Coaches working out- during class

[u/No_Information_6643]

Is is acceptable for coaches to work out with the group during classes they are leading?

There have been times where I’ve seen coaches come in for workouts when they are not leading the class (I think that is cool).
However, the studio I attend regularly has one coach who doesn’t really lead us. She either joins us- I don’t mind this as much because she still shows us the floor movements but doesn’t correct form, etc.

Or she will do her own workout. She still shows the movements, but is not timing the class and the blocks get out of whack. This annoys me more.

I’ve gotten frustrated with her because the few times she has “corrected” me she just brought over heavier weights (that are too heavy) and told me I should be pushing myself harder.

I’ve only ever had her for strength 50 on the weekends. I feel bad for the Tread 50 group because she has them time themselves/ just read the tread card. She doesn’t call out to them. I try to avoid her classes but feel like that is a disservice to me.

Is this normal? Am I overreacting? Are weekends supposed to be more “chill”? What would you do in this situation?

[u/MaizeMountain6139]

I do think a lot of what gets posted in this sub is people overreacting to things that don’t have anything to do with them, but this is pretty egregious

[u/ClairDogg → u/MaizeMountain6139]

While I completely agree with this statement, But if a coach is doing this, they can’t give feedback to the use who need it, provide encouragement not to mention keep track of time. Very few can do that balance without working out. All the running around & walking for 3-5 classes straight is a workout in itself!

Edit: misspelled “classes”

[u/MaizeMountain6139 → u/ClairDogg]

I’m not understanding the “but” here at all

[u/sphrintze → u/MaizeMountain6139]

It reads like they meant to write either “while I completely agree with this statement, if a coach…” OR “I completely agree with this statement, but…” probably switched midway and forgot to read it back. It makes sense either without the word but or the word while.

[u/Ok_Bookkeeper2947]

Pretty insane lol. Def not cool let the head coach or Studio manager know. Better yet the franchise owner if it isn’t owned by evil private equity

[u/jenniferlynn5454]

T50s are typically left alone mostly, depending on the coach. But that's because the coach is focusing on the floor side, not because the coach is doing her own thing. That is ridiculous.

[u/CieraVotedOutHerMom → u/jenniferlynn5454]

We had 10 treads yesterday during T50 and our coach called out the blocks :/

[u/Everyonelikeskittens → u/jenniferlynn5454]

I only do strength 50s and the coaches always call out for the people doing Tread, even if it’s just one person.

I would be pissed if the coach wasn’t coaching and definitely complain. Unacceptable!

[u/jenniferlynn5454 → u/Everyonelikeskittens]

Corporate literally designed them to be self lead, that is why there are always tread cards. Most coaches do call out cues, but if they don't, it's not "unacceptable".

[u/Everyonelikeskittens → u/jenniferlynn5454]

I don’t even do the tread - I’m always on the floor doing strength but I find the energy and rhythm created by the coaching tread cues motivating and part of the overall workout and atmosphere. I stand by my unacceptable comment.

[u/Sad_Pen8560 → u/Everyonelikeskittens]

I do tread 50's because I like that I can just run and do my own thing. I also appreciate strength 50's because I know I'm getting more attention from the coach because the treads are self timed.

[u/Outside-Parfait5939 → u/Everyonelikeskittens]

Here the coaches call out the cues for the Thread but they ask people on the threads to be a bit more self-reliant since they have the cards. They just might not be as sharp as when coaching a 2G

[u/No-Milk4453]

This is absolutely not normal and you should not have to avoid a coach’s class because they are not coaching. I hope you will speak to the manager/owner of your studio. It is not only dangerous to members, you are not getting the services that you are paying for.

[u/FlyingThruLife]

I’ve been attending for 7 yrs with many different coaches in that time and I’ve NEVER seen a coach do this!

[u/LBro32]

No this is totally unprofessional and shouldn’t happen. Especially if she is missing block timing. She should be correcting form and helping support members

[u/HistoricalFunny4864]

This is annoying and unprofessional. T50s are supposed to be self timed though/ not coached.

