Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

Observation One Wednesday, September 5th, 2013 Time: 5:00PM-5:30PM Description of the Location: The group fitness room is located on the lower level of the Student Activities Center at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The room includes one large open space and a smaller storage room for workout and stereo equipment. The larger space contains two wide mirrors that extend the length of the front wall. This main space has hardwood floors for easy mobility and multiple ceiling fans for air circulation. The storage room is essential to providing music for the instructors and is only used by the participants when they are instructed to get additional equipment. At the main entrance, there is a sign-in table and a bulletin board. The side walls provide alternate double-door exits and space for equipment. The right side wall spaces the most equipment besides the storage room. On this wall are 18-20 medicine balls, over 30 different resistance bands that vary in difficulty by their color, and mats for floor work. On the back wall, there is an additional rack that holds 13-15 medicine balls, and a dispenser of Clorox wipes for disinfecting equipment. Upon entering the group fitness room, participants form rows facing the front and sit or stand depending on the fitness class.
Comment [J1]: The map helps add a visual if you have never been to a group fitness class before.

Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1. Floor plan of the group fitness room.

Figured World: A figured world is a socially and culturally created space with its own standards for suitable behavior and manners. Rules and Conventions for Appropriate Behavior:
The group fitness room provides space to hold classes such as Yoga, Pilates, Salsa, Kickboxing, and Zumba. I will focus on three classes that take place in the group fitness room: Yoga, Zumba, and Super Abs. I have chosen these three specific classes because they show an example of three different kinds of exercise classes: Muscular, Intermittent, and Mind/body. To enter the gym, one must show their 49er express card. And To be able and participate in group fitness you must first sign the pink waiver.

Yoga is an example of a mind and body fitness class. When Yoga is in session the group fitness room becomes a place of serenity and invokes energy flow. Because of the sedate atmosphere, certain behaviors and rules are implied. For example, in comparison to a loud partylike Zumba class, Yoga participants are silent through the majority of the class. Loud distractions are inappropriate as well as walking out during the middle of the session. Coming in late is unacceptable. Commonalities found within the Yoga class are actors with there own personal mats and proper attire. The description of Contrary to Yoga, Super Abs is a muscular fitness class. Unlike in Yoga, in Super Abs it is acceptable and even encouraged, to vent your anger towards the teacher. Inappropriate behavior includes: leaving during the session, not responding when asked questions by the instructor, stopping during a repetition, and not giving it your all! It is understood if you come in

Comment [J2]: This is good. The description of each class leads you up to what to except before you get to the observation.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

late not to go to the front because you can interfere with other people being able too see the instructor as well as interrupting their focus. Super Abs brings a more diverse group of participants with a more equal ratio of men to women. Commonalties within this group fitness class include a strong passion towards proving ones endurance. Lastly, Zumba is an intermittent fitness class that combines the laws of aerobics with the laws of interval training. As far as appropriateness, Zumba is the most lenient because the objective is to have fun while burning calories. An anonymous Zumba instructor stated, There are no mistakes in Zumba only unexpected solos. In appropriate behaviors include: leaving during the session, making fun of other dancers, and not being courteous of others space. The same rules apply with entering late as with Super Abs.A common discourse community within the Zumba population is dancers. Because Zumba is a lain-inspired dance fitness class, it attracts many performers. Actors: are persons whose roles are of significance in the space of practice and begin to embody or become synonymous to the figured world. This list only contains the actors pertaining to the classes I in that observation. Rachel Whitley: Rachel is a junior exercise science major at the university. In addition to teaching super abs, she teaches body pump and 49erX as well. Rachel loves to inspire people and help them reach their goals they would have trouble reaching on their own. She states, Fitness has always been a huge part of my life, and I love being able o share that with others.
Comment [J3]: You need to add more actors. Include the number of participants as a start. If you are participating in the class you can add yourself as a actor.

Artifacts: are physical objects or conceptual materials used in relation to the space or by the actors. Instructors Headset: Every instructor must use this headset when instructing a group fitness class. It provides clarity for the participants and establishes authority to the instructor. Floor Mats: Each participant and the instructor use mats for comfort and ease. The mat assumes ones space for that fitness class. Rachels Watch: Rachels watch controls the tempo of the class and allows her to give the class cues for the remaining time for certain exercises.

