The importance of proper instruction.

CONFESSION: Monday night's spinning class was the first time I have worked out since last weekend's Cherry Blossom 10-miler.  Although I have been trying to be more vigilant about counting calories and eating less-but-healthy, I have been on a bit of a lethargic stretch as far as fitness is concerned.  Trying to get back on track, I signed up for spinning and Body-Pump on Monday afternoon.  I only made it to spinning, but given my lack of motivation, that is a small accomplishment in itself.

I love spinning, as a form of exercise.  I can sometimes talk myself out of working out as long or as hard as I should when I'm on my own, but in spinning, I'm forced to be there for 45minutes-1 hour, depending on the class--no excuses.  Also, the level of difficulty is, to an extent, up to me.  If I am having a great workout, I can crank the resistance knob up and really give myself some brutal strength training.  But, if I just came from BodyPump or if I'm feeling weaker, I can take it easy.  I'm still working hard, but just not as intensely.  I was truthfully very happy to be back in the class, with one very notable exception: my extremely annoying Monday afternoon instructor, Mariele.

I have been spinning for almost three years now and I have had a variety of different instructors, ranging from the mega-motivational to the completely terrible.  Monday's instructor, while always annoying, has grown increasingly terrible lately.  She seems apathetic and not motivated--let alone motivational.  I realize that I have never taught an exercise class--spinning or otherwise--so it's easier to critique than actually do it, but I've seen the good and the bad.  

First, the BAD:

This girl has been teaching this class for as long as I can remember taking it, yet I have no idea what her name is--and she doesn't know anyone in the class. (I only found out her name was Mariele from looking it up on the cycling schedule.)  She's young-ish (in her twenties), and never acts like she's very happy to be in the class or teaching the class.  She shows up and she complains to the groups as a whole, as we are arriving and setting up.  Not about teaching, but about something that's bothering her: the weather, the traffic, etc.  I guess it's her attempt at creating camaraderie, but she's never talks as if she expects a response, thus she typically does not get one.  Monday it was about the fees for running a half marathon and how she was NOT going to pay that much money to run a race.  I'm not sure if she expected vehement agreement or not.  Personally, I pay those fees to run those races, and training for those races is one of the reasons I'm sitting in her class. I did say, "Yes, races are expensive." (duh.) but was ignored.  The general bad attitude and poor demeanor sets a negative tone for the class.

Rarely does she ask if anyone is new to the class or new to spinning.  I feel bad for those who might be.  It would sour my taste for the activity.  She came into class Monday and announced that she had made a new mix for the class. (Well, that's exciting.) But then preemptively apologized for it being bad: "If you don't like it, deal with it."  Hmmm....ok, thanks.  I guess that was appropriate because the mix wasn't that good.   

She doesn't ever tell the class what to expect or what's coming next, which makes it extremely difficult to gauge how much resistance one adds on or takes off through out the class.  (My wrist got a good work out loading and unloading resistance because I had no idea what we were doing next.)  It's also mentally frustrating not to know the "schedule" of the class.  If you haven't taken spinning before, this might be a bit difficult to understand, but typically the instructor has a schedule of different bike workouts they take the class through (sprinting, climbing a tall hill, rolling hills, etc.  So, if you know you're going to increase your resistance a total of five times, you can find a pace and a resistance-level that is right for you.)  About ten minutes before the class ended, Mariele announced, "If you haven't figured it out by now, we're going to be doing jumps until the end of the class."  Well, no.  I had not figured that out.  Obviously my psychic abilities were a bit off that afternoon.

When I left the class Monday, I felt worn out and in a bit of a bad mood.  Granted, it was the first truly cardiovascular activity I'd participated in since my last race, but I just felt like I hadn't had a good, fun or satisfying workout.  Sure, my heart rate was up and my legs were tired.  But it hadn't been enjoyable or relaxing and I didn't get any of the mental perks I normally get from spin class.  If she didn't teach the class at such a convenient time and location for me, I would stop going. 

Cut to the Saturday before the National Marathon:  I wanted to do something besides a long run that weekend to keep my body in shape, but not tax my joints too much.  I ended up heading to the local gym by my house for their morning spin class.  It was one of the BEST classes I've ever been to and it was 99% because of the instructor. 

The GOOD:

I got to the class and the regulars all knew one another and were chatting as they set up their bikes.  The instructor knew EVERYONE's first name.  Everyone! She saw I was new and immediately came over to introduce herself to me and ask if this was my first time spinning.  I really appreciated the extra attention and the warm welcome! Her name was Cindy and her class was amazing and super fun!  Even though it was a short class (45 minutes) I worked harder in that class than I normally do.  I'm sure that's partially because it was my "last chance" workout before the marathon, but it was simply such a enthusiastic class I wanted to work harder.  Her attitude, and the entire class full of happy people, made me feel like I had just walked into the first day of kindergarten. 

Cindy prepped the class every time she was going to mix up the schedule.  If we were doing a long climb or interval training, we knew it.  I never got the feeling, as I often do in Mariele's class, that she's making up the agenda on the spot.  She also timed her mix perfectly to the activity we were doing. (We weren't listening to a slow song during a sprint or a fast, up-tempo song during a long hill climb....something Mariele never bothers to concern herself with.) Also, after every song that was unique or rare, she would explain when she first heard it, and why she chose it for spinning.  It was not only little interesting tidbits, but it also took my mind off of whatever I was doing on my bike.

It was a fantastic class.  I left feeling positive and as if I'd accomplished something.  I am disappointed that my schedule hasn't allowed me to go back on a Saturday morning since then, and I can't wait.  I am hoping I can make it back for a few more classes before I move from that area.  I wish I had known about how great this class was long ago!  Does anyone have really great instructors?  What do they do that sets them apart? what about the really horrible ones?