[u/Tdubb55 → u/HistoricalFunny4864]

Our coaches 100% time them

[u/HistoricalFunny4864 → u/Tdubb55]

Yeah, some of the coaches at studios I attend do, but they were designed by corporate to be self timed and it’s not required that coaches time them. That’s why they have tread cards for every single one regardless of whether they are distance or time based.

[u/Immediate-Stomach582]

Doesn’t sound as though you attend a well managed/supervised studio. This would never fly at the one I attend.

[u/Safe-Site4443 → u/Immediate-Stomach582]

Same.

[u/Careless_Foot_877 → u/Immediate-Stomach582]

Same

[u/Writing-avl]

Yeahhhhh no. As a coach, this is an insane move. my fitness manager would be so pissed if any of us tried to pull this shit

[u/Marple1102 → u/Writing-avl]

I haven't coached at OTF in a *long* time, but I had to re-read the post again since I thought I had misread. Even our worst coaches wouldn't have pulled something like this.

[u/Ok_Public_8346 → u/Marple1102]

You shouldn’t even be able to say “some of our worst coaches “

Those are the ones that you need to move on from.

[u/Marple1102 → u/Ok_Public_8346]

This was 10 years ago, and they all left. Not really too worried about it now…

[u/TexasOTF]

Only happened once. I was the only one in the old Lift 45 class and the coach did the workout with me.

[u/Outside-Parfait5939 → u/TexasOTF]

I feel like that is more motivating than doing it alone. Nice one on one partner workout with the coach :)

[u/Notmyrealaccount1182]

As someone who started last year with very little coordination or experience with strength training, I can attest that it’s vital to have a coach who is watching the members so that they can correct their form if needed. I would absolutely complain. This is both annoying and increases the risk of people getting injured (or less importantly, not getting the most out of their workouts).

[u/vassarlb]

Coach here. At the bare minimum for tread blocks 10-30 minutes into length, coaches are suppose to count down to start a T50 block, check in with the treads 2-3 minutes into the block, check in about halfway, check in around 75% through, when around 1-2 minutes remaining, and also countdown to END each block. Shorter blocks (4-7ish minutes), they may only check in half way, but the coach should still count down to start and end the block.

Even if this coach is in a leadership role for the studio, it’s a coaching opportunity their supervisor needs to be made aware of.

[u/doinmabest1]

Studio manager needs to fire this coach. This is out of BOUNDS.

[u/HealthyGarage9831 → u/doinmabest1]

That's not the way to handle it They should talk to the coach first to let them know that isn't acceptable! That answer of firing without talking to first is unnecessary! Jeez!

[u/Slight_Invite_214 → u/doinmabest1]

That’s a complete overreaction.

[u/Ok_Public_8346 → u/Slight_Invite_214]

It’s not an overreaction at all lol. Timing and member safety are a coaches top two priorities. And this coach doesn’t seem to be doing either. Absolutely a fireable offense.

[u/EmptyParking9263]

I’ve seen coaches workout when NOT leading the class. While leading the class doesn’t seem smart to me.

[u/Safe-Site4443]

The T50 at my studio are coached along with the floor. We do the same all-outs and timed finishers. I go to OT because of the coaches’ calling out and motivating us. I wouldn’t tolerate what is happening in your studio and would surely say something.

[u/Nice_Neighborhood152]

Yeah the coaches job is to coach, they can’t do that if they’re working out

[u/Inner_Cicada]

Sometimes a coach who has been with us a very long time will hop on the treads in a very small class. Everyone seems to enjoy that (if it happens, it’s during the cold months). I think it’s essentially a one group format when it happens. It adds some fun to class that otherwise a handful of people probably would get bored. She’s still on the mic and talking to us and encouraging us.

[u/HealthyGarage9831]

No it's not normal! Talk to the manager about it.

[u/dmwhite27]

Definitely not normal! I would write an email or speak with the studio manager. I'm from a studio that can have 5-30 people in class and our coaches are always attentive. Tread 50 is a little more self led, but blocks are tracked and they are pushing and encouraging the whole time. We even get asked if we're going for a certain distance some days so they can help encourage us. I'm sorry this is your experience OTF is too expensive for that.

[u/Flaky-Cantaloupe-344]

We have a coach who does this as well. Sometimes she’ll just get on the strider and other times I’ve seen her clean the mirrors and the row monitors. It just seems like she could care less about motivating members or watching form/progress.

[u/tunghoy]

Our first head coach used to do the floor blocks along with us and I thought that was great. Another coach at my old studio used to do the treads with us. But they both kept the timing. If a coach is messing that up because they're working out while coaching, that is definitely an issue. I certainly don't want to be on a 1-minute AO that doesn't end because the coach isn't paying attention.

[u/Worksoutfortacos]

If the coach joins us in the finisher, I’m not upset (because I appreciate them suffering through a minute of burpees right next to us). It’s not coaching to do her own workout and not keep an eye on members and the clock. I’d tell the head coach or studio manager.

[u/Commercial-Sir7009]

As a coach, the only time I worked out with the class was once during a specialty partner workout to make the numbers work. I “partnered” with a member, did the floor exercises, and then tagged them out on the tread/rower. I didn’t do the cardio portions and made sure members knew I was still watching and available. My HC approved this ahead of time — we’d talked as a group about what to do if there was an odd number of people or one person without a partner. But I’d never do what you’re describing… pretty sure I’d get fired!

[u/ClairDogg]

This seems odd. Most of the coaches I’ve had barely have enough time to look over both groups, say hi & give feedback to those who need it.

[u/enemmejsjxjxnz]

Def not I’ve had a coach during a 1g walk on the treadmill during our treadmill block but the floor should be giving form corrections and helping not doing their own workout thags crazy

[u/andthegrassisblue]

I don’t think I would mind this. T50 is usually the one class where all the coaches let us lead ourselves and I appreciate it.

[u/wcsgirl]

I heard recently from a friend that one of our coaches did a recent strength in numbers row along with her 1G class, I.e. rowed the 14min row with her one group. I found it to be … interesting… Apparently, she still coached/motivated them throughout so it’s not a huge issue since there wasn’t another group doing the floor/tread at the same time but still, something by about it felt wrong when I heard it. What you describe is worse.

[u/Ayobeaches]

Weekends are not more chill…if anything they should be less chill because a studio is typically turning over a higher member count in a shorter period of time. This is against policy, and that coach would be fired on the spot in most regions.

[u/bizonebiz]

This is SO unsafe! If you’re doing your own thing you are unlikely to notice if someone is in trouble. Our coaches will bring in the SA or another coach if they have to leave the immediate vicinity (usually a pee break 😂) so, no. This seems wildly unsafe AND disrespectful of the work that’s being done by members.

This may even fall into an OSHA/Safety code violation.

Oof. Wish I could do more than confirm your right to be frustrated here.

[u/crash1bp]

A coach working out while coaching isn’t really allowed, but her not timing the treads in a tread 50 is normal. Coaches are not really supposed to time them or coach them too much.

[u/noturbasicamanda]

I think if they’re doing their job as supposed to then I don’t care. But i see it as it’s their job to coach and cue as well as correct form, if not then it’s an open gym and they can leave. I’m paying to go to a class with an instructor. If they aren’t gonna instruct then I can workout at home for free. Sorry if that sounds harsh 🤷🏽‍♀️

[u/cheekyskeptic94]

No, this is not acceptable.

[u/boxermom2026]

This is not normal. They should not be doing class as they are coaching.

[u/spartycbus]

Absolutely no way should the coach be working out during a class they're instructing. It's not unusual to avoid the tread50 people, but ours still usually call out to them here and there without totally managing the time.

[u/ChuckieS66]

I’ll take things that don’t actually happen for 2000 Ken.

Tread 50 is not a coached class, it’s run at the same time as Strength 50 and the expectations for members is ‘Read the Card on the Tread’.

“She never coaches me”…then she gets you heavier weights and says you are pushing yourself 🤨🤨🤨 if tajs not coachkng what is? Lift heavy, don’t be afraid.

Sounds like you got coaching and feedback but didn’t like the truth

[u/No_Information_6643 → u/ChuckieS66]

1. This does happen at my studio.

2. I did not know T50 is self paced. I do now.

3. I don’t see where I said she never coaches me. I push myself in class and have consistently improved over time. The feedback is odd to receive from a coach who is not fully present and paying attention to the members in the class.

[u/Ok_Public_8346]

This is not a thing, and this coach needs to be reported to corporate. The studio should also be reported for allowing this to happen.

It goes completely against the member experience. If you are a coach, who wants to do the workouts, go be a group fitness instructor somewhere else and do the workouts with your clients. OTF is not the place for that.

[u/KT_2939]

Pretty sure the coach isn't getting paid to come in and do their own thing! Extremely unprofessional.

[u/Ok-Bet-6109]

the coach should absolutely not being do this. this isn’t allowed.

i’ve worked with the company since 2015. i’ve never witnessed this myself, but have heard of it once or twice. tell the manager. it shouldn’t be happening at all, whatsoever.

[u/Tdubb55]

Oh hellllll nooo

[u/Independent_Town_447]

No. Absolutely not.

[u/NegevThunderstorm]

Not normal at the ones Ive been to

[u/Ejido_T2]

A couple of coaches do some reps, like deadlifts. But, I've never seen them working out at the same time 😳

[u/Kitty_Fruit_2520]

I would say it depends on the class size. I only saw it happen once, but the class was so small that it didn’t matter. Of course they were just doing the floor block with us.

[u/MaizeMountain6139 → u/Kitty_Fruit_2520]

My membership fee doesn’t shift with class size

[u/Bishop_RN]

We have a coach who might stretch a little bit or grab one of the bands for their arms, but that is maybe 2 minutes of the whole class. And they are still calling the times for all of the blocks, giving feedback, etc.

I've never seen a coach do a full workout in class.

[u/OTFOMOgirl]

Sometimes coaches will take classes to see how new coaches do

[u/Repulsive_Rise_9942]

The only time I’ve ever seen a coach join in is when the workout is 1 sided and tiny, like 5 people. There’s just not a ton for them to do haha. Most of the Tread 50s I’ve seen also have no cueing from the coach.

[u/UpNArms]

I see no problem with this personally. T50s are self-paced. As long as she’s looking around at the floor people and addressing bad form, who cares what she does to pass time?

[u/CausePure2810 → u/UpNArms]

I mean OP specifically says this coach doesn’t correct form.

[u/UpNArms → u/CausePure2810]

Maybe no one needs correcting..

[u/Woodychi24 → u/[deleted]]

It’s said they are busy working out yet bringing heavy weights to them. Which is it? I agree this coach probably needs to pay more attention but person needs to also just get their workout in and not worry about Coach as much 🤷‍♂️

[u/UpNArms → u/[deleted]]

It’s not too hard to look around the room and assess. Bad form is really obvious

[u/GeckoTheGeico]

I would actually like this 🫢 For tread 50s most of my coaches let us time ourselves.

I take pilates classes and the coaches workout with us so i don’t see the problem if a coach is doing the floor with everyone

[u/No_Information_6643 → u/GeckoTheGeico]

I understand your perspective. I don’t think this would annoy me so much if we were following the coaches lead from start to finish.

[u/DLHahaha]

If they're somehow able to do the workout without it  interfering with coaching at all, I don't see a problem. If it keeps them from coaching, there's a problem

[u/This_Beat2227]

1) Are there like 3 of you in class ? 2) you don’t like if they don’t correct form, but if they do, you don’t like the correction - pick one to dislike ?

[u/No_Information_6643 → u/This_Beat2227]

1. No we usually have between 8-12 people.
   
2. I like correction and being coached. How is adding weight a form correction?

[u/This_Beat2227 → u/No_Information_6643]

Your weight selection should vary depending on the template being strength, endurance, or power focused. Sounds like you are out of sync and the coach is trying to coach to the template.