Sometimes when I hit a mental block while working out, a few strong words of encouragement such as, "Don't give up," or "Just two more reps," or "Jump a little higher," are definitely appreciated. I always end up feeling so proud for pushing myself a little harder, and without the fitness instructor or personal trainer's inspirational nudge, I don't think I would have been able to get there.
Some instructors can be a little more forceful or overbearing though. They may feel that yelling is the only way to motivate someone beyond their personal limits. So how do you feel about being yelled at? Are there times when you appreciate the tough love, or is there no place for screaming demands in your exercise world?
Celine
I need a trainer!
1I wouldn't mind a little yelling.
2Personally, I'm not the yelling type, so I think it's unnecessary. But I love a few words of encouragement though.
3I've never really had a yelling instructor, but all the fitness classes I go to are either Pilates or Yoga.
Sometimes I want to yell at people when they're doing poses with hideous form, but I hold my tongue.
I like a teacher that talks throughout though. Having constant reminders to pull my abs to my spine or to focus on breathing or to keep my glutes contracted are exactly why I go to these classes.
4Yes, a few words of encouragement are nice.
5I think it depends on the individual and the situation. I would rather have a trainer to be tough on me than to be a cheerleader but some people don't respond well to that. A good trainer should read their client to find out what motivates them and in what circumstances tough love is appropriate and when warm fuzzies work better. Personally though, I would love a boot camp type trainer!
6My trainer doesn't yell... she gently nudges me. Maybe if I was in a boot camp type program and I knew to expect yelling, I wouldn't mind it as much, but I think yelling would turn me off.
7My trainer never yelled at me; he DID gently correct my form sometimes or encourage me to get a few more reps in. I like being pushed, but I do not do well with people yelling at me.
8I don't have a yeller. I *do* have an a-hole for one though. Too bad I just paid up for the next few months. I'm really starting to hate him.
9I don't do yelling. Someone yells at me and I'm likely to just be like "F this, I'm done." Then again, I hardly ever exercise. Bad Bella!
10I'm with BellaSugar. I've been to bikram yoga classes where the instructors will single you and yell at you by name--beyond annoying. Positive encouragement works much better with me, or gentle correction.
11I'm much more a fan of the Biggest Loser Bob (encouraging) type of trainer than the Jillian (yelling, flaring nostrils) type.
12my trainer doesn't yell at me, but he will tease me enough to the point where i punch the rest of the reps out and pretend like i'm taking it out on him. it's all in good fun, though, because he's really the sweetest guy and at the end of the session, i always feel accomplished because i managed to do everything he asked of me. sometimes you just need a little push is all
13Tough love is hugely motivating for me.
14I absolutely
my trainer!! He's awesome. He's gentle and supportive yet firm and
professional. We have a really great relationship, we have fun and appreciate eachother too! I also love that he's highly educated in his field (Masters degree in what he does and he's going
back to school this year to start on his Doctorates degree). Yep, yep I love my trainer!!!
15Yelling isn't my thing. It would be like my boss yelling at me to try to motivate me to work faster. It just wouldn't work.
16Agreed, bella. I consider exercise relaxing leisure time. And if I'm paying someone, he best not be yelling at me.
17I agree with Bella. I can't stand yelling, and I would leave if I had a trainer or was in a class where the instructor yelled. Encouragement is ok, but I am fine with encouraging myself. That's also probably why I prefer to exercise alone
18i love it when trainers get tough. gentle encouragement does not motivate me in the least. i need jillian michaels yelling in my face or i'll give up before finishing those last reps.
19Encouragement, yes. Yelling, no. I used to go out running with somebody who would yell at me if I wanted to stop and it just made me want to stop more. I enjoy one of my gym classes because the instructor keeps us going by saying 'Come on, only 10 more reps'...not screaming at us.
20I work better when I take a little abuse - not much, but a little. I tend to get to complacent otherwise and I'm there to work to my fullest potential, not take it easy.
21I'm a group fitness instructor, and I've seen the best results from my clients when I encourage them to challenge themselves, rather than barking orders at them.
Personally, I could use some tough love from someone training me!
22No yelling! Just encouragement. Speak affirmatively without yelling.
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