As you design your Circuit class, consider the population you are working with and the conditions they may be experiencing. The following conditions may need specific accommodations and additional cues for hydration and perceived exertion:
Vision Challenges
It is much easier to see your participants when they’re sitting. All your participants will stand in a Circuit class, and you need to “see and be seen.” Move across the front of the room frequently when choreography allows. Decreased line of sight or age-related vision changes also require extremely practiced and precise verbal cueing.
Heed Physician’s Advice
Follow all physician directives for any chronic condition that may need ongoing care and support from a health care professional.
Perceived Exertion (PE) and Hydration
Participants will be working harder and sweating more. Although you are required to cue a minimum of three times for hydration, encourage more water breaks (just keep those feet moving!).
Frequent perceived exertion checks help participants monitor intensity. We want everyone to finish the marathon, rather than a sprint. If participants overexert themselves and become discouraged, it may signal they need to choose a lower intensity exercise.
PE checks also provide feedback that instructors need to fine-tune choreography, modifications and cueing. If the first cardio segment produces very low or high numbers, perhaps the instructor needs to change the pace or complexity of movement.
The Environment
Pay attention to floor surfaces, lighting and temperature. Ensure that participants have adequate room for movement and check for any uneven surfaces. Temperature control and proper lighting are critical to maintaining a safe environment.
Two-Hour Rule
Follow the “Two-Hour Rule” if joint pain or discomfort lasts longer than two hours after a workout, subsequent workouts should be modified.
Exercise Modifications
Consider that although your participants may meet the functional criteria necessary for participation in Circuit, they will still represent a wide range of skills and abilities. Everyone can find a safe and challenging workout in Circuit – it is the instructor’s responsibility to plan for modifications for more- and less-skilled participants.
Hearing Challenges
Hearing-impaired members will rely heavily on your visual cues. Since “traveling” choreography is a popular option, make sure that you provide clear, visible visual cues whenever possible.
Practice/Rehearsal Time
As instructors, we often have classes we’ve taught for so long that we can make choices “on the fly” and improvise. A successful Circuit class requires that you prepare your class in advance, practice your combinations and transitions with visual cues, and plan your verbal cues to make them as concise and precise as possible. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse when launching a new class or new choreography.
Fitness Shoes
Encourage participants to wear fitness shoes with good lateral support and shock absorption qualities.