WHAT EXERCISE CLASSES BEST FOR ME

Try all the classes! I go to several classes a week, they are not all full of skinny women (At least where I live in the UK). I went to all of them and settled on four that I really like, I'm very uncoordinated but there will always be someone new who doesn't know what they're doing or who goes the wrong way so you won't stand out.

Google Les Mills and you can get an idea of what the Body Pump, Combat, Step and Attack are like. Each gym probably has their own classes too though so you're best off asking them. I do most classes and would say that most people are capable of all of them. All classes take a while to get used to and it is important to tell the instructor you are new so they can tailor what they say in the class for you to understand. Pump is good as it doesn't require much coordination (something I am shocking at!). Combat is great fun although it takes a few classes to get used to. Attack is great but the hardest (in my opinion) as it is ++ cardio focused. I'm not into the slower paced workouts such as Zumba or Balance so can't comment too much on those xx

Well done and don't forget age is just a NUMBER !!!! What ever class you decide to do, remember work at your own pace until you are comfortable with the pace the instructor sets and have FUN

Hi can anyone advise what type of exercise class would be best for me? I have lost 22lbs but still have six stones to lose. I would like to go to a class but am confused by what they all are,e.g. Step aerobics, body attack, body pump, circuits, spin class,zumba, body combat, body pump.I don't know what they all entail or what these mean and what would be best for me. I am not as fit as I used to be and have a dodgy hip.

Please remember I am 59 years old and feel self conscious in a class full of lycra clad 21year olds, who all seem stick thin!! I am based in Scotland.

Thanks.

I just tried Body Combat for the first time. When I walked in, the first thing I noticed was that everyone else looked in good shape. I squished down the part of me that was tempted to feel a bit intimidated and decided to take that as a good sign and make it aspirational: if I stick with it, maybe I'll look like that eventually too! That was one was like a boxing workout. It was pretty full on, but the instructor asked if anyone was new at the start and told me to take breaks when I needed to and not to worry when I lost track of the routine -- just pick it back up when I could. There were things I couldn't do, and I screwed up the routine a few times, but I got a hell of a workout and had fun. I'm planning to go every week. I probably wouldn't have picked that as my first class had I bothered to check what was involved though; I just picked it because I could get there at that time.

One option that might be worth checking out for something that's a bit more friendly is your local community centre. I assume this is the same north of the border, but my local centre runs quite a few exercise classes. I went along to Zumba a few times last summer. The class was very mixed: all ages, all weights and body types, and a wide range of fitness levels, but mostly female. That was a lot of fun and didn't feel like a workout until I stopped and discovered I'd been working muscles I hadn't used recently.

I'd say go along and try whatever's available to you and see what you enjoy. Nobody will try to push you to do more than you're able, and if you have a specific injury just let the instructor know and they will warn you off anything that might cause you problems or give you an alternative exercise.

anything you like to do enough to stick with it long term is probably the best for you, consistency and longevity are the keys

yeah try them all!

however with you saying you have 6st to loose be careful incase it is too extreme for you, spinning is quite off putting if you cant keep up with the class.

however saying that there is no shame in backing out after overcooking your workout it prooves you are trying harder than everyone around you who are plodding on in thier endurance zone!

I would say try as many different exercises classes as you can...

I would also advise you to talk to one of the fitness professionals at your gym...

Just remember, it's just a class, Not a military boot camp. They don't have drill sergeants coming over and yelling at you. You progress at your own pace. Also at 59 years old, nobody expects you to move like a 21 year old now. Give your self 6 months, You'll leave some 21 year old to dust.
I'm 48 and this morning I biked 25 miles with my wife (52) with a high school Junior varsity track kid. And I only started this weight loss journey 6 months ago.
So take your time, I do advise trying the same program at least 3 times before you call it quits. because you never know from just 1 class.

Enjoy your journey. I'm 48 and I'm in the best shape of my life.

I DON'T KNOW - HOW ARE WE MEANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE?!

I FEEL LIKE I AM SHOUTING.

DON'T DO BOXFIT BECAUSE IT'S BLOODY HARD.

like others have suggested, go try a variety of the classes to see what you like. I could recommend classes but if you dont enjoy them, you wont go! That being said, here is what I take weekely:

Zumba (3 times a week, by far my fav class)
Body Pump (twice a week)
Belly Dance
Barre Vite
Cycle
Step

And I just started a 4 week series at my gym on Friday nights, Bollywood dance. Its hard and a lot of fun.

I too was very intimidated (I'm overweight). Most people are just worried about themselves. In almost every class, I have made wonderful and ENCOURAGING friends, we are all there for the same reason. Range of sizes and age groups.

Enjoy yourself.

1 - excellent work in losing the weight so far!
2 - as mentioned, for a full explanation of the classes, talk to the gym staff
3 - most of the classes you mention, ive found i naturally work as hard as i can.. when things get too much, you can back off without any problems (ie; changing to lower weights in Body Pump)

I'm gonna sympathise with your points about the dodgy hip & self consciousness. you will need to push yourself, but as you're already this far along, it proves you're capable of that. I'd say start off comfortably and push things when you're ready. Aggravating an injury will be a set back, and as much as everyone would like to think otherwise, taking a knock to your confidence can be a little tough early on, whereas successfully completing a few 'easier' classes may serve to boost your confidence.

I've been doing pilates and I can't recommend it enough. I was originally only planning to go a few times to help with my posture but I'm gonna keep going for the foreseeable future. Will pilates help you lose weight? maybe not. But for me its helping my body get accustomed to the movements required for other more intense exercises. I wonder if it would do the same for you?