When Students Fool Around With the Gym’s Sound System

I sent this SMS to Arnold Warren, the current head of the Body Jam Program, on 28 October 2006, “I attended the 1-2pm Body Jam class at Fitness First Metro East where 2 clients started fiddling with the sound system’s controls while the class was ongoing. First, to adjust the volume up even though the instructor had no mike; second, to adjust the pitch control up, which raised concerns about safety guidelines regarding music speed.

“I talked with the instructor after the class about my safety concerns. He said he didn’t realize that they had adjusted the pitch control. Afterwards, the instructor who handled the class before the Body Jam class approached me to say that she had lowered the pitch control during her cool down and forgot to adjust it, so she had requested a Body Jammer, who was a future instructor, to fix the pitch control.

“May I suggest that only clearly designated Fitness First personnel be allowed to handle the sound system so as not to create the impression that anyone can do it? It looks so unprofessional otherwise. Thank you.”

Arnold was kind enough to reply, “Students are not supposed to fiddle with the sound system. Thank you for the info.”

Safety Guidelines Re Music Speed Just in case you didn’t know, there are international guidelines re music speed to ensure the students’ safety during a group exercise class.

This was developed after the fitness craze in the 80’s when chronic injuries (injuries that developed because of the repetitive use of a muscle or joint over a prolonged period of time) occurred because of non-existent guidelines in the fitness industry.

The fitness instructor is burdened with the responsibility of ensuring safety in his class. To allow anyone to put any question regarding the integrity of his class is dangerous and most unprofessional.

The good thing with this particular situation is that the music was indeed, in the end, found to be within safety guidelines. But the fitness instructor’s professionalism was brought into question because he allowed a couple of clients, with whom he obviously had a personal relationship with, be put under scrutiny.

As clients and instructors, let’s maintain a professional demeanor during the group exercise class. Let’s all assist in maintaining a certain level of friendly interaction that still borders on respect and follows protocol.

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