The six red flags you shouldn’t ignore when checking out a new movement class.
Fitness classes are a wonderful way to stay on track, learn new skills, and create a sense of community around movement. However, not all fitness classes are created equal, and some may even pose risks to your health and well-being. Here are a few red flags to watch out for when choosing your next fitness class.
The first major red flag to watch for? A fitness space with instructors who lack proper certification. Certified instructors haven’t undergone hundreds of hours of training just for fun. These certifications ensure that your instructor has proper knowledge and understanding on how to teach exercises safely and effectively. An instructor without the appropriate certification may not be qualified to handle various fitness levels and conditions. What we know about fitness and how to make it work for various bodies and abilities is always changing, so stick with an instructor who is not only certified, but stays learning.
The next red flag to keep your eye out for is a class missing a warm-up, a cool-down, or both. A warm-up is essential in preparing your body for exercise by gradually increasing your heart rate and loosening your muscles, while the cool-down helps to lower your heart rate and stretch your muscles. Both of these sections are there to ensure that your workout is injury-free, and should not be skipped.
Another area where corners should never be cut? Demonstrating form. Skipping form cues and movement demonstrations is a bright red flag. Fitness instructors should always demonstrate exercises with proper form and gently correct students when they notice improper technique during in-person classes. Poor form can at best lead to an ineffective workout, and at worst a serious injury. If the instructor fails to provide clear demonstrations or ignores students who are struggling with form, it’s a red flag you don’t want to ignore.
On the topic of instructing, your teacher should always offer modifications and options, especially for less accessible moves. A fitness space that only ever offers one version of a movement, or simply suggests “just sitting this one out”, is a huge red flag. We all have unique needs and abilities, and providing a few different variations of a movement allows everyone to enjoy the class.
An instructor may choose to offer modifications based on what students have let them know beforehand about their health or current abilities. This brings us to our next red flag: neglecting individual health concerns. A good fitness space will always ensure that students are given a form or a designated period where they can let their instructor know of any health-related questions or concerns. If they don’t ask, or worse, ignore any existing student issues or health concerns, they are potentially putting their students at risk.
Finally, how does the language in the class make you feel? One of the brightest red flags is if their “motivation” just makes you feel like sh*t. This includes but isn’t limited to: fatphobia, diet-talk, and appearance based-comments. Instead, seek out a class that celebrates skill development, strength, and how good movement can make you feel.
Choosing a fitness class that is right for you can be daunting, but it will be a lot easier with this red flag field guide in your back pocket. Ultimately, always trust your gut, and do your research to find a class that’s reputable, uplifting, and a perfect fit for you.
Ready to find a fitness class that passes with flying colors? Check out our inclusive movement platform, The Garden. You stretch from anywhere in the world at any time.
