Community

Ummm..that was supposed to be like p.p.p.p.p.p.p pokerface (Lady Gaga)

Moving on....I took the 10.30 Pump class this morning and apart from the guy in the front row *trying* to catch my eye as I gazed the room all I noticed were a sea of Pump faces. Now those of us who are instructors know what I am talking about....So, I would like to hear what instructors do to engage their class and get a laugh and what the particpants like best about their favourite instructors and what it is they do that makes you smile. 

Maree

RPMfreak:

... a sea of Pump faces ...

LOL. I like the descriptor.

This must be a common trait and am sure I also have a "Pump face". I hope none of you instructors take it as a insult if we participants aren't that effusive with feedback.

Most of the class I'm either concentrating hard to keep technique and/or blank out pain. Hence the vacant expression and auto-pilot attitude. Also, not all of us are that extrovert, so again don't feel offended if the "woohooing" is a little lacklustre.

Despite this, the chat and encouragement does filter through, so don't stop trying for that "fitness magic". Speaking personally, you're far more likely to get smiles during the breaks between tracks than during.

---

---

Recently published - my review of BodyPump 73 is available on my blog at:
http://rickinoz.com/2010/03/07/bodypump-73-review

---

The forum member "pipera" is not a Les Mills Instructor, though his posts, signature and profile will falsely claim otherwise.

Since he has been economical with the truth on his profile, read the real facts here.

---

I used to have an instructor that ask some participants to go on stage when he saw 'Pump' faces or he can get down from the stage and made moves with us.

That creates motivation among them and participants can cheer the participants who are on stage..

Now he's gone from our gym club. Miss him a lot

 Maybe you can try that. 

---

Another BP, BA, BC, BJ and RPM freak Quarterlies in Paris, March : 03/12-13-14/2010 http://animoto.com/play/zB4oi9QgG0qnUSWmFPYi3A? On twitter : Tiger75Paris

At the start of a tough track I often tell them they will need their "Angry Eyes" (potato head reference) handy for the last set, or climb in RPM

---

“A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone. else thought they could.” -Zig

Teaching RPM™ and BODYPUMP™ in Bowie Maryland!!

I have three pump faces. 

The most common is the vacant face Rick mentioned, totally concentrated on my workout.

Sometimes I change into pump face number 2, which says "stop talking up there, stop counting, stop telling me I'm almost there all the time even though we're just at the beginning of the track, just shut up". Some instructors just TALK too much. Sadly, since ESP doesn't work, nobody understands that face.

My third pump face is the one between tracks, smiling and joking and shouting "YEAH" when instructor asks "Are you feeling GOOD?!

---

BODYSTEP participant since January 2008, BODYPUMP participant since February 2009.

as for me, I like when the instructors talks a lot and make some jokes even about participants

I would adopt the third face you mention

---

Another BP, BA, BC, BJ and RPM freak Quarterlies in Paris, March : 03/12-13-14/2010 http://animoto.com/play/zB4oi9QgG0qnUSWmFPYi3A? On twitter : Tiger75Paris

If you can keep face 3 during tracks, in my opinion you don't have enough weight on. 

---

BODYSTEP participant since January 2008, BODYPUMP participant since February 2009.

Hahah Loppan, look at the thread : what are your weights?, and you will see by yourself.

But I like to cheers, shout and encouraging my friends (not too much somehow...)

---

Another BP, BA, BC, BJ and RPM freak Quarterlies in Paris, March : 03/12-13-14/2010 http://animoto.com/play/zB4oi9QgG0qnUSWmFPYi3A? On twitter : Tiger75Paris

Loppan:

If you can keep face 3 during tracks, in my opinion you don't have enough weight on. 

Not necessarily true. I usually smile and chuckle manically during some sets of tracks. Some weird way of blanking out the pain with excess joy and euphoria. TMI, maybe. But whatever floats the boat.

 

tiger75:

But I like to (...) encourage my friends

Haha. For me it's like the other way round. I brought one a couple of days ago, and asked "You sure you're not going too heavy?" when I saw her barely non-existant chest weights . Poking fun is always the most fun!

 

 

robinhr:

Loppan:

If you can keep face 3 during tracks, in my opinion you don't have enough weight on. 

Not necessarily true. I usually smile and chuckle manically during some sets of tracks. Some weird way of blanking out the pain with excess joy and euphoria. TMI, maybe. But whatever floats the boat!

 

 

 

  Robin.

---

Another BP, BA, BC, BJ and RPM freak Quarterlies in Paris, March : 03/12-13-14/2010 http://animoto.com/play/zB4oi9QgG0qnUSWmFPYi3A? On twitter : Tiger75Paris

robinhr:

--- smile and chuckle manically during some sets of tracks. ---

Endorphins at work!

---

BODYSTEP participant since January 2008, BODYPUMP participant since February 2009.

trancendental:

RPMfreak:

... a sea of Pump faces ...

LOL. I like the descriptor.

This must be a common trait and am sure I also have a "Pump face". I hope none of you instructors take it as a insult if we participants aren't that effusive with feedback.

Most of the class I'm either concentrating hard to keep technique and/or blank out pain. Hence the vacant expression and auto-pilot attitude. Also, not all of us are that extrovert, so again don't feel offended if the "woohooing" is a little lacklustre.

Despite this, the chat and encouragement does filter through, so don't stop trying for that "fitness magic". Speaking personally, you're far more likely to get smiles during the breaks between tracks than during.

 

I couldn't have said it better! I like it when the Instructor talks, makes a joke and/or asks for a smile...etc.

One of the Instructors has a good phrase (can't translate it) which he is using a lot during Pump and whenever he says it that makes me smile...

robinhr:

 

tiger75:

But I like to (...) encourage my friends

Haha. For me it's like the other way round. I brought one a couple of days ago, and asked "You sure you're not going too heavy?" when I saw her barely non-existant chest weights . Poking fun is always the most fun!

 

 

 I like also doing this kind of jokes to my buddies and then they go challenging with me

---

Another BP, BA, BC, BJ and RPM freak Quarterlies in Paris, March : 03/12-13-14/2010 http://animoto.com/play/zB4oi9QgG0qnUSWmFPYi3A? On twitter : Tiger75Paris

I am a participant.  Most of my instructors have been awesome, however, I've had about three that stand out.  Michelle, Sharon and Tanya all try to get to know the participants.  The first thing that helps is that they take requests.  That means that some people are going to come up and chat to them.  Secondly they have fun in class.  Each in different ways.  Back when Sharon was my instructor she used to put in extra moves into the breaks, e.g. shaking the hips in squats, as you waited for the singles to kick in again.  Michelle actually encouraged singing in her classes.  (She also had an RPM class at 6:15 I used to go to.  But I don't see that hour of the day for anyone, lol).  Michelle also had awards at the end of each year for members of the class.  Tanya is one of the funniest people I know.  She really tells a good story and yet is so committed to the class.  She often reminds us to laugh at ourselves a bit and to remember that she is suffering the pain too.

Could it be conincidence, but these three ladies are all over 40?  They are awesome at what they do.  Age is no barrier people.  It only makes you wiser.  We need to realise that our society places too much emphasis on looks and age.  I hope that we'll get over this one day.

Yes, fun made us forget the pain we suffer in some tracks..

---

Another BP, BA, BC, BJ and RPM freak Quarterlies in Paris, March : 03/12-13-14/2010 http://animoto.com/play/zB4oi9QgG0qnUSWmFPYi3A? On twitter : Tiger75Paris