Discourse Communities: are groups that share common traits and ways of interacting within the Figured world. People on Collegiate Teams: During my observation I noticed a group of 4-5 guys with collegiate shirts on that participated in the group fitness class. This group of men were very intense and driven throughout the entire workout. Group Fitness Instructors: Oksana and Stephanie are both zumba instructors that still participate in other group fitness classes.
Comment [J4]: As a suggestion here, you can add peoples goals, and how they hope to achieve them. Comment [J5]: An example of literacy practices in our theorizing reading included correcting people when they spoke incorrectly. Use that example to help guide your literacy practices.

Literacy Practices: include the construction of knowledge, values, attitudes, beliefs and feelings associated with performing in a particular world. Are you Breathing: Rachel asks this question repeatedly throughout the class to monitor heart rate and to reinforce that the participants are not overworking themselves. It is an essential practice for any group fitness instructor.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

The Observation: 4:59-5:00 Participants enter the group fitness room and sign the pink waiver. They then continue to get a mat from the wall and seat down. Participants coming in late mimic what they see and immediately get a mat. A few people stagger in later and go to the back. The participants quietly wait for the instructor. Since it is not the time to start yet the instructor plays fast beat music to get the environment more relaxed. The instructor now walks back into the room. She previously was in the back where the speakers are to control the music. She walks from the back through the center of the room and has a speaker on and continues to introduce herself. She is standing while the participants are sitting. The instructor introduces herself as Rachel. She is very assertive but not overly serious. To lighten the mood, she makes a quick joke. The instructor continues to tell the participants about the class and then instructs them to stand up 5:00-5:02 Rachel explains the main rule: to respond when she asks if you are breathing. Rachel begins to lead the warm up, which is one minute of burbies. Observing I notice that all the guys add a push up to their burbies while the majority of the girls dont not. Towards the end people begin to eliminate the push-up. Rachels informs us when there are 45 seconds, 30 seconds, 15 seconds, and the final 3seconds. 5:03-5:05 Rachel announces that it is time to do crunches and gives an example for the proper way to complete one. The participants then mimic what they have just seen. The pace is different for each individual. Some people go by the flow of the music. The more exhausted participants already try to take break. Stopping is not appropriate. Rachel enforces participants to keep going by giving them a count of the remaining time and using phrases such as hold it and almost there. Rachel interacts by participating in the moves and walking around to make sure everyone is breathing and doing the moves correctly. Repetition of the crunches continue, adding variations such as pulsing and then holding. The only appropriate time to stop is when instructed to relax. 5:05-5:07 Rachel explains another position consisting of laying flat on your back and using your core to reach up and touch you toes. The participants seem to respond more positively to the less straining core exercise and complete it with out groans. However, after the final 3 countdowns, Rachel informs the class to flip over and go into the plank position. This command results in a more negative responds from the participants, for they are slower to react and turn over. Seeing that the class in now struggling, Rachel gives some variations to the plank position to make it easier on the body. Rachel also gives proper technique suggestions while the participants are still in the plank position. The participants continue to struggle in plank position. However, Rachel takes the move a step further and instructs the class to go into side plank position. This position is harder and most people go at a much slower pace than Rachel. 5:07-5:09 When Rachel ask the class if everyone is breathing the right side does not respond as loud. When she asks the right side a second consecutive time they still fail to respond the way she would like. So Rachel makes the right side only hold the plank position for an additional 20 seconds. When she asks them a third time if they are breathing she gets a much better response.

Comment [J6]: The observations are very indepth.

Comment [J7]: Give a definition of some of the fitness terms. If you are not familiar with fitness workouts, this can be confusing.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

The group then together goes back into plank position. After resting from plank pose, Rachel introduces the next move. The class engages in45 seconds of V Sits: a Pilates move including engaging the core to stabilize yourself. Rachel encourages the class to push them selves and no one falls. 5:09-5:11 Rachel asks if everyone is breathing and then starts the second set of V Sits. The class is exhausted compared to the beginning of the class, but continue to push through the last set of V sits. Counting down the time appears to help ease the workout. Rachel then tells the class to go back into plank. 5:12-5:15 Finishing planks, Rachel moves into more advanced side planks. Rachel demonstrates the different levels to a side plank and then gives the class 8 seconds to decide on the level they want to attempt. 7 out of the 8 guys carry out the side plank at the hardest level and are able to hold it the entire time. The ladies in the front row attempt the hardest level and then some result to the medium level. Participants in the back attempt the hardest level but the reduce the easiest level when they are not able to establish their equilibrium. 5:15-5:18 Rachel starts to bring the level of intensity of the workout down. She demonstrates a superman. A superman is done flat on your stomach and then by raising your arms and thighs off of the mat. We repeat this move with short rest periods in between. The class responds by doing the move with ease but more intensity. 5:18-5:21 Rachel informs the class that it is the final stretch of the workout and that there are only 5 minutes remaining. For the last move she demonstrates a rocker. She also gives a variation to the rocker, which is 6 inches. Both exercises involve laying on you back and extending your legs 6inches form the floor. When doing a rocker, one raises their feet and the attempts to rock the body back and forth with their shoulders off of the mat. 5:21-5:25 Rachel inform the class that they have made it through the workout and to go into upward dog position to stretch out the core. She then tells the class to come to her if they have questions and to wipe down their mats. The participants simultaneously walk over to the back wall to get Clorox wipes and wipe down their mat before placing back in the proper position. The Class then exits the group fitness room.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

