Gym classes - are they worth it?
Ffiffion
Posts: 19 Member
Hey, I've just joined a new gym and they offer a lot of free classes, many of them inductions to other classes and I was wondering if it's worth giving them a go? I usually just do whatever in the gym but I was wondering if maybe some classes in a week may help motivate me to go more often
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It depends on if you like them. I used to love a class at my old gym that was some sort of Latin dance-inspired cardio with a bit of step and hand weights. I also really liked kick-boxing with this one instructor, but when she left and we got another, I didn't enjoy it as much. So, yes, give them a try to find out what you enjoy.3
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You might enjoy them. You'll never know unless you try
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I love group classes. I pretty much just take classes (mainly spinning, mat pilates, reformer pilates, barre, TRX, and yoga) and run. That being said, I've found the quality of the instructors at gyms to be very hit or miss. I just take classes at studios now.1
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Definitely try them and go at your own pace - what do you have to lose?0
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When I started going to the gym I liked them a lot. It's more motivating to go to the gym knowing you have a goal or plan, which for a beginner, a class can provide. I also find that if I want a cardio workout the class is longer than the amount I'd ever do on my own on an elliptical.0
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Since they're free I'd say why not. You may learn something useful and enjoy them. Triple whammy!3
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If they are free. Go for it. I love them
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I love group classes. If I'm in spin and want to leave I'll push through if only because I don't want to be that one person who cuts out early. I like not having to plan it out - other than just deciding which class to take. Have fun!2
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Classes are great if you need to cross-train and want to try something new. The only thing to watch out for is the closet competitor in you that may come out. For years I would intermittently decide 'okay, I am going to try this,' and get invigorated by all the energy in the room (exuded by people who were actually good at the sport) and try to do all the moves perfectly the first time. Inevitably I overdid it and got so sore I could not go back. Don't be worried everyone else will consider you wimpy if you take it slow. Save a little something for the next time. 1
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Thank you everyone. I will see which ones sound good for me, I've never been one to enjoy group sport/exercise but just looking to see how it will help in the long run in helping me lose weight. 0
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At my gym, they say to try a class at least 3 times before you hate it 3
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I really enjoy going to classes even though I've been working out on my own regularly. It can keep you accountable and encourage you to try something new. For me I know I'm less likely to work out in the evening if I'm the only person keeping myself accountable, so on the days my schedule makes me likely to skip I will go to classes.0
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If they have spin class, I strongly suggest you try it.
You set the resistance on the bike, so the first time or the first few times you can make the workout very easy. If you like it, you can begin to increase the resistance, and within a month or two, you may be doing exactly what the instructor says.
The lights are low, and you can pick a bike in the back row and in the corner if you are self-conscious.
Enjoy! I go four times a week. And it's hard to hurt yourself.1 -
Thank you everyone. I will see which ones sound good for me, I've never been one to enjoy group sport/exercise but just looking to see how it will help in the long run in helping me lose weight.
That was me also. When I first started to lose weight in 2013 I only used exercise DVDs, but this time around I decided to try group classes and I absolutely love them. At first I was a little self-conscious but that didn't last long. I also burned more calories than I ever did doing zumba at home. I say give it a try!0 -
I love gym classes so much! They're really motivating because I won't feel like I want to quit in the middle of a class. I still remember the first time I went into a body combat class. Man was it tiring and I was breathing so hard. But the energy from everyone else kept me going 1
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I love gym classes, they're fun and they keep you accountable, you can't just take it easy like you might on the treadmill if you didn't feel that motivated.. they also generally work all areas of your body. I love boxing class...our instructor is an actual boxer and by god he' is tough and strict! But you feel so great after0
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they actually aren't free, you are paying with them in your membership! so best you utilize what you are paying for. Classes are great to round you out, we all get stuck in our routines, they can teach you new exercises. Yoga is so not my thing but every now and then i'll go to a class and it will feel great1
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you won't know until you try. if they're free, it's a great way to meet people and perhaps try something new. Plus classes can be very motivating. Try the class a few times. If the instructor is open to all fitness levels, you will know after about 2 or 3 times. I once took a class, many many moons ago, at my old gym where the instructor rolled her eyes at me all the time when i couldnt keep up. At my current gym, my boot camp instructor is awesome and helps all fitness levels out by challenging the more fit and helping the less fit with modifications until they become stronger.0
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Definitely give them a try.
Try different ones.
I love Zumba and some yoga class.
Here's my lessons learned: do weight training to sculpt your body, instead of just spinning your wheels burning calories so you can eat more, but never looking HOT naked!
I spent many years doing mainly cardio:
-- zumba
-- step classes
-- even weight training classes that I thought were weight training, when in fact, they were more cardio, since I wasn't loading up on the weight.
I would try some weight training but didn't have my food intake in control, so I would look bloated/fatter (as my muscles develop under the layer of fat). So I would stop w/ weight training because I didn't want to become "huge"!
So I went back to my hamster wheel of cardio cardio cardio.
But I didn't LOOK any better for years!
Finally made the decision 3 years ago to focus mainly on heavy lifting, and I loved it!
It's not until now that I'm taking control of my crazy eating that I'm starting to see the lean muscle being revealed.
I started Kettlebell training and I am loving the results.
Last year, I got down to my lowest weight ever, and I STILL didn't look Hot!
My goal now is to lose body fat, not just weight.
I'm 43 years old; it's taken me THIS long to learn all this.
Hope this post helps save people a few years by learning from my mistakes.
Good luck!0 -
I highly recommend spinning or other cycling classes! They are a great workout and you can always go at your own pace since it is dark. I like that I have to fit it in my schedule. If I know cycling is at 5, then I'll be there as opposed to just going to the gym to run where I can go anytime. Then it turns into "oh I'll go in a little bit" and then I'm on the couch watching Netflix and going to bed. The classes definitely help me get to the gym!1
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You might enjoy them. You'll never know unless you tryDefinitely try them and go at your own pace - what do you have to lose?Since they're free I'd say why not. You may learn something useful and enjoy them. Triple whammy!Ready2Rock206 wrote: »TommieCarrol wrote: »If they are free. Go for it. I love them
What they said!!
I have found classes I love, classes I don't care for, & classes ok for killing some time. Give them a go. Why not?
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I agree - classes give an accountability that makes you more inclined to stick to your scheduled gym time and also less likely to bail out halfway through.
try lots of different ones, the fact you can get such variety in classes means you'll keep motivated and challenged.
A word on the bailing out: it is ok to do it if you need to! Only today I went to my first boxercise class, advertised as great cardio for all fitness levels. It was actually a contact class with partner sparring... I had to stop ten minutes from the end as all that punching made my arthritic hands scream for mercy!! I expected a non contact class because of how it was advertised-so the lesson here is twofold: 1) it is ok to bail if your body is forcing you to and 2) tell the instructor beforehand if you have any health challenges!
Also, they are way more sociable than going to work out in the gym so you're likely to meet even just some friendly faces to say hi to on the regular.
Enjoy the adventure of finding your favourite classes :-)1 -
I work a lot harder when I am in a class. If I just go to the gym, I'll sit on a recumbent bike and watch Netflix and barely break a sweat. I do better in the group classes or exercising with someone.0
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Depends on you...I loath most of those classes...the only class I like is spin and yoga.0
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I love some classes (Zumba, kickboxing, yoga) and hate others (BodyPump, step.) You'll never know until you try!0
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