What kind of "group" class are you looking for ?

me too, me too! i'm an instructor and would love to the feedback as well. i'm with you Nicki, we need to freshen up the fitness industry in my area too. i'm a Zumba instructor along with aerobics and cycling (been teaching 14 years) and im tired of the dance classes. i designed a Rock N Roll class same as zumba but with music we all grew up with and new music which became more popular than the zumba but after 4-5 years of teaching it, im tired of it. i don't know if you've noticed in your area but "old school" aerobics have vanished and "easy" aerobics (zumba/dance classes) have taken over. ppl in my area don't want to exert themselves in any way. they don't want "hard", they want easy. don't get me wrong. my zumba classes are kick *kitten*, meaning we dance very hard and burn on average 500 cals.....i love the good ol bootcamp style classes, hi/lo, step, weight training classes too but they are fading away. it seems the serious athletes only come to those classes, it's hard to get new ppl to try them because they are harder. sooooo im all for giving us new ideas! let us help you become stronger, healthier group fitness nuts!

I love my kickboxing class! It's great because we are always moving and doing something. AND I feel like I can protect myself a bit in case something bad happens.

Maybe coming up with a way to combine yoga/pilates with something more cardio - tap into a couple of other crazes and maybe do something more fun for you.

I'm not sure if it's really the "type" of class that I would look for as it would be the time of day. I would LOVE it if the gym I went to had more early morning classes so I could go before my husband left for work/kids had to go to school. They offer the mid-morning classes (RPM-Bike, Body Pump-Weights, Yoga) but it's so hard to get everyone ready and out the door to make a 9am class. Just my opinion

My gym offers tons of group classes, and I would take advantage of them but I'm kind of nervous to just walk into a class for the first time. It's a combination of anxiety about not understanding what the class will be like, the people that will be there and just walking in overall. I can walk up to a machine just fine, but the idea of walking into a class scares me.
So I'm not sure where you teach your class but maybe walk around the area and encourage people to come. My community rec classes have free trial classes where it's all new people and experienced members can't attend - that might make it easier for some to come and try it out.
To keep people coming, maybe change up the music or the style of aerobics you're doing? Just to keep it fresh. I used to do Jazzercise but we did the same dances all the time and they got old.

Any kind of face paced interval class. Also there are not enough lunchtime workouts availible. Even like a solid 30min noon class would be awsome. I wish one was availible for me.

wow! great input!!! love the Power of 3 90 min class! please keep the ideas coming! let us know the pros and cons of what you like and dislike!

tchristine24--i was in your shoes a long time ago. i started at a gym and i remember my 1st group fitness class as if it was yesterday. i was nervous and unsure of how it was going to go but i took my 1st step in the class and never looked back. i've been teaching for 14 since since that day. i was 80 pounds over weight and remember there was a skinny pole in the middle of the room and i tried to hide behind it the whole time. like no one could see me....but i did it and so happy that i lasted the whole hour. i went back and tried it again. each time i got a little better and next thing i knew, i was in the front row and then teaching. we ALL have our 1st time. i want to give you some insight of what really goes on in class from an instructor view and as a "student".

we are all there for one reason....to get a good workout. when you take a class, you are concentrating on you and you only. ppl think everyone in the room is looking at them, which is not the case. it is hard to look in the mirrors while following choreography and look at other ppl. i've been teaching many years and still look at the room in general. if i focuse on one person, it throws me off balance and knocks me of beat. most ppl are there for a friendly enviroment, they don't want pointed out and certainly wont point you out. it will take several classes to get adjusted with routines. all instrs have diff personalities and style. take a variety of classes and get a feel of every style. some instrs you will "click" with some you won't. grab a friend to join you if that will make it more comfy to try a class.

i have found that teaching a class like my Rock N Roll, Zumba or Cycling when i turn the lights low and disco ball or colored light show going, i get more ppl in class. maybe find a class like that to start off with. when we owned our gym, we had very little ppl use the cardio room with the treadmills and elliptals because i talked everyone who walked through our door to try a class at least one time. many prefer group fitness because they are so much fun and the time goes so fast. i'm a cardio junky but cant tell you the last time i spent an hour on a machine. you will have more success at reaching your goals if you do something fun and look forward to attending. i cant stand hitting the treadmill for an hour by myself but i have no problem walking in the park with a friend. try to find something that you enjoy doing a few times a week. good luck!

The problem I've had with any gym I've belonged to is the hours classes are available. The times seem designed for retiree's and stay at home mom's. I can't take a class at 10 on a Tuesay, I'm working! More evening (after 5 ) or early (before 8) classes would be lovely. Also maybe a free first time class to try it out. As a beginner it's intimidating to try out a class especially if there's not a lot of info in the brochure (which is usually the case). A realistic review of how the class would be rated (beginning, intermediate, advanced) is also helpful. DON"T tell me it's for 'everyone' because they never are.

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