Observation Two Sunday, September 8th 2013 4:57-5:28 Actors: Oksana Kyper: Oksana is a Russian instructor that teaches Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, Yogalates, and Super Abs. Oksana states she loves to teach because it keeps her alive and energetic. Teaching gives her the incentive to keep her mind open to learn more about fitness so she can share her classes and apply it to her life as an example.

Artifacts: Oksana Kyper Zumba Attire: Zumba attire identifies her as the instructor. Oksanas outfit attracts the participants attention and gets them prepared when she walks inside the group fitness room. Instructors Headset: Every instructor must use this headset when instructing a group fitness class. It provides clarity for the participants and establishes authority to the instructor. Speakers: The speakers in the room are important to zumba, because zumba utilizes music to set the atmosphere for the class. Thus, the speakers amplify sound and generate a positive classroom mode.
Comment [J8]: Adding a description to what the Zumba attire looks like and why it is attractive will help here.

Discourse Communities: Roommates and friends: Roommates and friends form groups of 2-3 and make small circles within the group fitness room. They tend to stand next to each other throughout the entire class. They generally look to be having the most fun and encourage one another during the class. Beginners: People that have not attended Oksanas class are usually identified at the beginning of class. They typically do not feel comfortable and linger towards the back of the class and do not rotate. Dancers: Because Zumba is a lain-inspired dance fitness class, it attracts many performers.

Literacy Practices: Repeating dance moves: Oksana uses a few dance moves consistently throughout each songs to get the participants comfortably with the dance moves and not discouraged in routines.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

The Observation 4:57- 5:00 The participants gather in the group fitness room. A small line forms as people continue to come in and sign the participation wavier. The instructor has not arrived, so small groups of 2-3 form and chatter among themselves. Some individuals begin to stretch in place, while the remaining people quietly stare at themselves in the mirror. 5:01-5:03 Late for class, Oksana runs in the room and proceeds to the storage closet to get the music prepared for the class. A minute later she walks out and welcomes everyone to Zumba. Shouts and calls are exclaimed from a few of the excited participants. Oksana resumes and introduces herself and ask if anyone if new to Zumba. Yells and roars are shouted again by those that are new but also eager to dance. 5:04-5:06 Oksana begins to lead the class in the warm up. The song has a strong African feel to it because of the drums in the background. Thus, many of the dance moves have an African influence to them. The warm-up consists of toe-touch movements to slowly warm the body up. Oksana dance cues are primarily non-verbal, but she speaks when introducing a new move. The class remains attentive and mirrors her movements. 5:07-5:09 The warm-up song begins to get faster as Oksana instructs the class through the dance moves. To keep the class motivated Oksana says, Looking good! Oksana also performs a verbal heart rate monitoring test by asking the class if they are breathing. The majority of the class does not respond to the question. However, the song ends. 5:09- 5:11 Since the song has ended, Oskana instructs the front line to go to the back of the room, and for the back line to come to the front of the room. Confused by her instructions, must participants stay in their current place. Oksana leaves to changes songs and small groups begin talking again. But, most of the class stares at the mirror and waits for the instructors return. 5:12- 5:17 Oksana announces the next song and dance which is a salsa song named Dekole. When the beat of the song is heard it immediately restores the energetic mood that was lost during the long warm-up. Oksana emerges from the storage closet clapping to engage the class. Oksana usage of basic moves allows the class to easily catch on and they respond with smiles and laughs while dancing. At the end of the songs the class starts clapping to show their satisfaction. 5:17- 5:21 The next song plays directly after the previous one. It is a funky reggatone named Zumba He Zumba Ha. Oksana directs the front row to the back, and the back line comes to the front. Enthusiastic dancers that enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror try to avoid going to the back by moving further to the side in the front row. For the second time, Oksana commences the dance with clapping. The primary moves in this routine are the beto shuffle, and the reggatone stomp. 5:21-5:24 After Zumba He Zumba Ha ends, the energy in the room decreases. Some participants quietly pack their belongings and leave out the front door. Nonetheless, the next piece Oksana teaches is to a belly dancing song. The dance moves possess an Arabian quality, but Oksana repeats particular moves she has done three or four times already within the hour. The dance is slower to allow the class to rest but they appear to be bored.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

5:25-5:28 Oksana has the lines rotate while another reggatone song, Zumba Mami, starts playing. The fast beat seems to get the participants pumped up. Also, the quick past of the moves challenges the class. Oksana make cue noises to signal dance moves. Oksana continues to repeat various moves from previous moves while adding variations to the versus in the songs.

Observation Three Monday, September 9th 2013 8:00-8:30 Discourse Communities: Intermediate (repeat) participants: follow with their eyes closed and move according to the name of the move Beginners: look up at Bethany for a demonstration on the move and often invert to childs pose when quickly exhausted. Actors: Bethany Massman: Bethany is the assistant director of fitness for recreational services. She is in charge of hiring instructors for group fitness classes. In addition, Bethany is one of the yoga instructors for group fitness. Artifacts: Instructors Headset: Every instructor must use this headset when instructing a group fitness class. It provides clarity for the participants and establishes authority to the instructor. Speakers: The speakers in the room are important to yoga, because its creates a soothing atmosphere for relaxation and positive energy flow. Yoga Mats: Yoga mats are provided to participants and are usually practiced on bare foot. Yoga block: yoga blocks help increase flexibility and stabilize ones balance during poses. Literacy Practices: Bethanys speaking tone: Bethany instructs is a soft relaxed voice that meshes with the class environment and reinforces the tranquility created in the figured world. Terminology: Childs Pose: Is a resting pose. It is perform by kneeling on the floor, with ones big toes touching each other and the knees spread hip-width apart. The arms are extended above ones head. Cow Pose: Allows the spine to warm-up. It is executed by making a tabletop position on ones hands and knees. On the inhale, lifting ones chest toward the ceiling and extending the neck. The pose if often paired with cat pose. Cat Pose: Allows the spine to warm-up and is often paired with cow pose. It is executed by rounding the spine on the exhale when in tabletop position.
Comment [J9]: I liked how you added the definitions of some yoga poses before going into the observation.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

Plank Pose: Teaches one how to hold the self together while strengthening the core. It is performed by holding the push-up position. Upward- Facing Dog: Is a resting pose. It is executed lying prone on the floor, stretching ones legs back, with the tops of the feet on the floor. Bending the elbows and spreading the palms on the floor beside the waist, so that the forearms are relatively perpendicular to the floor. Downward-Facing Dog: Is a resting pose. It can be perform from plank by pushing back with the arms and knees. The arms and legs should be extended. Sun Salutation: Is a flowing series of poses including warrior 1, 2, and 3. Warrior 1: Is executed by raising the arms perpendicular to the floor while the legs are in a lung position with the back leg angled 45 degrees. Warrior 2: Is executed by raising the arms parallel to the floor and anchoring the hips parallel to the arms. The back leg should be angled 45 degrees Warrior 3: Is executed directly from warrior 2 by raising the front arm over the head and gazing upward.

The Observation 8:00-8:04 Upon walking in the group fitness room, soft tranquil music is heard. Yoga participants are walking around acquiring yoga mats, blocks, and Clorox disinfectant wipes. The room is in transition from the previous group fitness class, Super Abs. The atmosphere quickly changes and becomes more composed as the louder Super Abs crowd leaves the room. 8:05- 8:06 Once the class is settled, and their attention is geared towards the front of the room, Bethany enters from the back of the room instructing the class to let their eyes flutter shut and began taking deep inhales and long exhales. The participants all appear comfortable in the environment and do as Bethany instructs. Bethany then moves into childs pose and the class follows. 8:06- 8:07 Bethany moves the class into a series of Cat and Cow poses. While demonstrating how the move should look, she also describes how the back and neck should move. The class responds by repeating the move at their own pace. 8:08- 8:12 Gradually bringing up the heart rate and warming up the body, Bethany instructs the class to move into a plank position. This move illuminates participants in the room that are beginners and those that are more intermediate students. Girls in the back of the room struggle to hold up their body weight. From plank position, the class smoothly transfers into upward-acing dog position and then back into childs pose. This combination is repeated four times. 8:12- 8:13 The class performs the first downward-facing dog of the session. Quickly into the downward-facing dog pose, four girls in the back row begin to instantly struggle and result to childs pose. The class remainder of the class continues to hold the downward- facing dog position.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

8:13- 8:15 Coming out of plank pose, Bethany moves the class into a standing up right position. The class seems needed of a break from the mat work. Giving the arms a rest, Bethany instructs the class in a series of back-strengthening poses. 8:15- 8:18 Bethany resumes back to downward-facing dog. Most participants hold the position better than the first time. Bethany adds on variations to this pose. The class repeats this combination of back-strengthening poses and the downward dog position. 8:19- 8:21 Bethany begins to lead the class into sun salutation. The first position is warrior one. While holding this position, it is obvious that yoga is not only a mind workout but also challenging on the body. Beginners watch intermediate participants to fix their positioning. 8:22- 8:25 The class performs warrior two and appear more comfortable doing this pose. The energy flow of the class is still calm as the music changes to classical tunes. While doing the poses in sun salutation, no participants restore to childs pose. 8:25- 8:27 Warrior 3 is performed with a combination of planks and back-strengthening poses. The class moves more simultaneously as they grasp a hold of the moves. Bethany continues to describe each move as she demonstrates them. 8:27- 8:30 Warrior 3 is performed but then Bethany transitions out of warrior three into triangle position. When Bethany gives harder variations to the move, most student attempt to do it. The move is then ended with a combination of planks and upwards-facing dog poses.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

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Comment [J10]: The chart helps give an visual image to the class ratio.

Survey A survey was taken between 5 guys and 5 girls that participate in group fitness classes. Below are the results to what they indicates as their favorite group fitness class. They had three options: Zumba, Yoga, or Super Abs.

Table 1.1. This chart shows which group fitness classes are more preferred by both men and women.

Table 1.1.

Favorite Group Fitness Class

The chart shows that super abs has a more diverse group of participants, whereas Zumba is a predominately female class.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

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The following are Question and Answer interviews. They were conducted to group fitness participants. Interview 1 Jasmine Williams: Zumba Participant Thursday, September 12th, 2013 Question: Can you first state your name, classification, and favorite group fitness class? Answer: My name is Jasmine. I am a sophomore. And my favorite group fitness class is Zumba. Question: Tell me why you choose to participant in group fitness classes? Answer: I choose to participate in group fitness classes because they are fun. They are not boring. They can get a little boring with the same routines. I like having variety. Question: Can you expand on that with examples? Answer: Its mainly because I do not have to do the same thing over and over again. I can do something different. Question: What inspires you to continue attending group fitness classes? Answer: The fun and the excitement. And all of the dance moves because I personally like dancing. Question: If you could change anything about any group fitness class, then what would it be? Answer: I would definitely change HABIT. Not HABIT plus but HABIT. Because of the amount of reps you do it hurts. A lot. It hurts like death hurt. Question: Explain your relationship with the group fitness instructors? Answer: On a personal level, I do not have a personal relationship with them. Its more if they have energy, then it makes me want to have energy when it comes to exercising and whatever routine they are trying to teach me. If they are excited about it, so am I. Question: Explain what your goals are by attending group fitness classes? Answer: My main goal when attending group fitness classes it to lose weight without thinking about it.

Observation Assignment Site Location: Group Fitness Room

Myers

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Interview 2 AJ Davis: Zumba Participant Tuesday, September 17, 2013 Question: Can you first state your name, classification, and favorite group fitness class? Answer: Hi my name is AJ Davis. Im a sophomore. And my favorite group fitness class is Zumba. Question: Tell me why you choose to participant in group fitness classes? Answer: I choose to participate in group fitness classes because I am a very fun person. I like to go and get motivate. I like to workout and not have to think of a workout in my head. Question: What inspires you to continue attending group fitness classes? Answer: The ladies. I do it for the ladies. I put in work on my body for the ladies. I practice for the ladies. Question: If you could change anything about any group fitness class, then what would it be? Answer: I would add on more group fitness classes because I look at the schedules and they are many times when there are open gaps, especially on the weekends. So I feel like there should be more classes. Question: Explain your relationship with the group fitness instructors? Answer: I love the group fitness instructors and they love me. Question: Explain what your goals are by attending group fitness classes? Answer: I want to see progress. I want to see work being done. If I go to Zumba, I want my legs to be built, and I want my arms to be toned... Also, I am a dancer and it builds stamina. For classes like super abs, I go because I want to look sexy for the beach. End Comments:
Comment [J11]: This looks good. It is very detailed.