based on my experience ,and only referencing the fitness classes I have personally attended. As a…read moreretired ftns instructor (now a certified nurse) I know what goes into a class to make it SAFE and effective. I made my safety observations and concerns known to the owner(wife) early in my brief membership, and was told to write reviews- Now mostly "missing". She then asked me to stop writing reviews and to bring my concerns to her personally- she admitted that safety is an issue and they are working on it- to date nothing's changed.
JUNE 9th, after an 0630hr class, I was verbally abused, bullied, and made to feel extremely uncomfortable and unsafe as her husband Dan, (a muscular man who towers over me) berated and yelled at me for my observations- that his wife requested me to write and then later to bring to her. He Accused me of "spreading negativity" in the gym??! Inaccurate - I had been extremely positive while participating in classes with the other members, some of whom ( including instructors) commented on how they appreciate the positive energy I exude.
To reiterate: I was asked by the owner to write my honest reviews- then asked to stop and only bring my concerns to her- as I stated b4 she admitted there is a safety issue and they are working on them... after being "verbally attacked" by her husband I no longer believe that they care, and or are concerned , with respect to safety.
My daughter who was injured in these classes-- they never cared or even asked asked how she was doing. When asked if the instructors are certified for teaching fitness , I have gotten three different answers. I know that the classes that I deemed unsafe would have never passed the certification for Canfitpro.
I've attended classes that provided absolutely no warmups, No stretching, contraindicated movements, no modifications, unsafe cuing, as well as no corrections (verbally and or physically) when clients were performing the exercises incorrectly , which can lead to injury. One particular contraindicated exercise that would never be taught by a properly trained/educated fitness instructor could have severely injured participants causing a trip
to the ER.
There are a select few (2) "fitness" instructors that were safe- my review is based on the fitness classes I have attended with different instructors that in my educated opinion should stick to teaching yoga.
Those who are already a member or deciding to become a member of Oxygen North Whitby, be aware that all fitness classes should have a warm up for muscle groups being used in the class, the work out portion with safety cues/corrections of body position and movements (ie, pelvic tilt chest high etc), the instructor observing movements and physically correcting those who are executing incorrectly, lots of modifications shown for all levels, permission to take the movement down, many cues for water breaks since these are performed in a heated room, a cool down to bring HR down before lying on mat and a guided stretch- not a statement of stretch on your own. it's up to the instructor to show you, the member, who are paying this gym $$$ to guide u through all stretches of muscle groups that have been used in the workout. For your own health, safety and well being- be verbal , advocate for yourself. Most of
my detailed safety concerns posted on the O2 app have been scrubbed therefore silenced. PLEASE, as someone who deeply cares and is passionate about safety and injury prevention for all people seeking to become physically healthy and fit- BEWARE of these fitness classes. Educate yourself on the basic fitness format, and what is expected/mandatory from all "certified " instructors.
Know that if you injure yourself due to the lack of knowledge/experience/ education by the instructor leading the class- this will be deemed YOUR fault bc you're the one who engaged in the exercise even if you were following the instructions- whether it was cued incorrectly, or you executed the move wrong.
There is a reasonable expectation when a client enters a fitness studio that the gym owners and instructors are well informed on safety measures to ensure that the clients get what they pay for- to improve their health, fitness and over-well being. Not to be used as Guinea pigs for inexperienced instructors- this is evidenced by my educated observations, the owner's admittance of safety being a problem and my daughter's injury. This gym, as friendly as they "appear to be" - the most friendliest gym I have ever experience-DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU.
RESEARCH what goes into a safe w/o, what is mandatory for a certified FITNESS instructor and ADVOCATE for this!! You don't need to take my educated opinion as someone who was certified for decades and taught at many gyms with high reviews from her clients and other certified instructors. Please do your own research, and above all please stay HEALTHY and SAFE!!!
