Gym Difficulties

[Cynthia Schaller]

How do you deal with teaching a challenging/ intermediate Pilates class at the gym when it is the only Pilates class offered and a elderly person gets mad because it is too hard even when you offered modifications for each excersise? I had this happen today. She talked to my superviser and even questioned my teaching skills when I taught her an hour long lecture class myself on Pilates. Then she said I was too fit and that I expect all of my students to be at my level. Why would I do that when I offer up to 3 modifications per excersise sometimes and she could not even do those? Sorry for the rant but I love PIlates and work very hard planning and teaching my classes. My other class members even rave to the owners of the club. Just wondering if anyone had similar experiences or how to handle something like that.

[Pilates of Michigan]

I wouldn't take things too personally. I found that in my 10 years of experience that is very difficult to please everyone and there will always be a bad seed that comes along......even though we try our hardest to give everyone a good experience. I find that it is close to impossible to effectively teach group class unless there is a level of skill attached to the class. At my studio I direct people to a class that is suitable for their level so that everyone feels comfortable. At previous places I have taught at they refuse to put levels on classes and nobody is happy. The beginner clients are overwhelmed and the advanced clients are bored to death. I used to cater the class to my faithful clients because I knew they'd come back for more.

That's why I'm not too hip on gym Pilates or any other environment that doesn't make the method personalized to the client.

[Cynthia Schaller]

Thanks you are right although I do teach a beg and an intermediate and no matter what I say to people they still insist on starting with the harder class then they think its too hard,lol. Thank goodness for my regulars.