Chatty Cathys

[jcharry]

I was just reading the Powerful Words post, and toward the end the thread twisted toward something that struck close to home. How do you handle people who like to chat during class? It's disruptive to the other riders, it messes with everyone's focus, and I want to be diplomatic so as not to offend anyone. I had such a bunch of chatterboxes on Easter morning; I didn't think they'd ever settle down. I could see people on one side of the room casting glances at the offenders, so I know it bothered them. It pretty much stopped when we did some jumps - I think the transitions forced them to focus more. They were quieter after that. How do you handle this delicate situation?

~Judi

[spinnerpom]

If the whole class is chatty, I usually just give them a few minutes to settle in. If they're really going at it for some reason, I'll actually turn the music off and ask everyone if they're there to ride or chat? That usually gets the message accross.

As for a couple of disruptive talkers, and this has happened to me several times lately, it generally works like this:

First attempt: address the group with something like "OK, let's get focused on our ride, everyone."

Second attempt: If you're talking, you're not focused. OR If you're talking, you're not working.

Third attempt: OK, you two in the back, am I going to have to separate you?

Fourth attempt: (off bike, off mic) Hey, sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you guys to hold your conversation until after class; it's really distracting to other riders who are trying to get into the zone and enjoy the music.

Fifth attempt: (off bike, off mic) If you guys can't keep the conversation until after class, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

That's pretty much it. I wasn't comfortable with it at first, but I do it all the time now.

Your job is to provide a pleasant experience for your entire class and if a couple people are impeding that, it needs to be rectified.

A couple weeks ago during our 90 minute charity ride, I had 2 girls leave class halfway through tell my director on the way out that "they got yelled at for talking". When she asked me about it afterward and I said, "did you think I actually yelled at them?" She said, "no, I was pretty sure you hadn't, and I told them that talking is very distracting to other riders, and that if they want to talk while they ride, they should use the lifecycles." Nice to have support from the management!!!

Sara

[MsSpin]

I've had this happen on a couple of occasions. One time it was a couple of college-age guys and I had no problem telling them to cut the chatter. Another time it was two ladies and I tried joking about it ("Do I have to separate you two?"). Other times I've had to stand next to their bikes and keep the class going--different perspective, BTW.

[SOFLGAL]

It dosen't happen that often but when it does I go for the joking side and tell them that they will have to go in time out if they don't stop talking (I'm a teacher and they usually get a kick out of that).

Pom has good Ideas I would go with her approach. :)

[AC]

There is a side effect from instructors who ask for group responses...Like "How was that?" or "C'mon let's hear it". When and if you do a class like this, you ask for verbal responses, you can expect to also lose some control along the way.

I believe it's also in your own consistancy as to how you approach the group on a long term basis. I don't have many problems like this because I keep my own chatter economical, have the participants focus on form, breathing and internalizing (closing eyes, etc.), and don't elicit conversational responses from the group. If I don't ask you to talk, you probably won't expect to for the entire class.

[jala3]

Great topic. There was a similar post a few months back on another forum and I found this technique works the best...if you can't distract them from their conversation by redirecting their focus back to themselves (listen to your breathing, focus on your pedal stroke, etc.) I'll say "I see some of you have some extra energy to spare...I feel some sprints coming on!" I've only had to do that 2x, works like a charm!

[AC]

Sorry jala3, I don't agree that we find a punishment for people talking. You should have a profile and just work it. if you change it because of some chatty people, you are as distracted as the offenders.

You make the whole class do a movement that may not be suited to the class because a couple of people can't just shut up?

[Bike4ale]

There is a side effect from instructors who ask for group responses...Like "How was that?" or "C'mon let's hear it". When and if you do a class like this, you ask for verbal responses, you can expect to also lose some control along the way.

I never thought of it this way, but I completely agree with AC. Sure, sometimes it can be fun to get a group of rowdy riders whoopin' and hollerin' in class...but some of the best classes I've taught were when the members all seemed to be totally focused on the ride. Before we knew it the ride was over.

Funny, I used to play drums in a bar-type band. A couple of the band members used to get concerned when people weren't out on the dance floor drinking and singing to their favorite songs. Personally, I got more out of playing when I saw people at their tables really paying attention and appreciating the music. 8)

[spinnerpom]

Most of my riders wouldn't see sprints as punishment, anyway!!!

