Well, after a nasty bout with the flu, I am happy to say that I am back. It feels good to have the endorphins running through my system once more. I really do miss the feeling you achieve after a good workout.

It seems like Summer is trying to peak out. The rains have cleared, albeit temporarily, and the sun has come out to grace us with its presence. This is the season where the gym empties out. Most of the health club chains expect and bank on the fact that the membership will continue to pay their monthly dues BUT not come to the fascilities. Most of us who work there expect the attendance to dwindle and some of us even pray that nobody will come to class. You may wonder why some of us enjoy not having people in class. The truth is that we get paid whether 2, 20, 200, or ZERO people show up for class.

Members often think that instructors get offended if they leave class. In truth, most new instructors or extremely insecure ones do take it personally when a member leaves in the middle of class. Some go as far as to publically humiliate the member as they are leaving the room. Us seasoned/jaded veterans could care less if you leave. Actually, that is not true; we do care if you leave WITHOUT putting your equipment away. The last thing we want to do is clean up after you.

As an instructor, I personally do not need a reason for your quitting my class. I don't need to hear why during, before, or after. Your decisions are yours. If you leave because you hate my class, fine. If you leave because you hate me, better; think of me as just your instructor, not your friend. I don't even care if you do like me; I am here to teach not make life-long friendships.

My personal favorite is when a member comes up to me in the beginning of class and tells me not to get offended if they leave early. My response to them is "Don't worry, your leaving won't offend me at all." It really seems to unnerve some members when I indicate that their presence in my class has no effect on me or my well-being. Some of them get caught so off-guard that they kinda stand there for a moment wondering if that was meant to be some kind of dig toward them.

On some really bad days, I even remind the people who take my class that whether or not they show up, I still get paid the same amount of money for teaching the class. I have gotten into trouble from my supervisors for saying this. I came up with this retort after thinking about why a member would bother coming up to me before class to tell me that I should not take it personally if they leave. Does a member really think that they have so much power over us that their presence makes or breaks our day? And if I do take it personally, isn't that my perogative? Do I need their permission? Am I that ignorant that I cannot control my feelings?

With all that said, I have made some great friends at the gym. I have even made some great acquaintances. The people who come to class for class are my favorites. They come when they can, they don't when they can't, without any excuses. I love it when a member decides that they have had enough of my class for a while and stop coming only to return a few months later without any excuses. I appreciate the people who can make decisions about their gym attendance on their own and not think that their absence makes a difference to anyone else. Although I appreciate each and every member who attends my class, I do understand that they are human beings and individuals who can make adult decisions as to when they want to come to the gym. I don't expect 100% attendance nor do I expect that I am affecting their lives beyond the physical benefits of taking my class. They should not expect that their attendance affects mine. Later.  ¶ 11:17 PM