the room. If there is chatting going on, most of the time the others are looking to me to see what I will do about it (they’re annoyed). Sometimes the members will turn and GLARE at the talkers and other times a word or two will be exchanged.
This past Tuesday and last Wednesday I had a couple of chatty cathys in the room. I looked directly at the two Chatty Cathys a multitude of times but after thirty seconds of this it was clear that they were not going to stop. I got off my bike and walked up between them, still giving cues and continuing with the class. I didn’t even look directly at them…then I heard
one of them saying, “oh, I think she wants us to stop talking”. I walked away and they stopped.
Sometimes we are lucky and they ‘get it’. Other times we need to be more direct – look them straight in the eyes and
tell them what it is you don’t allow in class.
Amy: See how so many of us have experienced what you did recently? 🙂
CellPhones: Do any of you have people who use their cell phones to “Shazam”?
OK, well how about this. I’ve got a CAT 2 racer that shows up between December and April to train during the rainy season. He goes HARD the entire hour. When I take the intensity back 20% so people can catch their breath He’s powering through. When we’re warming up, he’s CRUSHING the pedals. This is a guy who’s time is valuable and wants every min. to count. Am I supposed to tell the guy to settle down just because it looks weird when everyone else is taking a breather? Of course not. He pays for his membership. If other people are annoyed by it that’s their problem. My job is to put butts on bikes, the numbers slip and I hear about it. If the numbers slip because people are annoyed with other participants and stop showing up, then its an issue. I put four hours every Sunday night into new music and a new workout for the week. I do my BEST to make the class good for everyone. If someone thinks it could be better while they’re rockin to the BeeGee’s with their ear buds, I say let em.
Chris, where do you teach?
Nor Cal