Any Obese People Found a Good Group Fitness Class?

lay011

I really like group fitness classes because I find them more motivating than exercising alone but I have a dilemma...I am obese and not fit enough to keep up with the class. I usually give it my all for about 3 months and then get frustrated because I can't keep up or I am hurting some body part.

I am curious if any obese folks here have found a group class that really works for you where you can keep up and you have fun.

Therealobi1

I started off with spinning. I pretended to change my resistance when the instructor told us to and did my best to keep up with the class. Body parts do get sore that's part of it, just ensure you stay safe. Speak to the instructor about your limitations they are usually quite accommodating. I liked spinning even though it was tough because it didn't mess with my joints.

Don't overdo it but don't give up. You will get stronger over time.
Good luck

AnnPT77

I took spin classes for around a decade as an obese (class 1) person, but that may not be the sort of class class you had in mind. I also took yoga, a group weight training class (free weights) for a couple of years, and kettlebell for one several-week session. None of those were particularly hard to keep up.

I also did regular group workouts with my rowing team (rowing machine in Winter, boats in Spring-Fall) for about 12 years, and Chinese martial arts (King Fu, Tai Chi) for around 8 years. Those things had more of a learning curve up front, but there were other beginners, and I mostly kept up with them.

(Obviously, none of those were weight loss magic, since I stayed obese by out-eating the workouts. I did get fairly fit, though. I didn't lose weight until I got the eating under control.)

Oh, and and a swimming class for the better part of a year. That I had trouble keeping up, not because of obesity, I think, but because I'm a truly terrible swimmer.

All of them were fun, except swimming.

The order may've mattered somewhat, because as I gradually got fitter, more things became achievable making it easier to keep up . There was overlap, but rough order was tai chi, kung fu, yoga, weight training, rowing, spin, swimming, kettlebell. I still row & spin in group classes. I sometimes weight train & swim solo.

middlehaitch

I have only been metabolically normal weight obese, and terribly unfit.

I started off with aqua fit classes. They are generally fun and friendly.

No one could see that I couldn't keep up when I first started- I just went at my own pace, sometimes just marching in place, until I could keep up.

I didn't have to cope with getting all sweaty, a new sensation that I wasn't fond of, the water kept me cool.

It was easy on my underused joints, but the resistance of the water did help me retain/strengthen my muscles (yes that is how unfit I was).

When I was ready to crawl out of the water and on to the land I took a Zumba Gold class, not as high impact and a little slower than regular Zumba, before moving to Zumba.
(I actually went back to the Zumba Gold and just did it with more vim and vigour because I liked the group and instructor so much- we would all dress up for Christmas, Halloween, etc)

Like AnnPT77 I have learnt to swim. I should do it more often but I hate the showers at the pool- that is probably an excuse because I am not a confident swimmer, just capable.

I have since then progressed to other things, but they are 2 (3) things that got the unfit, fat (MNWO) me moving at 54.

Oh, and belly dancing- the best thing ever for learning a bit of coordination and how to recognize and engage the abdominal muscles.

I hope you find a class that is a fit for you.

Cheers, h.

GOT_Obsessed

I fit the category and last Oct I got a gym membership at a place big on group fitness classes. I said I would try every single one of the classes and am working through them all.

The funnest to start with was Zumba. I didn't worry about getting the steps right. If I got mixed up I just made sure to move in some way. It got much easier after about 3 weeks. Lots of people laughing and smiling and just having a grand old time.

Then I felt brave so I went to Boot camp. I explained to the instructor I am not very fit and my knee sucks. She said not to worry, do what you can. And she did an amazing job giving alternate things for the tougher exercises. Ex. Instead of full jumping Jacks I just stick my legs out to the front and lift my arms not hopping upwards. It's my favorite class now.

Yoga is good because there are straps and blocks for the less limber people. Plus it's dark in there.

I go to Bodypump weekly, it's weights and again was told do what you can. Try less weight or just the bar at times. I like it because I would not do these weights on my own and come out of there drenched with sweat.

There are more classes to try still. The cycling room is my next venture. You will see all shapes, sizes and fitness levels. Nobody cares about anyone except themselves so don't feel intimidates. Go out and have fun!

lay011

Thanks to everyone! It is great to hear what other folks are doing and having success with!

DebLaBounty

I loved Zumba. Sometimes I’d want to quit after 10 minutes. But I’d just walk over and take a drink from my water bottle, wipe off the sweat on my face and neck with the towel I brought, then rejoin the class after I’d caught my breath. There were times when I quit after 45 minutes. Now I can do the full hour class. Nobody will judge you for taking it slow. I just concentrate on following the instructor, moving less vigorously than other women might, and do what I can. Keep it up and you’ll see some progress in your stamina even if you never feel much more graceful!

AnnPT77

I've been thinking about this thread off and on all day, feeling like I left out the most important parts. These are (obviously) just my opinions.

1. Many group-class activities are very difficult at first for all of us. Anything that is simple at first is a big flippin' bore very, very soon.
2. What I learned from rowing is that much can be accomplished if one is willing to patiently s*ck at something for a really, really long time - and it's completely worth the investment. You get the accomplishment, plus some insight/skills you can bring to pursuing future goals.
3. Everyone - obese, thin, coordinated, clumsy - when new to something -feels completely uncoordinated, incompetent, generally pathetic and as if everyone is staring at us.
4. Most people in any group class are thinking about themselves nonstop - not you.
5. Anyone who is looking at or thinking about you is not working out hard enough, so beneath your notice, except to feel sad for them.

So, do whatever's fun, skilled or not.

Edited: hit post too soon

NoxeemaJackson

Water walking - people walk against the current in the lazy river at the gym.
And jazzercise! All of the moves can be modified , talk to the instructor ahead of time