How to get clients to focus on group training
I lead a boot camp class several times a week and although it is incredibly rewarding to motivate the group, there is a small section of members that consistently talk though the class and do not fully participate in the workout. I have been approached by other members who genuinely put their full effort into the class who are annoyed by these talkers and feel discouraged when they are in class. I have tried ignoring the problematic clients, motivating them when I do see them putting more effort into the exercise and eventually started calling them out when I see them procrastinating on a station. None of these have helped so far and I can tell a difference in the mood of the class when these clients show up and when they are not present.
For those of you that are experienced in working in group fitness situations, how would you handle this?
Alaina, are these people who are not fully participating, paying for the class? If yes you can tactfully pull them aside and mention how you noticed their distractions in class and wondered how you can help them do better so they are getting their moneys worth. Maybe offer to “tutor” all the the talkers etc in a private class to help their fitness improve.
If they are not paying for the class, go to the fitness director, explain the issue and see if you can boot them from the class -after giving them the option of improving their conduct of course.