[gonzosgirl01]

Yup, sorry, but I'm w/Jala & spinnerpom here.
UNLESS you're JGSI & UNLESS you teach strictly by HRM, you don't know how hard/easy they're working anyway.

They can always drop speed/some resistance during a sprint anyway. Or not add when you tell them to. It IS their road after all, right? In the end, sprint "threats" (which I don't see them that way, BTW) only would "work" if you fosted them as a punishment. I think we all (Jala & spinnerpom included) see & teach them differently.

But hey, whatever shuts them up (esp. when they're interfering w/the rest of the class!!!), right?

[AC]

Great topic. There was a similar post a few months back on another forum and I found this technique works the best...if you can't distract them from their conversation by redirecting their focus back to themselves (listen to your breathing, focus on your pedal stroke, etc.) I'll say "I see some of you have some extra energy to spare...I feel some sprints coming on!" I've only had to do that 2x, works like a charm!

Here's the quote. Because talking=extra energy=need to sprint. I'm not following the intellectual progression for a group fitness class here. If you planned to include sprinting, what difference does chatter make? Whether the group is rude or not is unrelated to what you present for the workout. There should be some other skills you can master that will enable you to hold a group of adults who came to work out to begin with.

When did "Please be quiet now" not work?

[gonzosgirl01]

AC:
"Please be quiet" rolls like water off a duck's ass in my class.

Unlike Jala (just cuz I'm not prepared for sprints, NOT cuz I don't like the idea), I'll make a hill a bit more aggressive, cueing to stay inside the HR parameters I've established.

Sometimes, taking it to the next level is all that WILL shut up the chatty folks.

Just my dime. I quit giving .02 a loooooong time ago.

Ok ok, good debate but AC please re-read my post. "I feel sprints coming on" not "now you will sprint"! I have never used any type of movement as a punnishment, I've just brought attention to the fact that they are not focusing and I (and the rest of the class) know they are not focusing. So to clear up my original post...I have not made them sprint I've just used that phrase a few times to help end the distraction.

[jala3]

Sorry, I wasn't signed in. I just posted the above.
Jeannie

[AC]

I guess it's all in the way we say and do things in the context of the moment. I'm a male, a bit more physically imposing than average, so if I walked up to you and in a firm tone said, "Please be quiet now" with a serious look on my face, it might have more impact than the average person, however, I don't see any excuse for accepting uncivilized and disrespectful behavior regardless of age or gender.

It's one thing to pedal at a faster cadence than I asked for, or to stand for a climb if I ask you to sit. But under no circumstance should you accept disruptive behavior and the control factor should have nothing to do with the profile of the class. It's in the inherent respect you shoud exact for getting hired to do the class in the first place. It's an inherent lesson you need to learn, not only in a Spinning class, but in whatever job you enter into in your own career outside of fitness. When you are hired to be the "cop on the beat", you ask for and receive the respect from the area you operate in.

AC you forgot to tell them about your x-ray eyes!!

spin-up

[gonzosgirl01]

Well said, AC!

Can you come stare down some folks in my class? :D I don't guess I'm very intimidating!

[greentea]

After the warm up try "Please be respectful of those who are ready to work."

When they realize that I am implying that they are being rude they hush.

[jala3]

AC I totally agree, I tend however to approach the situation on a lighter level. I have been teaching group ex for almost 13yrs, personal training for 5 and cycling for 1 so believe me when I say I know how easy it is to "lose control" of the group. I feel that the chemistry between instructor and group is best when everyone is positive, so in my experiences I've found that directly asking for silence will make the offender(s) feel uncomfortable. If someone was being downright rude I would speak directly to them off mic if need be, I've never had to do that in cycle. In all of my classes I do have many regulars which creates chattiness because they see eachother in class, but they know that when the music begins so do we. Talking stops, work begins.
Jeannie

I have a solution that works 100% of the time.

Ask them to do the nose only breathing drill :lol:

[Guest]

I look around the class and focus my eye's on the chatty cathy's until they realize "Hmmm, she's not saying anything and she's looking at us." They usually get the hint. I've never had to get off my bike or come right out and tell them to be quiet. I do say, however, "Up ahead during this ride is not the opportunity to talk, but your opportunity to stay mentally disciplined. It has always worked for me anyway.