Instructor is late everyday...say something?

[Anonymous]

I attend a MWF strength training class that begins at 5:15AM. I wake up at 4:30AM to attend.
Every single morning, the instructor is at least 5+ minutes late. By the time she gets herself together and the music ready, we are starting close to 10 minutes late. 10 minutes may not seem like much, but I end up having to skip the Abs and cool-down portion of the class to make it to work on time. I end up being annoyed with the teacher because she just can't seem to be bothered to arrive on time.
I want to have a talk with the gym director to let him know what is happening.
Am I being petty?

[Anonymous]

Not at all petty. definitely say something!

[Anonymous]

The instructor actually needs to be early to set up so the class can begin at 5:15 sharp.

I'd absolutely say something.

[Anonymous]

Especially an early morning class like that! Definitely say something.

[Anonymous]

Send an e-mail to the gym instructor. Keep it short and simple. I'm of the "balance your complaint out" type, and would write something like this:

"Hi, I'm so-and-so, and have been regularly attending Larla's class for a month now. I love the class overall, and she can be a great instructor. I know early mornings can be rough, but lately she's been late for every single class, which makes it hard for us early birds trying to get a full workout in before work. Once in a while exceptions are one thing, but this is becoming a regular thing for us trying to get our hour's worth. Not sure if this is the avenue to contact, but thought I'd reach out. Thanks for your time."

[Anonymous]

That would annoy me.

I have a similar problem with a couple of the gyms I go to (same chain). The child care room caregivers are late all the time, so I'm missing the first 10 minutes of a yoga class waiting for them to get there, and then I'm scrambling to finish my workout in time for whatever we have planned afterward. (and I *hate* being that person walking into yoga 10 minutes late.)

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't escalate to the gym director until you actually talk to the instructor first.
Seems premature to escalate when you haven't said anything to the instructor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't escalate to the gym director until you actually talk to the instructor first.
Seems premature to escalate when you haven't said anything to the instructor

I disagree. What's the point? To tell them what they already know? An instructor knows themselves, and knows when they're chronically late. Once in a while is fine, happens to everyone. But if it's regular, it should be brought up with the class director.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't escalate to the gym director until you actually talk to the instructor first.
Seems premature to escalate when you haven't said anything to the instructor

I disagree. What's the point? To tell them what they already know? An instructor knows themselves, and knows when they're chronically late. Once in a while is fine, happens to everyone. But if it's regular, it should be brought up with the class director.

I was thinking it would give them a chance to explain that

1. They have gotten feedback from everyone else in the class that they prefer a later start since they also have difficulty getting to the class on time.
2. Their own child's daycare doesn't open soon enough for them to get to the class on time and they are having trouble finding a daycare that does

That is why I would inquire first to see if something could be worked out.

Possible solutions include
1. Instructor changes format of class (less breaks? Takes out a section everyone hates?) to shorten the class and allow OP time to get everything in and still be on time to work.
2. Reduces OP's charge for the class and gives her a personal workout to do while she waits for the instructor

And this is just off the top of my head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't escalate to the gym director until you actually talk to the instructor first.
Seems premature to escalate when you haven't said anything to the instructor

I disagree. What's the point? To tell them what they already know? An instructor knows themselves, and knows when they're chronically late. Once in a while is fine, happens to everyone. But if it's regular, it should be brought up with the class director.

I was thinking it would give them a chance to explain that

1. They have gotten feedback from everyone else in the class that they prefer a later start since they also have difficulty getting to the class on time.
2. Their own child's daycare doesn't open soon enough for them to get to the class on time and they are having trouble finding a daycare that does

That is why I would inquire first to see if something could be worked out.

Possible solutions include
1. Instructor changes format of class (less breaks? Takes out a section everyone hates?) to shorten the class and allow OP time to get everything in and still be on time to work.
2. Reduces OP's charge for the class and gives her a personal workout to do while she waits for the instructor

And this is just off the top of my head.

If there are legitimate reasons like that, the instructor should officially change the time of the class so it would be clear what time things are starting and ending. That she hasn't made an official change tells me that she doesn't take the lateness seriously.

[Anonymous]

I was thinking it would give them a chance to explain that

1. They have gotten feedback from everyone else in the class that they prefer a later start since they also have difficulty getting to the class on time.
2. Their own child's daycare doesn't open soon enough for them to get to the class on time and they are having trouble finding a daycare that does

I do agree she should raise it with the instructor first as a matter of courtesy, but I don't think either of those reasons justify starting late every class. If it isn't possible for the instructor to be there in time, or everyone else prefers a later starting time, she needs to talk with the gym and reschedule the starting time of the class, not just show up late.

[Anonymous]

If you go over the instructors head, she is going to get a phone call about it where the very first thing she is going to say is that you haven't talked to her about it, and that is exactly what the gym manager is going to tell her to do.

Save yourself a step and do it in the right order.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you go over the instructors head, she is going to get a phone call about it where the very first thing she is going to say is that you haven't talked to her about it, and that is exactly what the gym manager is going to tell her to do.

Save yourself a step and do it in the right order.

Um, no, that's not what will happen. This isn't elementary school where you try to work out the problem with your friend before going to the teacher. Either the manager isn't going to care, will tell OP that he'll talk to the instructor just to pacify her and nothing will change, or the manager will get annoyed that he's getting complaints from an unhappy member because the instructor isn't doing her job properly and will tell the instructor to shape up. He's not going to risk losing a member on some principle that she should have gone to the instructor first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you go over the instructors head, she is going to get a phone call about it where the very first thing she is going to say is that you haven't talked to her about it, and that is exactly what the gym manager is going to tell her to do.

Save yourself a step and do it in the right order.

Um, no, that's not what will happen. This isn't elementary school where you try to work out the problem with your friend before going to the teacher. Either the manager isn't going to care, will tell OP that he'll talk to the instructor just to pacify her and nothing will change, or the manager will get annoyed that he's getting complaints from an unhappy member because the instructor isn't doing her job properly and will tell the instructor to shape up. He's not going to risk losing a member on some principle that she should have gone to the instructor first.

Um, how do you know this, um.

[Anonymous]

No, you're not being petty. You are a paying customer and if the class starts at 0515 then that's when class should start. I wouldn't say anything to the instructor, I'd go above her.