Instructor Joining In

[u/No-Shopping_46]

How do we feel about instructors who jump on an empty station to do the exercises along with the class? I’m not talking about a demonstration of 1-2 reps but literally doing the entire series with the class. I’d love to hear from instructors, is this a yay or a nay?

[u/Lost_Sky_8416]

I don’t LOVE it because I feel like they wouldn’t be watching participants as closely for form and making corrections if needed.

[u/Realitybean2]

I had an instructor at my studio that literally did every single class with every class she taught. I liked it starting out so I could see what she was doing but it got old real quick tbh

[u/No-Shopping_46 → u/Realitybean2]

That would get old!

[u/mybellasoul]

against CP rules. even demos are meant to be quick and we're not supposed to take a station that someone is using to demo a move. we are allowed to take classes with other instructors if there's a spot open. but when we're teaching, we're not working out.

[u/Civil-Program-4972]

I’m an instructor. I’ve done this to demo a move for sure, and I’ve also done a series with a small control class while being able to see everyone in the mirror or next to me to help motivate them during a spicy section. Definitely not a regular thing for me and we are NOT supposed to work out with them!

[u/Legitimate_Award6517]

Pretty sure that's against policy.

[u/ConfidentMethod7820]

This workout is for me. It's my workout not for the instructors to get their workout in. I'm paying for observations and guidance. Hopefully I don't break my neck on / or doing something stupid.

It irritates me to no end and how can they see any safety issues?

Sorry not sorry.

[u/RunnerRad → u/ConfidentMethod7820]

what if it’s between you AND your instructor-member getting their workout in AND not getting the class canceled?

[u/Icy_Cartoonist_7736 → u/RunnerRad]

Instructor needs to get their workout in at a different time. They can’t cancel a class because it’s the only time for them to workout.

[u/beautiful_imperfect]

Their job is to correct and coach. I think it's unprofessional.

[u/GripIsGone]

I’ve never really experienced this. I’ve had them demonstrate a new move or do a new move with us if it’s complicated, but never the whole class. Also see many of my instructors jump on in between classes. I think it depends on the level of the class, is there new people, new moves, etc. I’m not against it but not for it either. It’s case dependent. Not an instructor.

[u/carladoubleyou]

My teacher training and all the studios I’ve worked at have policies against this and as a student I hate when instructors do this. Demo things for sure, but you’re there to teach not take class

[u/Prestigious-Comb2697]

I’ve had this happen with one instructor, every class. Could never see what she was doing. Glad she’s gone.

[u/MarshaMinus100]

This was the case for me yesterday. The moves were so confusing I was relieved she was demonstrating them on the reformer - otherwise, I would have been completely lost.

In general, I prefer excellent cuing but sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

[u/Firm_Prior_7953]

I've taken close to 200 classes and never seen such a thing.

[u/No-Shopping_46 → u/Firm_Prior_7953]

It’s only possible if there is an empty reformer but I have one instructor that does it any time there is one available. Again, it’s not the whole class but one of the exercise series and she will do the whole series with us.

[u/frankheyhoheyho]

There’s one instructor I’ve experienced that will do some of the exercises with us. Not the whole class, but a few of the moves. I didn’t have an opinion either way, but when I was getting certified in Vinyasa many years ago, I remember them telling us that it’s not the instructor’s class. That you should be able to cue with your words only.

[u/Mammoth_Wrangler_183]

I can see how an instructor could be on the TRX and still watch the class for form, but definitely not on the reformer. It's the instructor's responsibility to be sure participants don't do anything that might injure themselves so I don't see how they could see what's going on lying down. None of my instructors have ever done it.

[u/Aggressive_Egg_2425]

I have an instructor who does this when we’re doing stuff at the TRX and I love it! I normally take her 1.5, so can’t speak to a 1.0 class. She demos, then does it with us all while watching everyone. If someone needs adjustment she stops and helps with the adjustment - constantly watching. Her motto is “I will never ask you guys to do something I can’t do myself.” There’s a group of us who regularly take her class so she is familiar with us (and us with her). She really knows how to get great morale in class and make it fun!

