Classes instead of Weights?

cathers_
cathers_ Posts: 70
in Fitness and Exercise
OK so I'm quite new but serious about my weight loss.

I'm living in France at the moment and a member of a gym and they offer all sorts of classes which I've been doing: there's a legs, bums and tums equivalent, a class where you work with 2x 1.5kg weights and work on tricep and biceps plus squats and various other things for the thighs, another where you use heavier (maybe 10kg) of weights and work on various arm and leg muscle groups and then a whole host of other cardio and mixed cardio and weights classes.

The more I'm reading the more I see that weights are going to be really important to my weight loss but the weights section of the gym I've joined is almost purely used by men and I don't have the confidence to go in there and lift those sorts of weights because I would be looked at.

Are the classes enough or do I just need to get plucky and go and do the weights?

Replies

  • cathers_
    cathers_ Posts: 70
    Bump
  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
    It's always a start if you are new to lifting. I go to a Body Pump class that is 60 minutes of full body weights and really enjoy it. Is it enough for someone wanting to really build strength? Depends on how I do it, but it's a good start. Plus if the instructor is good, they can check your form and then you'll build confidence to move to doing free weights.
  • cathers_
    cathers_ Posts: 70
    For me it's less about really wanting to build strength except for the fact that building strength is a way of losing weight but thanks for your reply, so nice to have other people's advice
  • justlistening
    justlistening Posts: 249 Member
    Like the above poster I go to body pump class too. You will definitely use lots of muscle but it is not a muscle building class. We do way too many reps. If you have never done weights before it is a good place to start. Also you can always ask the instructor questions after class about form etc. It will help you tone up considerably.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Classes are definitely enough to lose weight (along with a correct diet). If you have a certain look in mind, and/or when you get more focused on body composition you'll want to get into heavier weights.

    So it really depends on your goals/expectations.


    on a side note, you don't want to be seen as someone who is serious about their health and their body? I assume you think the guys will be judging you? Not likely.
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    You don't need to, but you will get better results in less time. And, you know, once you start doing it it's never as bad as you imagine it's going to be. And if it is, just keep going, and then you'll build up enough strength to throw dumbbells at anyone who looks at you funny. (Note: do not actually throw dumbbells at anyone no matter how much they deserve it.)

    Seriously, though, pretty much everyone is there to get a workout and if someone's looking at you it's either because you're using some piece of equipment they want to use or you just happen to be between them and the mirror (try not to be there). Research the exercises you want to do so you don't feel so unsure of what you're doing, write out what you want to do, take that plan in with you and go to town. If you really do hate it, you don't have to keep doing it, but there's a much better chance you'll find out that the reason the guys are trying to hog up that side of the gym is because it's way more fun than the rest of the place.

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