Group Exercise Classes - Do you take them and why?! Just gathering opinions and misconceptions

MikeNASMGFI
MikeNASMGFI Posts: 21 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Do you take them and why?! Just gathering opinions and misconceptions being an instructor myself. I am always intrigued by the answer.
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Replies

  • JessAndreia
    JessAndreia Posts: 540 Member
    edited January 2019
    I've done a few. Don't dislike them, but prefer to workout on my own - If I'm on my own I can always substitute an exercise I hate doing for another exercise that will work the same muscle. I'd feel awkward (and no idea if it would be appropriate) telling the instructor in front of everyone else that I don't want to do a certain exercise.
    This might be a misconception I have, but I also find them to have more cardio than someone who is focusing on strength and muscle building would want.

    I'd say the main reason people do group exercise classes is because they get a bit of personal training without having to pay the prices of one-on-one personal training.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    I go to the gym to do specific lifts, and then I leave. I worked with a physical therapist to come up with a routine that addresses my weaknesses, and improves my performance in my outdoor sports.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,681 Member
    I go to spin classes during the winter.
    They can be motivating and I can get a good workout.
    There's a bit of a social aspect and maybe a hint of "peer pressure" to push me harder than I might do on my own.
    But ... the instructor has to be really good and should cycle outside as well.
    I've encountered a few who have never been outside on a bicycle and make some pretty ridiculous suggestions.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    I love them when the instructor is knowledgeable. I quit LA fitness because the instructors tried to convince me to do things that were not inline with my back injury.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    The only group exercise classes that I've done have been sport specific (so spinning for cyclists) or as part of a team (winter indoor rowing workouts at the moment). I like both of those situations because of how specific they are. I also like(d) that both are longitudinally planned. That is to say, there is an X week/month plan that both the spin class and my rowing workouts followed as to better focus our training, make sure we're not overtraining, etc. I wouldn't assume that I'd be able to really find that at your average gym class because of the lack of specificity and because I'm assuming that most people aren't working towards similar performance based goals.

    Also all of the instructors I've had have been trained rowing or cycling coaches. As in trained and certified by the national governing bodies for those sports. I suppose it seems like a high bar, but it matters a lot to me because a. if I'm paying for a service and I'm putting my all into the workouts, I want them to be logical and well thought out, and b. orthopedically I am very prone to injury (less so now than when I was doing the spin classes). I wouldn't call myself a serious athlete (others might have differing opinions and they might be right), but that sort of thing is important to me.

    I definitely push myself harder working out with people than I would on my own. It's not typically an issue of competitiveness, so much as it's being in a room where everyone is pushing themselves during the same workout. That and being in a room where I'm being pushed by the instructor/coach. I honestly have similar feelings when I'm doing group workouts on Zwift, despite people being all over the world.
  • Suuzanne37
    Suuzanne37 Posts: 114 Member
    I enjoy Group Exercise classes; but in my experience my level of enjoyment is based on the Instructor. Usually the best Instructors have a “following”; their classes are always full. A good class usually has good music, an Instructor with great cueing abilities and a good personality✨
  • tecat810
    tecat810 Posts: 4,850 Member
    I find it both motivating to be able to compare my fitness level to others and discouraging because I can get in my head! I agree with another poster about the instruction. That can make or break the experience!
  • tashanic2
    tashanic2 Posts: 24 Member
    I take both Bodypump and Bodycombat and I love them. I love them because of the instructors and the other people in the class. It is always encouraging when the instructor knows your name and calls you out (in a good way!) in class because it makes me feel both proud and accountable and makes me dig a little deeper.
  • AliNouveau
    AliNouveau Posts: 36,287 Member
    I used to and loved them. I like the comraderie you get working out with others. Often the same people take the classes so you meet people. I'm a very social person so I enjoy that aspect. I guess instill do enjoy these. I figure skate and always try to attend the group classes. I enjoy group settings
  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
    Don't attend them... they look fun though.
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    What types of classes do you teach?
  • emmamcgarity
    emmamcgarity Posts: 1,594 Member
    My schedule is so jam packed that I just don’t choose to stress myself out adding another thing. I choose to do home workouts instead so that I can workout while dinner is in the oven or while the kids are doing schoolwork. Sometimes early in the morning. Other times late at night. I used to do classes when I was single and had no kids. I enjoyed them both for the social aspect and the workout. But as my lifestyle changed they were no longer a good fit for me.
  • MikeNASMGFI
    MikeNASMGFI Posts: 21 Member
    This makes perfect sense. It can be so hard to fit it in but you make it work for you. Awesome job and at home workouts are no joke!
  • SarahLascelles1
    SarahLascelles1 Posts: 95 Member
    I do a swim training session, which is harder training than I'd push myself to do. I also do a body combat class. Both instructors know about a shoulder problem and that I therefore can't do certain things.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    I did 1. Was not what I thought I had signed up for. Was labelled beginner weight training, so I thought they were going through the basics of lifting, but it was a cardio weight lifting class. Hated it. Have not done a group class since but worked with a coach at the Y to learn some basic lifting instead.

    I'd rather do my workout alone. Even my running is normally alone.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    I have 2 that I love. The first is "yogaflex" and the instructor is great. It's very calming and wonderful for limbering up and back problems. I told my husband to try it and he goes to every one too. Sometimes we've had a substitute instructor and I hated the class--the right instructor is key.
    The other class is "acquagym" in the pool. I've been doing this for 22 yrs. It's great for my OA and I go in the deep end and move fast. There again, the instructor makes or breaks the class, but I've been there so long I just speed up the moves if I think she's going too slow.
  • AliNouveau
    AliNouveau Posts: 36,287 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    No, I don't attend group classes. I have a couple of times in the past, just to try them, but I didn't find them enjoyable. There are a couple of reasons for that.

