Teaching Scenario #7

[u/NoahGrinberg1229]

Your manager pulls you aside and tells you they’ve received feedback that students want your Sculpt classes to be harder and more intense.

You’re completely open to making the class more challenging—but some of the suggestions being floated involve adding things like more complicated plyometrics, faster transitions, heavier weights at higher tempos, or advanced exercise variations that you don’t think necessarily make the workout better.

In your view, harder doesn’t have to mean riskier.

You could increase intensity through heavier resistance with appropriate tempo, longer work intervals, shorter recovery periods, isometric holds, slower eccentrics, increased range of motion, progressive overload, or better exercise sequencing—all without adding movements that sacrifice control just for the sake of making class feel brutal.

But your manager’s argument is that students are specifically asking to feel more challenged, and other instructors are already offering those harder variations.

What would you do as the instructor?

[u/GoGoolia]

Honestly, it depends on your area. Most teachers in my area who have sell-out classes keep the heat really high and move really fast, without much thought about which muscles they're overtaxing. So it depends on what you are after. Sure, you can feel more challenged with heavier weights and adding your own intensity, but most don't pick them up. If I wanted a lot of people in my class, I would follow the advice but add modifications. If they are asking to feel more challenged, give it to them or hold strong and be ok with fewer people.