[Placebo]

Okay, so this is not one of my Pump participants, but two of my friends are having real difficulties with one person in their class. Was wondering how to handle it?

His form is appalling (have watched it from outside the GF room) but he does not watch the instructor/s or acknowledge them in any way, shape, or form.

On the odd occasion he does look at them, they have immediately C-R-Ced him to no avail.

He rolls his eyes at them and continues to perform the exercises poorly, almost the the point of potential injury to himself.

Last time my friend tried to 'correct' his form, he mouthed "oh shut the f*** up" to her :shock:

He idolises one particular instructor (who is a SHOCKING instructor with poor form themselves).


Both instructors have spoken to the GFM about him and been told he has a right to come to the class, so basically no back-up from her. What they are concerned about is he doesn't acknowledge correction no matter what they say in the class (and disappears into thin air afterwards), and as far as they're concerned, he's the type of person to sue them if he injures himself.

My advice was to make a 'disclaimer' at the start of the class (if he is there). Something along the lines of "hey everyone, listen up, I'm here to give you a great exercise class and to keep you safe from injury along the way. Please respect my advice, instruction and safety cues during this class, if you don't wish to follow these, please be aware that I absolve my responsibility to you, and will not be liable for any injuries caused to yourself". I know that sounds a bit 'over-the-top' but I actually had to give that speech when I first taught Pump at this particular gym to prevent participants putting weights away in the abs track, and stepping over participants on the floor!

Does anyone (instructor and participant) have any other advice I could pass on to both instructors?

[Turn It Up!]

You can lead a horse to water...

We all have them in our classes. There is nothing you can do. Clearly the participant enjoys the class otherwise he would not be there. It is his work out, let him do it. All you can do is coach and advise, if a participant fails to follow it's their look out.

For insurance purposes, keep teaching a safe classs as I'm sure any diligent instructor would.

If it really gets under your skin, chat to the participant after the class. Try something like:
"Hey, I see you really enjoy the class. Good weights etc.... I saw you had good form in this track. Just watch "this element" though as it could put pressure "here" or cause problems "here" ...try this... and you'll feel it working here. If you like I'll keep an eye out next week and help through it. Cool, see you next week"

[Mel]

As turn it up says, "you can lead a horse to water".

I once had a participant with absolutely horrendous technique while lifting very heavy weights. He was a male, he threw the bar up to be able do a clean and press, in chest presses he used to try and lift about 30kg, but he clearly couldn't.......so he would do 1 single rep, then rest for a few reps (no matter what move we were doing). I used to try and correct him, I spoke to him after the class even..........he agreed with me and thanked me and said "yeah yeah, the other instructor is always saying the same thing too, I must sharpen up my technique". I suggested he lift less weight and work on range of motion, timing and technique.............. the next class he came to - no change AT ALL.

Eventually, I just gave up on him..........he looked like a fool in the class but there was nothing I could do.

[Shane]

IMHO if someone hurts themselves in a class, the question to be asked is not "was the participant following correct technique" but "was the CLASS itself safe and was the instructor providing correct instruction, demonstrating correct technique, providing CRC etc".

You can't make someone listen, you can't change someones technique and you can't change someones attitude, all you can do is make sure you give appropriate cues, CRC and keep the class safe.

From what I understand, the liability issue would only arise if the gym or instructor had somehow not followed their duty of care and provided a safe environment and safe instruction etc.
(eg wet floors, unsafe equipment, participants unable to see/hear instructor, etc, etc)

The participant mouthing "shut the f*ck" up is actually evidence that the safety warnings have been heard and acknowledged. (He can't now say he didn't hear the instructor say "heels down" etc).

I would probably document that somehow to cover myself..... maybe memo to GFM explaning "In pump class on this day, CRC'd member Joe Bloggs and was advised to shut the f*ck up".... at least that way the instructor can say they did everything in their power to address the situation, including advising management.

[Placebo]

Hey thanks guys :-D

I'll pass on the info to both instructors. I think maybe documentation could be a good idea.

I think 99% of participants in group exercise are truely nice people who want a great workout, and are always open for information. Sadly, I think they've got that 1% right there in that one person :shock:

[Turn It Up!]

Forgot to say above re: the "shut up" comment.

If this happened in my class, I'd speak to the gym management / GFM.
Under the T&Cs of our gym membership, each member has the responsibility to follow safety instructions while on the premises. The participant's comments, apart from being totally unacceptable behaviour, just underlines that he has no wish to comply with the gym's rules. Even if the gym does not have such T&Cs, I would suggest to the GFM that the participant's disregard to safety instructions puts you at a liabilty risk and potentially other participants at a safety risk ( e.g. if the offender drops weight when they ultimatly injur themself).

It also compromises the integrity of your classs and tuition as your time is spent more on one person rather than the development of the class. Document your request in writing to the GFM.

[euco09]

I agree that I don't think there is much you can do if you have already tried. If he enjoys the class and keeps coming back maybe you should just let him be. If your complaint does get taken further and he does get kicked out of the class/ gym he may go out and do weights on his own and be even more likely to get an injury (if that's what you are really concerned about). If you have explained that not having correct form can cause injury then I don't see how he could blame you but then again there are some people (too many) who will try and blame someone else for anything even if its obviously their own fault! People like that drive me crazy ](*,)

Or maybe you could just be more upfront and say something like hey the form you have is pretty bad and you would benefit from this class so much more if you listen to what I have to say and follow my instructions. Tell him if he listens to you and corrects his form he will notice the difference and get a lot more out of the class. I have been doing weights in the past a number of times and a trainer has just pretty much said to me what the #@!* are you doing and at first I was a bit offended but very glad in the end that I was told. If he had told me a a nicer more subtle way I may not have corrected my form so quickly or even at all! 8-[

[trancendental]

Placebo, on Oct 24 2009, 03:09 PM, said:

... as far as they're concerned, he's the type of person to sue them if he injures himself.

There should be no concerns here. Presuming this gym is well established, all participants will (or at least should) have signed an agreement that obliges them to follow instructor recommendations.


If a participant receives incorrect cueing and is injured as a result, then they do have grounds for a liability claim. However, if a participant choses to ignore correct cueing then they are taking responsibility for the consequences, and have no grounds to claim.




(P.S: I'm not a legal expert, but the above is standard protocol. If the instructor involved is concerned about legal suits, then they should be able to establish their gym's level of protection from management)