    First, my exercise time is my "me time", my time to be by myself. Everybody needs me time now and then but I'd say (and my family would like agree) that I need more of it than the average bear. I'm fairly introverted and after interacting with people all day at work I need a bit of solitude.

    Second, I have a lot of trouble learning physical things in a group environment. I'm not a natural at most athletic or dancing or other coordination-based movements. I've always found that I am still moving into a position while the class is several ahead of me. I tried a fairly basic yoga class (one that was supposed to promote relaxation) a few summers ago and even after several weeks nothing "clicked" with me. It caused more stress than it relieved so I quit.

    Third, for the most part, the classes don't involve activities or skills that I want to do. That part is just a matter of personal preference.

    I think the bolded is a good thing for the OP to listen to or for any instructors. Perhaps doing an into class where these are the movements you'll be doing or learning is a good thing. I can pick up choreography really easily, I've been doing it my entire life, but I've been to classes with friends and they struggle learning on the fly and get discouraged.
  • emmamcgarity
    emmamcgarity Posts: 1,594 Member
    I would guess that part of the reason for your post is that you are looking for ways to expand your business. It’s smart to understand what needs aren’t being met. I do a lot of Leslie Sansone videos and find it interesting that her walk based classes were born because she noticed some in her classes had trouble keeping up with the dance like aerobic moves. I’d encourage you to think about the classes you currently offer. Do they reach a broad audience? HIIT and Spin classes are all I hear about in my area. If my schedule were more clear, I’d personally not be interested in starting a class like that. I’d feel self conscious unlesss I had already attended beginner focused classes with that instructor and felt comfortable stepping up my game. Even if that beginner class was matketed toward seniors. Who is your current audience? Who is missing from your current audience?
  • mnbvcxzlkjhgfdsa12
    mnbvcxzlkjhgfdsa12 Posts: 204 Member
    I love my SoulCycle (Spin) class. I could cycle on a bike at home- it would be a lot cheaper! - but there is something about being in a group working towards the same goal that makes you work harder. You look around and think “If you can do this, I can do this!”.

    I think finding a class you enjoy really matters, doing something you don’t like is no fun, in a class or otherwise.

    I also like to run. For me that is a solo activity, the me time is part of why I do it.
  • BethE238
    BethE238 Posts: 222 Member
    I go in phases with them. I like them because they push me to workout harder, or teach me new things. In general, I prefer to workout by myself though, because it’s my only “me” time where I can watch or listen to whatever I want (music, tv, audiobooks) or just concentrate on myself and my thoughts. My main motivation for going to the gym every night is literally just so I can get alone time where I don’t have to talk to anyone or take care of anyone (I of course have other motivations, but that is my #1.)
  • JessAndreia
    JessAndreia Posts: 540 Member
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    I did 1. Was not what I thought I had signed up for. Was labelled beginner weight training, so I thought they were going through the basics of lifting, but it was a cardio weight lifting class. Hated it. Have not done a group class since but worked with a coach at the Y to learn some basic lifting instead.

    I'd rather do my workout alone. Even my running is normally alone.

    Yep. Similar experience. The ones I took at my gym were called full body strength (and they have one called cardio strength), so one would assume that one is a weight-lifting class. It was a combination of cardio, dumbbell work, and core work. Didn't dislike it, but not something I'd do regularly.
    I'm a little curious to do the cardio strength one just to see what the difference would be, but my cardio isn't good so a bit apprehensive.
  • M0n1KCR
    M0n1KCR Posts: 149 Member
    I go to Zumba and (sometimes) body combat classes. I like th fact that the schedule is set, I have to be there at a particular time, so I go (if I can go any time I want and work on my own, I never do...)
    Also, the instructors are important. I usually go to the gym in the afternoon after work. The instructors are fun, inspiring and they really know what they (and you) are doing, explain new movements and correct you if you are doing something wrong. During the summer holidays, I went a pair of times in the morning, a nd found the instructor just terrible, all appearance and no substance... won't be coming back to her classes. If the gym decided to put this lady in charge of the afternoon classes, I'd change gyms. Of course, liking the activity is important but, for me, the instructor attitude makes the class a success or a failure.
  • Gashliecrumb1
    Gashliecrumb1 Posts: 2 Member
    Group fitness has a few benefits for me. I draw energy from the people around me and push harder. I take inspiration from the older folks who are still at it.

    I'm prone to boredom, so I've tried a lot over the years - cardio kickbox, step, yoga, and powerlift. Currently, spin and bootcamp are my regular classes. As others have said - the instructor is key!! Form is so important and not all the instructors provide enough guidance. I really appreciate the ones who develop new routines and music mixes. It keeps things fresh.

    I'm very introverted but it isn't an issue. I attend the early classes before work. The crowd at the 5:30 and 6 am classes aren't there to socialize. They're a pretty focused, "knock it out" group so I haven't run into any gal pals who treat classes as social hour. My thought is you're not working hard enough if you can speak in full sentences.
  • Squish815
    Squish815 Posts: 150 Member
    I only do one (Zumba) and have done for nearly 2 years now - it was one of the first things I tried when I started to exercise.

    The only reason I've stuck with this is because the instructor is fantastic and the people that attend are great. If the class stopped for some reason I probably wouldn't start another - I'd just go the the gym for one extra day a week.
  • RunnerGirl238
    RunnerGirl238 Posts: 448 Member
    Nope. I spend all day talking to people and listening to people ...I just want to be in my headspace and jam out to NOFX

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