Do you talk during exercise class?

[clarabelle]

I teach indoor cycling and I am having some issues with talkers.
Do you think you should be allowed to talk during exercise class?
Do you notice when someone else does?

Would you quit coming to class if someone told you to quit talking?

I am trying to decide if this is just me being a control freak or if these people are really distracting to other people too.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Depends on what kind of class it is.

If it is something where constant instruction is coming from the trainer, then I would be expect people to keep talking to a minimum.

I've taken some classes where each segment is about 10 minutes before the instructor changes the pace, or wanted us to do something else. In that case I don't think talking should be prohibited.

Now, no matter the case, if there was some sort of "No talking" rule, I would not take the class. I understand why such a rule would be in place, but I'm 33 and not in school anymore, I don't need rules like that.

 

[SaraJayne]

Depends on what kind of class it is.

If it is something where constant instruction is coming from the trainer, then I would be expect people to keep talking to a minimum.

I've taken some classes where each segment is about 10 minutes before the instructor changes the pace, or wanted us to do something else. In that case I don't think talking should be prohibited.

Now, no matter the case, if there was some sort of "No talking" rule, I would not take the class. I understand why such a rule would be in place, but I'm 33 and not in school anymore, I don't need rules like that.

And yes, I would quit coming to the class if someone told me to stop talking.

 

[DrCavin]

Usually im too winded to talk ;-) If they are disrupting others then I would say something, but I would not institute a no talking rule...

 

[clarabelle]

Maybe I should just suck it up.
These people do act like they are in school. Also they just aren't working that hard

 

[java]

Maybe I should just suck it up.
These people do act like they are in school. Also they just aren't working that hard

I was going to suggest step up the class if they are talking clearly they are not working as hard as they should be.

But I agree- no talking rule is a turn off. You are in charge you can make it more challenging and get a more into it class.

 

[johnsontrio]

I take a Yoga class twice a week and there is no "chatting among yourselves" in that class. I have dropped in on the Pilates class immediately after my yoga class and people have discussions among the group, with the instructor, etc... I don't like it. Most of the time it is ongoing discussion of a previous topic, loud enough for the entire room to hear, so I guess I consider that rude.

I think it depends on the milieu of the facility you are teaching in. If that is the norm, then probably best to leave it alone. If it's the same talkers, week after week, then maybe you can say something private to them after class that you've had some complaints and that you don't want to see your enrollment drop. I know at our Rec Center if enrollment drops, that teacher is out of a class. They try very hard to please the participants so they keep their enrollment up.

Good Luck!

 

[terribm]

I am former Jazzercise instructor. Our fitness center is a very social place. For the most part, the same people come everyday and everyone pretty much knows everyone else. I can understand something like yoga needing quiet but unless other students complain to you that the talking is disruptive and causing them not to get the most out of the class, I would not ask them to stop talking. It is their workout (paying customer) and even if they are not working very hard, they are grown adults that can make that call.

 

[scrapquitler]

I think that if the instructor is not giving instructions, then there is no reason for a 'no talking' rule.

 

[clarabelle]

Thanks
It is plenty hard -they just aren't hearing all my instructions -cause they are talking.
Most of the class is huffing and puffing -and then there are these few that are back there gabbing like they are in starbucks.
I get your point though and I won't say anything.

 

[BunsenH]

OP - Do you have music playing? TURN IT UP!!!

And take the intensity up a notch.

 

[Bethenny]

OP, I'm with you. I hate when people are chatting in class. So what if they're adults? So what if they're paying for it? It's disturbing to the other people in the class. If it was a college class, would you be ok with people chatting and not listening to the prof? If you want to chat while working out go run on the treadmill.

Since it's a spinning class, I would maybe say something along the lines of "I can hear that people aren't working hard enough, let's do some sprints!" That might shut them pretty quickly.

 

[clarabelle]

Thanks Bethany- a kindred spirit

I work hard on preparing the class and picking music ect... I guess I want them to take it as seriously as I do.

You all have convinced me though -I won't say anything.

 

[paintnolish]

OP - Do you have music playing? TURN IT UP!!!

And take the intensity up a notch.

I would be annoyed by the talking and would probably say something to them after class, but I first I would try to make it more difficult for them to talk.

 

[krcit]

I'm going to be the lone wolf on this one and say I don't like when there is someone talking throughout a class. I don't mind an occasional comment to a friend or two but when 2 or more women are yapping and I can't hear the instructor that bothers me. My instructor will say "Ladies please." a few times and if that doesn't work, she will stop and directly address the talkers. Doesn't bother me at all. I know I'm a grown woman and not 'in school' anymore but unfortunately some people do not have common courtesy and need to be reminded. I'm paying for my class and I want to get the most out of it. I f people need to talk throughout their workout then they can work out on the machines and not take a class.

 

[clarabelle]

Thanks everyone

 

[goofy!]

Maybe I should just suck it up.
These people do act like they are in school. Also they just aren't working that hard

Thanks
It is plenty hard -they just aren't hearing all my instructions -cause they are talking.
Most of the class is huffing and puffing -and then there are these few that are back there gabbing like they are in starbucks.
I get your point though and I won't say anything.

Thanks Bethany- a kindred spirit

I work hard on preparing the class and picking music ect... I guess I want them to take it as seriously as I do.

You all have convinced me though -I won't say anything.

If they are in the back and not bothering everybody else, then I would just ignore them.

I am sure it is hard to prepare a class, but I wouldn't take it personally on how seriously they take it.

You can't force people to exercise as hard as they should. If they want to throw their money away and not get anything out of it, then that is their decision.