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I experienced this as a Pump participant a few years back.  My instructor used to remove the 'rests' as well.  She would also say "If you want to take a rest now you can, but the rest of us are continuing."  You would feel like such a loser if you rested.  A couple of times I HAD to rest (as choreographed) then she would say "come on xxxx I know you are stronger than you think..."  Yep, I probably was, but my abs couldn't cope with maintaining great "lifting posture" for 5mins straight.  I ended up dropping my weights considerably in her class just to get through it. 

Funnily enough, my husband has had her as a 'fill-in' instructor and drops his weights to get through the class also. 

fitnessfirstmarion:

People get on these forums talking about how "talented" and "great" their instructors are that skip breaks etc and in all honesty they may be great instructors but clearly they are failing (whether by choice or otherwise) to fulfill the most important of elements of the LM Programs - choreography - which shows absolutely no talent and shouldnt be given the title of "great" instructors!?

 There is no way to justify not following the choreography and if you are experiencing this then firstly speak to your club GFM and if still nothing gets done, speak to your LM Agent.

GET A CLUE PEOPLE!!!

Rant over...

Well said mate. If you want to change the chore then teach freestyle, I think that's been said about 68 times on thie forum! 

justcallmeryan:

fitnessfirstmarion:

  There is no way to justify not following the choreography and if you are experiencing this then firstly speak to your club GFM and if still nothing gets done, speak to your LM Agent. GET A CLUE PEOPLE!!!

Well said mate. If you want to change the chore then teach freestyle, I think that's been said about 68 times on thie forum! 

Get a clue is right!  98% chance the GFM already knows about it, and the LM agent isn't going to do anything about it, because if he did, The club might go Group Power!

This whole thread is a chain puller.

Hmmm... I must say that I like the breaks.  I tend to be working all out and need it by the time it comes.  

 My favourite instructor does give us all the breaks but does also challenge us on some tracks to make it tougher - e.g. 7 wide rows at the end of the back track, stay down for 8 rather than 2 x 4 bottom halves in squats (although only in the final round - not throughout the track), holds at the end of a track.  If I'm honest, I suspect I prefer that class over others since it really really makes me feel that I've pushed myself just that little bit further and I've got more out of that hour.  And it doesn't affect my weight selection - it's not enough of a change that it makes it impossible to do my normal and it's unlikely that doing 2x3 wide rows would be so much easier that I'd put the weight up.

I remember this being covered a short time ago in another thread, and the head choreographer said the breaks were intentional and  designed to give the smaller assisting and stabilizing muscles the breaks they need, not the main muscles working.

I'm truly amazed that group exercise instructors (with the vast majority probably only having a national certification at most) who take it upon themselves to change chorey and skip rests and stretches think they know more than the Les Mills think tank of Master's and PhD's in human movement, kinese and other specialties that purposefully design these workouts. 

pbuttars:

I'm truly amazed that group exercise instructors (with the vast majority probably only having a national certification at most) who take it upon themselves to change chorey and skip rests and stretches think they know more than the Les Mills think tank of Master's and PhD's in human movement, kinese and other specialties that purposefully design these workouts. 

This is a fantastic point and one that I have reflected on these forums before. I am guessing that the vast majority of instructor actually have NO fitness training beyond an LM module. (USA?)

A background in basic anaotomy and physiology is essential to creating a safe class and this must, without compromise, be the first priority of any instructor. 

pbuttars:

I'm truly amazed

I'm not amazed, nor surprised, in the slightest.

Every profession has it's egomaniacs. Why should GEX be any different?

pbuttars:

Les Mills think tank of Master's and PhD's in human movement, kinese and other specialties that purposefully design these workouts. 

Can this be documented?  Thanks!

Rex

RexFury:

Can this be documented?  Thanks!

Rex

Sure, open your BodyPump instructor manual, first page lists all the contributors, their degrees and specialities.  We have practicing Dr's and Physiotherapists in addition to people with other degrees.  Works for me!

are "performance opportunities" the same as "changing choreo"?  there are a couple of tracks I can think of that I "changed" choreo as part of the performance.  One example - BP 60 Chest  - the 3/1 presses - clearly sound like a a STAGGERED 3/1 then into a smooth 3/1 - so I still do cue 3/1 - just staggered at first - it fits the mood & music - but technically I am changing choreo.  BP 52 Shoulder track - every exercise is staggered EXCEPT pushups - so I stagger the 2nd set of 1/1's - again - fits the music & sets the mood of the track (IMO)

so I fall into the "always takes choreographed rests & sticks to LM choreo perfectly - except when it suits the track!!!"  I Know I know - quite a slippery slope!

salawson:

are "performance opportunities" the same as "changing choreo"?  there are a couple of tracks I can think of that I "changed" choreo as part of the performance. 

You have answered your own question "I changed chore as part of performance"

Performance opps should be for you the instructor as part of the "magic", generally not for the participants and definitely not if it could compromise their safety.

Change choreography? FAIL!!! (for all the obvious and well stated reasons already posted).

Simple question. Would they be doing this if the Program Director or, say, Philip Mills was in the room. Yes or no?

 ...and RexFury's (bitter man!) comments about the diva attitudes of the "great" instructors that routinely skip breaks...and how they'll go to "brand x" if taken to task...

Let them go teach somewhere else. As a GFM I'd give them once chance to come correct. Unwilling to change? Find another job. PERIOD.

If the GFM is in collusion--the franchise club coach should get involved.

And no, it's not about "punishing the sinners" but doing it RIGHT.

Wow, Rex, I just really laughed my head off at your amazing Body Combat Epic movie starring Dan and Rach! lol So I have to say I was perplexed to come here and find your response to instructors changing chorey. :x  For Andy and anyone else who questions this:  When we sign the agreement to become instructors we are signing a contract stating that we will uphold Les Mills standards 100%. One of the KEY 5 ELEMENTS, and the FIRST element, is always choreography. Know choreography 100%. It's the 1st thing we are graded on both in the training and in the video assessment. Along with technique of course, they don't want their instructors doing something dangerous that could get someone hurt. But Chorey and Techniqe are the first 2 of the 3 primary areas evaluated. The chorey is designed to keep muscles under tension with the timing of the music for maximum results. Taking out the breaks does not prove the instructor is any stronger. It is simply changing chorey and they are not teaching to Les Mills standard. Period. Nor are they honoring their agreement and contract as a LM instructor. For you (Rex), a participant, I completely understand why you feel the way you do. And I would be inclined to agree...if I didn't go through the blasted 3 day training and even more rigorous assessment process following that! lol

But you are still one of my favourite posters. ;)  Keep it real...

turnitup59:

pbuttars:

I'm truly amazed that group exercise instructors (with the vast majority probably only having a national certification at most) who take it upon themselves to change chorey and skip rests and stretches think they know more than the Les Mills think tank of Master's and PhD's in human movement, kinese and other specialties that purposefully design these workouts. 

This is a fantastic point and one that I have reflected on these forums before. I am guessing that the vast majority of instructor actually have NO fitness training beyond an LM module. (USA?)

A background in basic anaotomy and physiology is essential to creating a safe class and this must, without compromise, be the first priority of any instructor. 

 

 

Unfortunately that is true. When I became a freestyle instructor I had to go through workshops of basic Anatomy and Physiology of exercise and the body. When I trained for LM programs, there is virtually nothing about that. I think all LM instructors should be required to have this training as well. Just my opinion. Maybe because I already had it. ;)  It costs more money and more time, but at least we would all understand HOW we are doing something affects the results! And could help us prevent inujuries, etc...