A great group class depends on more than a good trainer and a good playlist. It also comes down to how everyone in the room behaves towards each other. Everyone gets more out of a session when people arrive on time and encourage each other.
None of this is complicated, and nobody expects you to know it all on your first day. Think of this post as a friendly guide to the unwritten rules of group fitness, so you can feel confident walking into any class at MPower.
Before class
Arrive a few minutes early
Getting there 5 to 10 minutes before the start gives you time to fit your Myzone strap and get settled. If you're new, aim for a bit earlier so you can meet the trainer.
Arriving after the warm-up has started means you miss part of the preparation your body needs. It can also interrupt the trainer while they're explaining the session. Running late happens. Slip in without fuss and check with the trainer before joining in, since they may want you to do a quick warm-up of your own.
Tell the trainer what they need to know
Let the trainer know before class if you have an injury or are feeling unwell. The same goes if you're pregnant or returning after time off. MPower trainers offer modifications and challenges suited to each person, and a quick chat at the start means they can plan for you. Anyone with a medical condition or injury should check with their GP or physio before training.
Silence your phone
A phone ringing mid-round is distracting for everyone. Switch it to silent and put it with your bag. If you need to be reachable, for a family reason for example, mention it to the trainer and keep the phone somewhere you can check without disturbing anyone.
Go easy on fragrance
Wear deodorant but skip heavy perfume before class. In a warm room full of people breathing hard, strong scents can be unpleasant, and some people react to them.
During class
Listen to the trainer
Group classes run on timing. Stop and watch when the trainer is explaining the next drill or demonstrating a movement. It means you'll do the exercise correctly, and the class can move on without repeating instructions.
Stay in your own space
Boxing and strength work need room. Keep an arm's length or more between you and others, especially when you're punching a bag or moving weights. Watch out for bags that swing after being hit, and don't walk directly behind someone who is mid-round.
Use equipment as instructed
Use the equipment the way the trainer has shown you, and ask if you're not sure. Don't drop weights unless the trainer says it's fine for that exercise, and return equipment to where it belongs when you're done or when the trainer asks.
Work at your own level
Everyone in the room is working at a different level, and Myzone reflects that. Your colours are based on your own heart rate, so there's no reason to compare yourself with anyone else or to push past what's safe for you. Equally, if you're feeling strong, take the harder option without worrying that you look like a show-off.
Leave the coaching to the coaches
If you notice someone doing a movement differently, let the trainer handle it. Unrequested tips from another member, even well-meant, can feel awkward. If someone asks you for help, of course, share what you've learned.
Working with a partner
If a drill pairs you with someone, introduce yourself and agree on the plan before you start. Check whether they want you to go faster or slower. If you're holding equipment for someone, follow the trainer's instructions on positioning, and keep the focus on safety over speed.
Encourage each other
A quick "good work" or a cheer at the end of a hard round can make a big difference to someone who is struggling. Encouragement is a big part of what makes group training fun, and it costs nothing.
Hygiene and gear
Bring a towel
Sweat ends up on the bags and bike seats, along with anything else you touch. Use your towel to wipe your face and hands, and to wipe down any equipment you've sweated on when you're finished, following whatever cleaning routine the trainer asks for.
Look after your gloves
Your gloves go through a lot. Open them up after class and let them dry fully at home rather than leaving them zipped in a bag. Damp gloves get smelly fast. If you wear hand wraps, wash them regularly.
Keep your water bottle handy
Bring a full bottle to every class and keep it near your station, out of walkways where people might trip over it.
Stay home if you're sick
If you have a cold or anything contagious, rest at home. You'll recover faster, and you won't pass it on to anyone else in class.
After class
Help pack up
If the trainer asks for equipment to go back in place, lend a hand. A few seconds from everyone means the next class can start on time.
Leave space for the next group
When another class starts straight after yours, gather your things and move out of the training area so the next group can set up. Conversations can continue outside the main space.
Be considerate in the car park
The studio has free off-street parking. Park within any marked spaces and avoid blocking other cars. Keep noise down early in the morning and late in the evening for nearby neighbours.
What if you get it wrong?
Everyone gets something wrong at some stage, such as turning up late or going the wrong way in a drill. Apologise if you need to, and carry on. MPower describes its classes as having no egos and no judgement, and that goes both ways. A friendly, forgiving atmosphere is part of what makes the community welcoming for new people.
Join the class
Good etiquette makes every session better, and it's part of what makes a group feel like a community. If you're ready to see how an MPower class runs, pick a session on the timetable. New members can claim the 2 weeks free offer on the membership page, which includes free boxing gloves and a $0 joining fee.
