There are a lot of huge benefits to working out in a group.
You get a boost to your energy – you get to work in tandem with lots of other people who have the same goal as you – you even get to feel a bit of competition pushing you to be your best.
However, these benefits have drawbacks – namely if someone disruptive decides to crash your class.
Or worse, if you’re the disruptive person everyone else can’t stand.
So without further ado, here are the 7 things to avoid that no one wants to see in a fitness class:
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1. Do whatever you want
Sometimes when you’re in a class everyone is doing a move that isn’t good for you or your body – and it’s fine to adjust it so that it works for you.
What’s not fine is to try to do an alternate workout that you’ve come up with while everyone else is trying to follow the teacher.
If you decide you want to do a different exercise while everyone is focusing on pushups, it’s going to be distracting for everyone and throw off the whole class.
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2. Turning the mirror into your bathroom mirror
You want to know what mirrors are for at the gym? Form.
They’re for checking your form.
Things they are not for: making sure your makeup looks ok, flexing and admiring your muscles, popping zits, arranging your hair, anything else you’d do in a bathroom and not in public.
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You’re working out. Focus on that, not on how your biceps look.
3. Show up in the wrong gear
OK, so you might love your new yoga pants and you can’t wait to wear them to class…
Except they’re a lot thinner than your old ones, and downward dog suddenly shows off a lot more than it used to…
Make sure to dress appropriately for whatever class you’re taking. Don’t show up in a super low cut shirt or crazy short shorts unless you’re on an exhibitionist kick or you don’t mind distracting the rest of the class and giving everyone a show.
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4. Stinking up the joint
You know what’s your best friend in the gym?
No, it’s not Larry, your actual best friend who helps spot you when you’re lifting.
It’s deodorant.
No one wants to be stuck in a class with the smelly person who makes it hard to even breathe. Regularly applying deodorant is a must, but so is regularly washing your workout clothes.
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If you show up in the same workout clothes week after week, it’s going to gross people out once you get a little sweaty and the really salty odors come working their way out of the clothes. (It’s important to remember that clothes that smell OK when you put them on often reveal their true nature after you sweat a bit).
Also important to remember: when you’re breathing hard, a lot of air is coming out your mouth, and if you have bad breath, it’s going to make life miserable for the person next to you. So do the obvious and brush your teeth!
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5. Being a chatterbox
It’s awesome to have friends to chat with in your class – but it’s best to do your chatting before the class starts or after it ends.
Not only are you distracting yourself and others from the workout, you could also be screwing up breathing patterns for all involved.
6. Wearing a pound of makeup
I know a lot of people think they need to look their best at the gym, but when you overdo it on the makeup you’re making yourself look ridiculous.
You can use some subtle makeup, but a face full of mascara and blush and foundation isn’t going to do you any favors once you start to sweat and it starts running all over your face.
Plus, what do you want to be focusing on? Making sure your makeup doesn’t smudge, or using proper form in your workout?
I thought so.
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7. Trying to “assist” the teacher
The teacher is the teacher for a very good reason – they know what they’re doing. They’ve picked the size of the class and they’ve got things under control.
What they don’t need is someone undermining the advice they’re giving by giving advice that may or may not be correct.
It’s true that the teacher can’t be everywhere at once – so if you see someone about to seriously hurt themselves speak up. But if you’re just offering your opinion on the best form, you should keep it to yourself and leave the teaching to the teacher.
In summary…
The 7 Worst Things To Do In A Fitness Class
- Do whatever you want
- Turning the mirror into your bathroom mirror
- Show up in the wrong gear
- Stinking up the joint
- Being a chatterbox
- Wearing a pound of makeup
- Trying to “assist” the teacher
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Way too funny. I am sharing this with my friends!
Too funny! I have been down this road before and the last time I was at a fitness CLASS, I saw someone get all up in the mirror right in front of everyone to check out a zit!
I love that picture at the top! I have seen people that go to the gym and fall into these bad habits. As long as they are not in my way, what is the big deal? Right?
If you are going to go in to a fitness CLASS, why would you think you can just do whatever you want?
I am glad that I read this. I am about to join my first fitness class and I am hoping that I am not the person you are describing here LOL.
I have seen people just doing whatever they feel like doing. I think they get so into the music they can hardly control themselves. It is comical, but sometimes they can be distracting.
I am going to have to make a mental note of some of these. I am too unpredictable and these could happen to me.
I have done a few of these things, but after a couple of dirty looks, I got the hint :)
I feel better about my fitness class when there is little talking and everyone is on their own workout cycle. Assisting others would not be a good thing as most of them realize the teacher gives the tips and you are just another “student”.
LOL. These are pretty good and the main reason they are funny, is because they are true. It is hard enough to get through the day without embarrassing yourself, try harder not to do it in a class full of gym freaks!
LOL, I have seen people get all up in the mirror like they own it. Very fun that is on the list!
I typically do not want to go to the gym for a fitness class, because of some of these. I try and make my own fitness class at home each week.
Yeah, I guess I do not see the reason to where any makeup to the gym. You are going to be busting your hump and getting all sweaty anyways, if you know what I mean.
Oh man! I have seen things like this and after a good workout it looks like some of these makeup woman have been sitting in the sauna for two hours.
Yea, most of these are quite funny because you know that we have all been in a class where this has happened, right?
Oh yeah! I have been witness to most of these. Always a good time at the gym watching everyone else’s reactions :)
I have been classes where there is one group that will not stop talking. It is hard enough to work up a sweat without all the distractions. I always ask them to quiet down.
This is a great list! I laugh inside when I see others coming to class in the situations you have listed here, lol.
I guess it would be a little strange to show up with the wrong gear. My guess is that you will only do that one time though :)
Stinking up the joint? For some of us that might not be that easy to do. If you want a good, full body workout, getting your sweat on is the best thing for your body. Sometimes a little yuckiness comes with that.
Maybe they are referring to the burritos that you ate the night before? LOL. If you are stinking up the joint because you are working out, I see no issue with that.
LOL, do whatever you want. Yeah, that would be a little odd to see in a fitness class.