Can't keep up with people in gym classes

DodgerBlue19891

When you first started going to a gym class, could you keep up with everyone?

arditarose

Yes, for the most part. I've always been decently active/strong and usually between 20-40 pounds over weight. I have seen people struggle in class though and there have definitely been times when I've felt a bit ill or like I couldn't go on. But the point is to be challenged. The fact that you are going and trying to keep it up is great.

oh_happy_day

It doesn't matter. You go at your own pace. I've seen people who like to finish at the front and they sacrifice good form for speed - not worth it! It's hard if you're competitive or feeling self-conscious but you need to honour where your body is at right now.

To actually answer your question. It varied depending on what the work out involved. If it was strength, I held my own. If we were running I was lagging behind the pack and trying not to die. And even now there are WODs which play to my strengths and others that don't. Sometimes I finish at the front, sometimes at the back. I get the workout in either way! And really I just like to notice improvements in my performance.

arditarose

oh_happy_day wrote: »

It doesn't matter. You go at your own pace. I've seen people who like to finish at the front and they sacrifice good form for speed - not worth it! It's hard if you're competitive or feeling self-conscious but you need to honour where your body is at right now.

To actually answer your question. It varied depending on what the work out involved. If it was strength, I held my own. If we were running I was lagging behind the pack and trying not to die. And even now there are WODs which play to my strengths and others that don't. Sometimes I finish at the front, sometimes at the back. I get the workout in either way! And really I just like to notice improvements in my performance.

Now that I think of it, this is true for me too. I really struggled with sprinting/running.

Unknown

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barbecuesauce

I still can't keep up in the dancey classes! No Zumba for me.

It's more important that you focus on form than it is on speed.

ninerbuff

Being an instructor, people sometimes get overzealous on their choices of classes. Many times they take classes that have the fittest people because that's their goal. Unfortunately those members may have been doing this for a long time, so it's not uncommon for newbies to come in an not be accustomed to the speed or format. Repetition is important though. If you're consistent, you'll catch on. Stay at the back of the room so you can observe better and make sure to try to practice some on your own time.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

DeeYonce

I can never keep up with the folks in class when I first start. Actually it takes me over a month b4 I am able to keep up. I notice that I need to consistently go to class for about 8 weeks before I am really keeping up! Then I move on to a new class and start that "lagging behind" journey again. Its a challenge and the point is that u are trying. Stick with it.

ElisaJtsu

I don't even take notice of the people around me. I set my own challenges with myself. Who cares what other people do? Focus on your own achievements

MelodyandBarbells

I started back in years ago only able to complete five minutes of Zumba, and then either needing rest, OR very early when I first started, just plain going home. I can pretty much do classes as long and intensely as I want now

BasicGreatGuy

Keeping up with the people at the gym is not the purpose of going to the gym. You are supposed to be there for yourself. The others are extras on a movie set.

DodgerBlue19891

True, I just dont want to fall too far behind

LAT1963

Hell no I don't keep up with the others. I focus on form, and use heart rate to judge when to take a rest for aerobic activity. All that matters is whether this week is better than last week.

Pinnacle_IAO

DodgerBlue19891 wrote: »

When you first started going to a gym class, could you keep up with everyone?

Of course...and I won the lotto my very first try...lol

Seriously, don't worry about anybody else. All of those folks remember when they could not keep up. BE INSPIRED!

DawnieB1977

You're not in competition with anyone else, so don't worry about it.

I keep up fine at my gym in classes and am probably one of the fittest in some classes, but I do some circuits classes that are separate from my gym, and there are some really fit people who do those classes, and I suddenly feel like one of the slowest. They're outside and involve a lot of running, which isn't my forte, but I'm getting better, fitter and faster so that's what matters.

conqueringsquidlette

I have -never- been able to finish a cardio class.

