Pros and Cons of Group Fitness Classes

Group fitness classes are a fun and engaging way to participate in exercise. It’s great for anyone who feeds off the energy of others and wants to remove the guesswork of creating your own workout. Classes are taught by certified instructors who can specialize in specific training methods such as Zumba, TRX, kettlebells, cycling, yoga, etc. What better way to meet local people with the same goals and interests than going to the same place at the same time every day? Be sure to grab a monthly calendar so you can schedule your day/week accordingly. Signing up for classes in advance is a good way to hold yourself accountable to show up at a scheduled time.

Pros:

• Fun, engaging and encouraging!

• Taught by certified group fitness instructors

• Suitable for all fitness levels

• Typically included with gym membership

• Wide variety = something for everyone

• Signing up holds you accountable

• No guesswork in creating a routine. Just show up!

• Mostly total body

Cons:

• Not customized to your goals

• High-intensity and high-impact workouts can be taxing

• Cannot ensure proper form/technique due to instructor to member ratio

• Constant total body exercise = no time to repair and recover

The world of group fitness offers a variety of classes so there’s something to appeal to everyone and you’re bound to get an amazing workout every single time! Classes can be low or high-intensity and low or high-impact. The best way to avoid fatigue and give your body time to repair between workouts is to balance high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts with low-intensity and/or regenerative workouts. Yoga is wonderful for regeneration. Low-impact exercises include the elliptical, walking, cycling, swimming and Pilates. Although low impact, the elliptical and cycling can still be highly intense.

Classes are generally suitable for all fitness levels. Speak with your instructor beforehand if you are pregnant or have any injuries as they are able to provide modifications throughout the workout. Also, many classes are total body workouts. This is fine, if you aren’t working out every day but for those of us who enjoy daily exercise, it can be very taxing on your body to work the same muscle groups (aka every muscle) each and every day. Read this to increase your athletic performance and best prevent injury.

Not all gyms offer group fitness classes. Facilities such as Planet Fitness and Blink are more affordable due to only offering the bare essentials for those who prefer to work out on their own. Otherwise, the cost of classes is typically built into the membership of gyms that offer them. Boutique fitness studios offer both membership and pay-per-class options and are not exactly for the budget-conscious. I’m personally not a fan of these studios due to the fact that they lack variety in the training method. They also don’t offer equipment for days you do want to jump on a treadmill or lift weights after, or in lieu of, class. In order to progress your fitness level, you need to consistently add variety to keep your body guessing what’s next. Find new ways to challenge yourself here.

Unlike private training, group fitness is not customized; it is designed to appeal to the masses. Classes can be of all sizes, from just a handful up to say, hundreds or even thousands of participants at events such as fundraisers. Depending on the size of the class, instructors aren’t always able to ensure everyone is using proper form, engaging your core, or challenging themselves to their full abilities. If working towards a specific goal and within a timeline, you may want to do group fitness in combination with personal training. I’ve been a member of my neighborhood gym for nearly five years now and love the sense of community I feel there. Because my instructors know my ability and classes are fairly small, they are able to challenge me and ensure I use proper form. For those who prefer a home gym, the one piece of equipment I’d suggest investing in is the TRX Suspension Trainer. All you need to work out are the infamous yellow straps and your own body weight, making it a one-stop shop. The combinations of exercises with this device are endless.

According to the World Health Organization, adults ages 18+ should aim for a minimum of 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of high-intensity physical activity each week, or an equivalent combination of both. Whether or not you have a gym membership, try new physical activities until you find something of enjoyment. It doesn't matter what you do, just get your heart rate up!

I am not a fitness instructor myself, but would love to help you find a class based on your goals, interests and fitness level. Let me know how I can help!

Some of my favorite fitness accounts on YouTube:

Chelsea Piers Fitness: enjoy a variety of classes such as HIIT, strength, Pilates, yoga, barre, and core.

Yoga with Kassandra: yoga and meditation videos ranging from 5-90 minutes.

BodyFit by Amy: she has a wide variety of workouts but I have only tried her TRX videos.

Enjoy!

Mallory

Source:

Physical Activity. World Health Organization, 23 Feb. 2018, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity.

Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR