The Powerful Benefits of Group Fitness Classes
Are you new to fitness? Maybe you’re trying to get back in shape? Perhaps you are just someone who is looking for some new ways to stay healthy and fit. Whatever the reason, a group fitness class can be the perfect solution to help you stay motivated and reach your fitness goals!
Group exercise classes are more than the loud music, fast movements and shouts of encouragement that are heard from inside of the fitness room. These one-hour blocks of time offer social inclusion opportunities, health benefits, and emotional support.
Whether its kickboxing, Zumba, aqua circuit, yoga or spin, participating in a group exercise class will challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and try exercises that you wouldn’t regularly perform on your own.
While any kind of exercise is a win-win for your health and well-being, getting active in a group setting has so many powerful beneficial effects. Here are just a few!
Find Your Drive
Action drives motivation – not the other way around. Translation? Sometimes you just won’t feel like working out, and that’s okay. Simply showing up to a group fitness class can change your mindset. The energy that comes from a room full of gym enthusiasts all setting out to achieve similar fitness goals can be all the motivation you need to push through a class.
Accountability and Support
A group exercise setting offers support and helps hold you accountable! If you attend class regularly, the instructor and other participants notice when you’re absent. Is it because they are nosey? Well, maybe a little bit, but mostly it’s because they care!
Attending classes regularly can help boost your adherence and form a lasting habit. The group holds you accountable in a way that simply going to the gym on your own can’t. One study found that people who participate in group workouts tend to adopt the healthier behaviors of those they exercise with, while another notes that those who are overweight experience a more significant weight loss if they socialize with a more fit community.
Build Your Tribe
Your social health is nearly as important as your physical health. In fact, research has shown that having strong relationships is one of the leading indicators of longevity and happiness in life. Lucky for you, group fitness is a community of individuals that fosters a supportive and encouraging environment. These classes help build strong connections because the people attending are brought together by a shared goal.
Use Your Time Wisely
Whether it’s waiting for a treadmill, chatting with friends between sets, or trying to figure out what machine to use next, there’s a good chance you may be wasting precious workout time! Group exercise classes solve that problem. Your group fitness class is created by a team of fitness and exercise professionals. This ensures every workout is a purpose-driven experience that produces maximum results in the allotted amount of time.
Builds Your Confidence
Having a knowledgeable instructor in class – giving step-by-step instructions is a surefire way to help improve your self-esteem and build confidence in the gym. The instructors are trained to safely push you and your counterparts to your limits. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and pride as you reach your fitness goals and see improvements in your strength and endurance. When we are confident it is carried over to other areas of life such as work, relations and health.
An Experienced Instructor
To become a group fitness instructor, you need to have a background in health, fitness, and nutrition, either through professional experience, education, or a combination of the two. Instructors play a pivotal role in providing appropriate warm-up exercises, teaching correct technique, monitoring participants’ movements, and ensuring a safe environment. If you’re new to the group fitness scene, there’s no need to worry! The instructor will pay close attention to you and offer modifications and corrective measures when needed.
A Variety of Classes to Choose From
Most gyms offer a variety of group fitness classes. Classes range from low-intensity to high-intensity and are typically held on the same days and times, so you can create an easy routine to follow throughout the year! Classes may focus on cardio, strength training, cycling, yoga, Pilates, or incorporate dance. If you are unsure of which class suits you best, talk to the instructor. Most are more than willing to offer their help!
Encourages Muscle Confusion
Muscle confusion keeps your body on its toes, ramping up the metabolism and strengthening muscles as you go. Fitness plateaus can easily be reached when the body becomes used to certain exercises. Constantly researching new exercises or finding creative but safe ways to challenge your body can be time-consuming. Adding a variety of group fitness classes to your workout routine is simple and a great way to mix things up.
Prevents Injuries
A fitness class can lower your risk of suffering a soft tissue injury. A significant part of a fitness instructor’s job is to ensure everyone in the class is executing the exercises correctly and using the correct amount of weight for their current fitness level. Your instructor can pinpoint your weak points and evaluate your form to ensure you’re performing each exercise safely and effectively. As a result, you are more likely to avoid soft tissue injuries and stick with a successful workout routine.
In Conclusion:
Working out in a group fitness setting is fun, engaging and a great way to hold yourself accountable. Whether you’re looking to shake up your routine, get a full body workout in less than an hour, or meet people who have similar fitness goals, it will be a beneficial experience!
Get to it Central New York! Let’s get our heart pumping, blood flowing, and do our best to be healthy and fit. A group fitness class may be just what the doctor ordered! Good luck to you.