Hell, I can't even make it through the "warm up" half the time.

shangrilamama

When we lived in the city I would go to the Y and do aerobics or zumba and I was horrible! I'm the most uncoordinated person ever. The best advice I ever received from an instructor was "Until you learn the moves just keep moving." I can't tell you how often I was just marching in place until I learned the moves. Still a good motto today, "Just keep moving."

kyrannosaurus

I am also very uncoordinated. I spent a lot of time running on the spot trying to figure out what is going on. Eventually I picked up most of the moves. The instructors in the classes I attend usually give low impact options for those with injuries of different levels of fitness. I say go for it. Just keep moving. You fitness will improve if you stick with it.

ronrhoda

Nope.. I've had my knee replaced 3 times. I'm just under 50.. I swim! Hit me up and f you want!

Ready2Rock206

Don't worry about everyone else - everyone was new in class at once point. As you go to more classes you'll improve and someone else will be the newbie thinking they can't keep up with you. Just focus on getting better than your previous self.

Francl27

Haha when I started I couldn't even finish the warm up!

lseed87

Mostly. Go at own pace! It just matters that you're actually doing it. And you will keep getting better. Who knows, someone there might be trying to keep up with you!

lorrpb

DodgerBlue19891 wrote: »

When you first started going to a gym class, could you keep up with everyone?

No! Even after 3 months I barely keep up. But some people are very fit and have been working out for years. Me, a year ago I could barely walk upy own driveway. So I try focus only own progress.

lorrpb

ninerbuff wrote: »

Being an instructor, people sometimes get overzealous on their choices of classes.

I understand what you're trying to say, but as a relative newbie my frustration is that there are very offerings for true beginners.

lorrpb

Should say: Very few offerings

oh_happy_day

ninerbuff wrote: »

Being an instructor, people sometimes get overzealous on their choices of classes. Many times they take classes that have the fittest people because that's their goal. Unfortunately those members may have been doing this for a long time, so it's not uncommon for newbies to come in an not be accustomed to the speed or format. Repetition is important though. If you're consistent, you'll catch on. Stay at the back of the room so you can observe better and make sure to try to practice some on your own time.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I've seen this happen at my gym. The majority of the members are very fit and a lot of them are just absolute machines. I've seen new people get quite intimidated but you can't compare yourself with people who've been training for years. People also gravitate towards what they're good at. I hold my own at my gym but if I was put in a dance class or even Zumba...nope! Can't do it, my body just doesn't work that way.

It's the same with yoga - you can't compare your practice to someone else's. Everyone's body is different. The same pose can look different on different people. And I'm certainly not going to compare myself to the girl on the mat next to me who was a professional ballet dancer - that's a recipe for feeling bad about myself instead of focusing on how much my own practice has expanded.

mystgrl1604

Haha don't worry! When I first started, I can barely keep up. Now nearly 3 months on, there are still times I have to stop to catch my breathe but I've been able to do more and more each time. I think once I can go and push myself to the max without stopping for a breather, it will be time to find a harder class.

P.S. I'm doing Zumba most days, interspersed with some Beam or Mat Pilates, and some Body Pump classes.

ninerbuff

DodgerBlue19891 wrote: »

True, I just dont want to fall too far behind

Just sayin' then you should pick a better team to root for in baseball. That way maybe you won't fall far behind since rooting for a champion keeps you up.

GO GIANTS!!!!!

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

KiwiAlexP

I personally do better doing my own thing (just started a c25k). I don't do well in classes either because I'm too uncoordinated or just can't keep up - I have tried cross-fit through a work initiative a few years ago but ended up feeling worse about myself and struggling with a bout of depression. So I stick to solitary activities although when I do go to the gym am fine with a programme, just not group classes

12774

DodgerBlue19891 wrote: »

When you first started going to a gym class, could you keep up with everyone?

Exercise at your own pace. You are not competing with anyone. I am having fun in my line dance class. I do not know the steps but I have to learn to laugh at my mistakes and dance on. Will master the steps sooner than later. Do not give up!

lorrpb

Just remember, even if you are the "slowest" one in class, you are still faster than everyone who isn't there!