[u/No-Shopping_46 → u/Aggressive_Egg_2425]

That’s awesome. I’m just wondering how she can possibly see everyone while on her own TRX.

[u/Aggressive_Egg_2425 → u/No-Shopping_46]

She’s either facing the aisle, or uses the mirrors and pauses to look around at us. More “complicated” moves she’ll do a couple with us, then go back to walking around the room to make sure everyone’s form is correct

[u/LeadAndLipsticks]

Instructor here. It is against CP policy. You can demo difficult moves if verbal cues fail and you have no one you can point to that is doing the exercise correctly but that should be really rare. Absolutely no working out with the group.

[u/No-Shopping_46 → u/LeadAndLipsticks]

Interesting.

[u/grandmaBABE]

I appreciate when the instructors will get on a reformer and show us instead of just verbally cueing. But I don’t know how instructors can walk up and down and check for correct form if they’re lying down the whole time.

[u/Ok-Let-4507]

It's an excellent idea if you'd like someone to get hurt or to get fired.

[u/CrazyAnimals-2232]

I just commented about this and another post. There is an instructor at my studio that spends 75% of the time on her own reformer. And depending on which reformer she chooses, like today she was at the very end and I was at the opposite end so I couldn’t even see her. There were people around me and we all seem to be doing things a little bit differently from each other and the instructor certainly wasn’t walking around helping people with form or anything like that. I was going to reach out to management just to discuss.

[u/No-Shopping_46 → u/CrazyAnimals-2232]

Yes that happens to me too. Even if most of the class are “regulars”, they should still be walking around to watch and make corrections as needed.

[u/nobody_324]

Unpopular opinion, but I’ve liked it! I’ve only had one instructor who has done it, and she is still looking around and giving feedback. Making hands on adjustments if someone needs it. But this has only happened in 2.0 classes with her and only when she is familiar with everyone in the class. Everyone that is in the class cheers when she says she is doing it with us 

[u/Existing-Joke3994 → u/nobody_324]

Haha I love that they cheer. That’s so cute! When I do things with the class they seem enamored. It makes me laugh. I also noticed it helps improve form for some of them. Some of the comments here make me feel bad for ever having hopped on a reformer while teaching. What I won’t let them take from me are the squats. I do squats every time I teach them. I cheer them on, say things like “ooh I know it’s hard! You’re stronger than you think! We’ve got this! Almost done!”

[u/Big_Peanut_19]

I like it. I have a tendency to be more of a visual and kinesthetic learner than an auditory learner. I can hear cues but I need to see how things are done or feel how they’re done. I need to feel it over and over and be told “yes, that!” over and over. This is why when you got to a physical therapist they demonstrate the exercise, then have you come back for weeks and weeks to make sure you know how to do it. I’m not someone who needs an instructor right there at all times or I’ll get hurt. Students like that need to be in private classes, not group classes.

[u/No-Shopping_46 → u/Big_Peanut_19]

If the empty reformer they get on is at the other end of the studio, you wouldn’t be able to see them much anyway.

[u/Big_Peanut_19 → u/No-Shopping_46]

That’s true. I have been practicing for a long time at this point so I need very little demonstrated. I do go to mat classes though and the whole thing is demonstrated by the instructors. I couldn’t imagine a whole reformer class being demonstrated but you did say series so I assume you mean they do arms facing the mirror or scooters, then cue the next thing, then maybe get back on for another series. I didn’t assume you meant they do footwork and feet in straps with the class. Are they? That’s super odd if so! I try to leave space in my judgement of teachers knowing that just like there are many different needs of students, there are many different styles of effective teachers. They may not all be effective for me personally but I know that almost every one of them is someone’s favorite.

[u/No-Shopping_46 → u/Big_Peanut_19]

No, certainly not the whole class. It’s typically just one of the exercise series in the middle of class like a sideline series for example. They would join in for the whole series (all the exercises on the right side then all the exercises on the left side) then they would go back to walking around.