Best class to take? (Ex. Zumba, Spinning, Bodypump, etc)

nolachick85

I'm a zumba fanatic, though I think most people either really love it or really hate it. I usually take it 3-5 times a week and really enjoy it. I have an "accountability partner" in my zumba class and we always encourage one another to go. There are so many evenings that I would have stayed in if it hadn't been for her support and motivation. I HIGHLY suggest finding a buddy with the same goals as you to help you!
Spinning is always great but it can be too repetitive, so I think it all has to do with the instructor and the music. I enjoy it, but don't do it as often as I used to.
Body pump is something I haven't tried yet. I am looking for a class that fits into my schedule at the moment though. Very soon.
Yoga is always great from time to time, though I usually stick with intense cardio. I would suggest taking that from time to time.
Kickboxing and boxing in general are always the best!

mocha106

The on you enjoy the most, because you will be more consistent and thus see better results

^^This!

lisamariepickering

I love Zumba and I am by no means a dancer. My husband even went with me last week and he loved it, even though he was the only guy in the class. You burn a ton of calories, it's fun and I don't feel like it's too hard on my joints.

gottaluvya

I love my BodyCombat class. It is a combo of various martial arts forms...just not hitting anyone/thing ) I would take it every day if I could lol. I also like the Cxworx class, which is a 30 minute core-focused class. I tried cycling but I could not get excited over it. Same with Zumba. So I think the BEST class is what YOU like and what will keep you coming back for more!

giggitygoo

I love spinning. I really don't enjoy doing cardio, but spin classes keep me motivated and interested. My burns are also way higher in the classes. I make sure to choose a bike that is right up front so the instructor can harass me about form and resistance.

Just find something you like to do and stick with it. It doesn't have to be the most "hardcore" class the place offers either. It's all about what will keep you motivated to come in every day. I dropped my body fat percentage by 20% doing ballet and pilates. Neither are mega high-impact.

taunto

I might be biased but boxing imo

OkieinMinny

My Monday night Kickboxing class I LOVE - gets all the stress and frustration out! (I get to hit **** so that helps)

leianno

WOW I'm so glad to hear this! I just started Body Pump. I really like the class but I'm a little embarassed that I can only do about half of it. But I"m not giving up.... I'm doing it twice a week starting this week and I know it will get easier as I go. I REALLY hope I have similar results that you have!

BeautifulBetsy

Thanks for all of the responses!! Some great ideas in there!

My next (kind of stupid) question is: do you think they're worth the money?

if you get a good life membership and use it, it's well worth the money, and I say Body Pump is amazing, nothing like trading in the fat for muscle!

Kerri_is_so_very

Do what you love! I refuse to take anything I don't enjoy. Try a few out and see how you like them and how they fit your schedule! I love zumba, blackout and group power.

Aparz1

Cross Fit- hands down.... I take different classes all of the time and love this class... expensive though since there are still not a ton of cross fit facilities/ instructors out there but worth your while.

laurenematheson

I definitely think they're worth the money! (I may be a bit biased as an instructor haha )

But, the advice I always give is try every class your gym offers at least once. Test the waters and see what you like to do. The best workout is the one where you're having so much fun, you forget you're working.

Always keep in mind that just because you go to a class and do not care for it, does not mean all classes of that type will be the same. Instructors all have different styles of teaching, so you may hate one step class and love another!

My personal favorites to teach are CardioSculpt ( a mix of high/low impact aerobics and body weight training), Step Aerobics, and walk/run groups. I also love to go to Zumba classes

priesterse

I LUV ZUMBA! However, I have "kicked it up a knotch" with a dance fitness class called SENSAZAO which is like ZUMBA times 10. It is awesome!. I also enjoy Body pump/muscle conditioning class for toning and muscle definition. I really like yoga, especially Bikram yoga because it burns calories but also is great for my lower back pain. Pilates is something I just started and I find that it is great for your core.

