Tensions between provision of instructor expertise and fear of unrealistic expectations
Perceptions regarding professional exercise instructors influenced participants’ commitment and engagement with the volunteer-led intervention. Some participants preferred the expertise of a qualified instructor, especially those who wanted specialist support for health conditions. However, participants also expressed feeling self-conscious exercising with qualified instructors and perceived that they may have unrealistic exercise expectations through a lack of empathy for older people, particularly in the capabilities of older people to perform certain exercises or achieve certain goals. Comparatively, the exercise volunteers at the social clubs were a similar age and ability, which enhanced participant motivation and confidence (detailed in the 