As an aerobics instructor at the White Building, I was very upset to read Allison Busacca's opinion of her "wicked stepmother" instructor ("Boot-camp style workouts lack effectiveness, enjoyment," Jan. 27).

While it is true the instructors try to encourage, motivate and push our participants to challenge themselves, I do not think any of us do so in a menacing fashion. I'm not sure why Busacca chose to berate her instructor in such a way. If that instructor's style weren't a perfect match for Busacca, she should try a class scheduled at a different time. She may not have found her perfect fit, but that class was probably motivating to a majority of the participants. Not only did Busacca criticize her expert instructor's style, but she also divulged that she and her friend laughed throughout half of the class they attended. So besides doing herself a disservice, she contributed to disrupting the whole class -- making it hard for others to concentrate and get an effective workout.

But what I find most disturbing about Busacca's piece is that her column was probably a great excuse for many would-be exercisers to skip the gym. It is hard enough for participants to get themselves out the door and to the gym, especially in cold weather. Reading a column such as this could only serve as a detriment to the health of not only an individual, but to the entire student body.