If you're thinking this is going to be a pity party, then you're at the wrong house. As a fitness instructor you have to have a pretty thick skin. Sometimes people will come to your class for the first time, decide they hate it halfway through, and never give you a second chance. Sometimes people who have come to love your classes will suddenly stop coming. Rarely, people will tell you what they actually think of your classes, the good and bad of it.

A few weeks ago, some classes at my home YMCA branch became available and some of the participants were eagerly anticipating me to take over. Don't get me wrong, I love the work and the group, but I didn't want to jump in right away. I was hesitant for a few reasons, and even more so when I was offered one of the classes. I've taken the class on a trial basis over the next two weeks, and I'm finding it might be really important for me to stay.

My class this morning was not out of the ordinary. I decided to do floor barre which integrates dance, coordination, and stability.

From the get-go, I had one lady who was positively flabbergasted at the thought of doing barre without the bars (They're the freestanding type, and honestly I hate wasting time setting them up when I know they won't be used. I would rather spend that time having them sweat!). I reassured her that everything was going to be OK, and that it was definitely still going to be barre, just a different type. She gave me all of maybe 5 minutes after the warm-up before she high-tailed it.

Another lady came late to the party, and left after our plank work (a little more than halfway through).

Another lady was there as a first-timer. I welcomed her, paid attention to her. She left after our leg stretch (halfway through).

My class isn't for those ladies, and that's OK. Yes, my class is different. You can expect to work hard, sweat, be challenged, go home happy, and be sore later. For these reasons, I'm not everyone's cup of tea.

I don't teach the way I do for them.

I teach this way for people who want to make the most of their gym time. I may only get them for that one day a week, and I (and they) have to make sure it counts. Because really...

If you go to the gym for an hour to workout, and you don't sweat, what the hell are you doing?