Is it rude to leave a group exercise class?
NO!
As a past instructor, I understand and empathize how it feels like when people either:
- don’t like the class
- don’t like you
- can’t coordinate themselves
- or can’t keep up
leave the class. You try not to take things too personally. Right?
For example, yesterday, I decided to take a ‘new’ dance class with an instructor I wasn’t familiar with. RIGHT OFF THE BAT I knew I would not like the class. There were several things that I observed *and I’m very observant* that kinda ticked at me from the beginning:
- It annoys me when instructors TALK too much
- It annoys me when they have a ‘teacher-like’ voice to them (almost like a kindergarten teacher talking to a bunch of little kids)
- I can’t stand instructors who wear really short shorts. I’m sorry, but it’s distracting, annoying and unprofessional.
So after I politely went through the warm up, she asked us to get in a line and start ‘jazz walking’ across the floor. Of course, I consider this class a cardio session, so I was definitely not pleased having to stop moving. I felt terrible because we had to partner up with someone…so I told the person next to me immediately that I was planning on leaving and that I apologize now for leaving her.
It was sad - but good. Bottom line: while we all want to be nice, cordial, and pleasing to everyone…and while it hurts feelings - if something is not going the way you want it, you’ve got to go! I’m sorry. I’ve left classes before…and if I sucked as an instructor, I hope other people leave my class too.
Why?
Because honesty is the best policy. As cliche as it sounds, the fact is, is that you can’t learn unless someone’s honest right?
So if you get stuck in the front row of a class and you absolutely cannot stand being there…LEAVE. And if you see the instructor outside the class, smile and give constructive feedback. If they really care about helping others, they will welcome the feedback.
Good instructors are priceless. Seriously, there is a shortage. If you are interested in becoming an instructor one day, check out: