Be Vulnerable with Your Fitness Instructor About Discomfort, Injury, Fatigue, or Boredom

Just because you’re training in a group setting in Group Fitness Classes doesn’t mean your workout has to look exactly like everyone else’s—especially if you’re dealing with nagging pain, recovering from an injury, or just feeling off. To truly personalize your fitness experience, you’ve got to speak up—and your Fitness Instructor really wants you to.

It makes sense that some members might feel hesitant to open up about injuries or limitations. Our bodies are personal. Sometimes, it feels easier to stay quiet about what’s going on physically or emotionally. But keeping those things to yourself might be doing more harm than good.

There’s often a stigma around injury—like it’s a sign of “weakness.” And when you’re already in a high-energy room that can feel a bit intimidating, it’s tempting to push through and hope no one notices. But your Fitness Instructor doesn’t view injury as weakness—he sees it as information. Information that helps him guide you more safely and more effectively.

When you let your Fitness Instructor know what you’re dealing with—whether it’s a shoulder that’s been acting up or fatigue from a stressful week—he can check in with you during class, offer quick and effective modifications, and help make sure your body is supported throughout your workout and recovery. There’s absolutely no upside to suffering in silence.

This is even more important if you’re pregnant, when certain movements can be risky even if they don’t feel bad in the moment. You might think nothing of doing V-ups or mountain climbers, but when your Fitness Instructor is aware of your unique situation, he can offer options that keep your core strong and your body safe.

“Respect your body. Respect what you’re going through,” your Fitness Instructor always says. “Even if you’re navigating an injury, don’t you still want to feel proud of what you accomplished today? We want you moving tomorrow, next week, and next month. That starts with moving smart today.”

But safety isn’t the only reason to speak up—sharing your limitations allows your Fitness Instructor to celebrate your wins even louder. If he knows you typically struggle with deep lunges due to knee pain, he’s going to notice—and cheer you on—when you push just a little further than usual. That kind of progress deserves recognition.

And on the flip side, if you’re crushing a workout and feeling like you could do more, flag your Fitness Instructor down! He’ll ask what you want to achieve and help you get there—whether that’s a small form tweak, added resistance, or a more explosive variation to challenge you in new ways.

In Group Fitness Classes, your success is personal. Let your Fitness Instructor in on your journey—because every class gets better when you do.