I tried Spinning. Great workout, but it really hurt my bottom!

mokster

I swear by TRX, but I don't think it's offered at all gyms or without additional cost. My gym offers it in 30 minute classes, so I can easily grab one during lunch or before dinner. If I have more time, I will do two in one day. It's the only class I've taken where I've made gym friends, and it's produced better results for me than any of the Les Mills classes (which I still attend... I like them too). I have not experienced another class that can work me as hard in only half an hour.

Others I like:
BodyPump
Spin
CSI (interval strength/cardio training)

ToughTulip

Body pump was an absolute joke IMO

I think zumba is a lot of fun though!

Joreanasaurous

TRX. I love it. I've only been doing it for 3 weeks now, but I want to push myself with it. If a class makes you want to push harder while you're enjoying youself, than it is well worth it.

I want to try spinning and body pump next, but haven't yet.

goldfish29

Hated Zumba. I've got rhythm and like to dance and this was not a workout for me at all.

I would like spinning but I fractured my tail bone earlier this year and still can't handle the bike very well.

I LOVE Body Pump. I go 3 times a week.

I also do pilates, Body Flow or yoga once or twice per week. I do all classes alone.

xxloveiswarr

I'm a really shy person and I also have two left feet (not even joking, i should video tape my horrible robotic moves), but a friend encouraged me to go to zumba with her and I've been going ever since. It's a nice change of pace for me considering I mostly use cardio machines at the gym and dvds at home. I'm thinking about joining a yoga studio and I'd love to try out a spinning class if I could find one! I think classes are easier with friends, but can be fun without as well.

k8blujay2

It really depends honestly... For example, I used to like step aerobics... but I hate it now... I think though it's because when I first took it, I took it with an instructor that used to be a trainer for Gold's Gym and now she teaches (or at least she did when I took the class) college PE courses, then I took it at a local rec center... I have always hated spinning... But I love Zumba.

BSchoberg

Cross Fit- hands down.... I take different classes all of the time and love this class... expensive though since there are still not a ton of cross fit facilities/ instructors out there but worth your while.

Been looking at this - very intrigued (and a little scared if I'm being honest :embarassed: ). More and more facilities are opening every day - they seem to be springing up all over. I'm already paying for a gym membership (that I love and use, so no waste), but if time & money were not an issue, I'd be all over it.

To OP: try everything that even slightly interests you --- but always give it at least 3x before you decide it's not for you. Learning steps, vocabulary, pacing, etc can be frustrating, but you have to give it a real chance. And if you take a biking/spinning class (LOVE 'em), you have to give that even longer 'cuz your hind end is gonna protest fiercely but it WILL get used to that saddle.

dominikaro

Spinning, bodypump and yoga.

giggitygoo

Cross Fit- hands down.... I take different classes all of the time and love this class... expensive though since there are still not a ton of cross fit facilities/ instructors out there but worth your while.

And if you take a biking/spinning class (LOVE 'em), you have to give that even longer 'cuz your hind end is gonna protest fiercely but it WILL get used to that saddle.

Agree about both crossfit injury risk, and hiney protest from spinning. I've learned that if my tush is hurting too much on the saddle, my resistance (gear) is too low.

RE crossfit: A beginning lifter really shouldn't be doing speed lifts. The risk of injury is high.

olerolls

Try a few and see what you enjoy. The best one to take is the one(s) you like doing and thus will stick with.

I personally really like yoga and Pilates. I also liked a kickboxing class I took for a few weeks, but it's hard on my surgically repaired knee and I have decided not to continue with it because I feel like I'm just asking for an injury that will sideline me from exercise completely. I also like the Cardio Jam class that's at my gym. I think it's fairly similar to Zumba, so I would probably like that too.

Chou_In_Motion

I do Zumba at home and still on the first DVD on WII if you look at my profile it will show you how much I have lost since on Zumba.. I also us my elliptical at home...These work for me...

fitlike

It's a bit "meta" but I'll take just about any format of class - the important thing for me is a good instructor who puts thought and a bit of their own personality into it, rather than a corporate middlewoman who brings nothing to their own class and may as well just put on a DVD. So for me, the best class to take is basically the one without an R in a little circle after its name.