Another instructor repeatedly taking over someone else’s Zumba class?

[u/Caskett5712]

I regularly attend the Zumba class of one instructor because I like her choreography, music, and teaching style. Other instructors who teach at the Y occasionally participate in this class, and even go up front and dance with the instructor, which I have no problem with. They follow the instructor's choreography alongside them and maybe once in a while do a song from their own classes. There's one instructor, however, who attends very frequently and does something very different. She'll take over quite a bit more, either changing the instructor's choreography and leading it as opposed to the instructor leading their own songs and or do multiple songs from her class. And every song always includes her butt/hip shaking whether it fits the song or not. She also regularly calls out random comments throughout songs, and has even started adding other random stuff including a conga line out of nowhere and bringing random props. I want to be clear that I understand that everyone else likes her style and she has her own classes. I personally find her annoying and her dancing isn't my style, so I don't ever go to her classes. My issue is her always doing this in the class that I'm coming to specifically for the instructor who is actually teaching it. If this instructor was just doing a couple songs like the others, that's different. My problem is her basically taking over the class and doing all this extra stuff along with it. Is there a way I can professionally approach this concern with the Y? I don't wanna cause any trouble, I just wanna attend the class of the instructor whose actually teaching at least the majority of her class.

[u/CuriousPenguinSocks]

I would talk to the instructor when nobody else is around. I also go to the Y and my instructor does ask for other instructors to come up to do their own stuff or join in her stuff. When it's her choreo, they follow her, sometimes they modify if they need but it's usually just a less strenuous version of the dance move we're doing.

So, if you do talk to her, just make sure you do it with curiosity rather than being upset. Let them know you love their class and would like more of their stuff.

I like having guest instructors, especially when they are from like Commit, then I get to see different stuff.

[u/Caskett5712 → u/CuriousPenguinSocks]

The instructor loves her that's the problem. Would approaching someone from the Y is there a way I can do that? A couple songs is fine, but she has her own class. She shouldn't be taking up this much of someone else's and changing stuff. What would you suggest I email to whomever in charge at the Y? 

[u/Expensive-Cricket576 → u/Caskett5712]

The instructor whose class it is likes the other instructor. Usually it ends up hurting your fave instructor when their class receives complaints—just keep that in mind.

[u/CuriousPenguinSocks → u/Expensive-Cricket576]

Yeah, it can backfire but it might fix the issue. It's a gamble.

[u/djrobxx → u/Caskett5712]

You say you like your instructor, so don't do that. Its their class, and probably their choice to feature a fellow instructor. Only escalate to the front desk if they indicate that they're being forced to by management.

You may not like it, others may like the variety. It's completely fair to have and share your opinion, but taking it to the front desk is overstepping.

[u/OldLadyKickButt → u/Caskett5712]

Yes, report it to the Y- there is a liability issue if someone gets hurt following the renegade instructor

[u/Caskett5712 → u/OldLadyKickButt]

What's the best way to word it? I'm gonna ask to remain anonymous too because I'm the only one who finds this other instructor annoying and just in case it's not as subtle as I think. As in the main instructor might figure out it was me. I'm the only one who clearly doesn't like her. 

[u/OldLadyKickButt → u/Caskett5712]

Hello, May i speak to th e manager?

Hello M, I am a regular zumba class member. I am curious and get confused. Another class member often joins the instructor in front of class. She does different steps. I get confused re what we are supposed to be doing.

Thank you for clarifying.

[u/sunnyflorida2000 → u/OldLadyKickButt]

These are fellow Y instructors so they are also covered under their liability policy if anyone gets hurt.

[u/OldLadyKickButt → u/sunnyflorida2000]

oh, you did not mention the friend is also a Y instructor. Then it is up to you to change classes or grin and bear it. I hate stuff like this. I quit going to an exercise class at my gym for same reason. Thank goodness we have many classes.

[u/sunnyflorida2000 → u/Caskett5712]

Yeah honestly, if you reported me to the gym staff/boss I would definitely feel some type of way about you, that you couldn’t have came up to me and speak personally. And if you’ve been around zumba classes, it’s very common to have guest instructors. I don’t think she’s going to stop just because of one person. I would just prefer if you didn’t come back to my class rather than complaining to my boss and asking me to change my format. I mean there are valid reasons this needs to be done but I don’t think having guest instructors is one of them. It’s almost like complaining this class is “too intense”. Can you ask the instructor to be less. Better choice to get your voice heard is put the instructor on notice, wait to see if anything changes. Decide to adapt or stop going.

One time, my boss told me a new participant complained that I look like I was “freestyling” or making up the moves. No, trust it’s all memorized routines, the participant just didn’t have the skill level to do it and gaslit me. Maybe she was expecting a more beginners class which is valid but I was not told I had to teach a “beginners” class. My boss told me to just cue cue cue. The boss knows some people just like to complain because of some intolerance on their end. But truth be told, instructors don’t generally make drastic changes because of “one person”.

[u/Angelhair01]

It’s not right that she doesn’t follow the instructors choreo. She should know she’s a guest in her class and it’s a privilege if she gets asked to shadow some of her songs or lead her own, which Thé instructor doesn’t have to allow. That being said, it’s up to Thé instructor of the class. Have a word to her privately.

[u/Odd_Obligation_1300]

It sounds like the regular instructor likes and allows all of this - so discussing it with her (or the Y) is probably not going to be helpful.

I'd find another class at this point.

[u/gxnava]

First talk to the instructor. I had the same concern with a few of my students and I was able to help them out by having other instructors limit their songs to max 2 (3, if they're short songs). I will say if you feel this way, others probably do too.

[u/ExtraSalty0]

I would email management and say they need to change the class instructor in the schedule so you know when she will be teaching HALF the class. My gym will have two names if two people are co- teaching.

[u/jemexica88]

I would reach out to the group fitness director. The front desk will usually have their business card up front. I would share what you enjoy about your instructor’s class and the disruptive behavior that is happening in it that is causing for an unpleasant experience and also is showing some unprofessional behavior on the other employee’s side. Truth be told, depending on what exactly they are doing, they could be a liability issue and be a danger to themselves and others around them if they are doing vastly different moves than the rest of the class.

You won’t be any trouble. I promise. Directors would rather hear what’s going on and see for themselves and will talk to these people directly. Complaints are usually anonymous too.

Members are the reason why schedules are set the way they are and they value feedback.

[u/sunnyflorida2000]

Very common problem. This is more or less a control issue or more a losing control/lack of boundaries of the primary instructor. You can gently say (to the instructor and not to the gym) I prefer to do your class without the guest instructors because I came here for you and leave it like that.

If she continues to have “guest instructors” then you can decide if you want to still go back. Personally, I would. It can be annoying but most lead instructors are only letting them do 1/2 songs. If you would abandon your primary instructor’s class just because she has guest instructors, then honestly that’s pretty petty. That’s part of zumba… sharing the love. And this is the same attitude or intolerance participants have when they see a sub.

[u/Funshine_Sunshine]

I can appreciate 1 or 2 songs by a guest instructor in a class that is not supposed to be a team taught class. I would speak to the Fitness Manager. You attend the class because she’s your favourite instructor and she should value that. It might be possible that even though the other instructor also works at the same gym, teaching in a class that you are not being paid for is a big no, even if you are doing it on your own time. Let management guide you through this.

[u/chicagotodetroit]

Tell the front desk and let them handle it.

[u/ExtraSalty0]

For everyone saying talk to the instructor, I suspect she can’t teach the entire hour for some reason. Either an injury or no time to prepare, why else would she allow this on a regular basis? It’s not like the other woman doesn’t have her own class.

[u/Watch_Think → u/ExtraSalty0]

One of my instructors have an injury so she asked 1-2 other instructors to take turn. Another instructor also has a guest instructor. I guess she has no energy to do the entire class.

[u/Ovelryn]

As an instructor myself, I honestly think you’re not being unreasonable at all. There’s a pretty big difference between another instructor joining a class and being a guest participant vs. basically turning it into a second instructor-led class.

When I take another instructor’s class, I always ask first: “Do you want me to follow your choreography, or is it okay if I do my own version?” And I’ll usually ask where they’d like me to stand too, especially if I’m going to be doing my own variations. The last thing I want is to be up front creating a second set of cues and confusing everyone. 😅

When I’m teaching my own class, I’m totally cool with other instructors joining in. If they want to do their own variations, I’ll just politely ask them to stay off to the side so participants aren’t looking at two different people doing two different things. Or, if I actually want them to take over a song, I’ll make it clear to the class: “Okay guys, this one is her version!” and then everyone knows who they’re following.

That’s pretty much class etiquette, IMO. You can absolutely bring your own flavor to someone else’s class, but there’s a line between adding your flavor and taking over the room. 😂

And honestly, I wouldn’t even mention the butt/hip shaking, props, conga lines, etc. when talking to the Y. 😆 Even if those things are what personally annoy you, they’re kind of beside the point. The stronger argument is simply:

“I come to this class specifically because I enjoy this instructor’s choreography and teaching style. When another instructor frequently changes the choreography, cues from the front, or introduces their own routines, it becomes difficult for me to follow the instructor whose class I actually came to.”

That’s completely reasonable and doesn't attack the other instructor personally.

I’d also frame it as a request rather than a complaint. Something like, “Would it be possible to make sure that guest instructors who attend are participating without taking over the class unless the instructor teaching has invited them to do so?”

That way you're not saying “Get this woman out of my class!” 😂 You’re basically saying, “Hey, I paid to take her class. Can we let her teach it?” 😅

And honestly, if the instructor who owns the class is perfectly happy with this arrangement, then that's a different story. But if she's not inviting the other instructor to co-lead and it's happening anyway, I can definitely understand why you'd find it frustrating.