Many people have mixed feelings about group fitness. It’s not uncommon to find the thought of exercising with other people to be daunting, but there’s more to group fitness than just a generic workout with strangers. This blog will dive into some aspects of fitness classes that you may not have thought of.
One of the best parts about attending regular fitness classes is the accountability. Having other people going through the same thing with you and counting on you to go through it with them, can be an easy motivator. Fitness classes are regular and will occur no matter how tired or unmotivated you feel. When you’re the only one working out, it’s easy for your fitness routine to take a hit when the motivation isn’t there.
If you’re someone who likes to be competitive, group fitness is a great way to push yourself and make sure you’re getting the most out of your workouts. As you incorporate group fitness into your regular routine and get better at internal motivation, you might notice your solo workouts becoming easier to maintain consistency and high intensity.
The other great thing about a fitness class is that while taking care of your physical health, you’re also doing something for your social health. It’s important for your overall wellness to maintain a robust social life. It can be hard when life gets busy to make time to be social, so why not take care of your social and physical health at the same time?
Another benefit is that depending on where you find a fitness class, it’s likely less expensive than using a personal trainer. You still get professional guidance, but without as much of the cost.
A common barrier to starting a fitness class is the fear of being left behind or having different abilities than others in the class. In a fitness class that is worth your while, the movements will have progressions and regressions. This means that for every exercise you learn, there will be ways to make it harder or easier with minimal adjustments. Everyone else is going to be so focused on their own movement that they’ll have no idea if you did the movement one level lower or higher. There are so many options to choose from when selecting a fitness class. Many have specific movement types and equipment so that you can choose one that closely aligns with your goals. A group class will be less individualized than solo training but there are so many ways to tailor a class to your specific needs.
So, when answering the question “are fitness classes worth it?”, this blog would point to yes. Whether you’re trying to start a new routine and need some accountability, or you’re trying to shake up your current routine with some more intensity or new movements, fitness classes are for you. Find one that sounds interesting to you, bring questions and an open mind, and you might be surprised at what you get out of it!
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Evelyn Merriman, BKin, RKin, or another Kitchener Kinesiologist at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
