There’s no denying the appeal of a gym’s class calendar. All day, every day, they offer exotic-sounding dance classes, spin sessions, boot camps, yoga clinics, you name it. While your solo-exercise endeavors have always suited you well, you can’t help but wonder—are you missing out by not giving group lessons a go? Besides not letting one of the biggest benefits of that costly gym membership go to waste, here are some other reasons to consider signing up for classes.
Accountability
When you become a regular in a class or group that meets consistently, you start to feel obligated to attend. Some people need this type of commitment in order to stick with their goals and resist the temptation to skip workouts. Knowing that friends or an instructor may be disappointed if you don’t show up helps to keep you accountable. Just thinking about the hard time your gym buddies will give you when you blow off the 6 a.m. or 6 p.m. class is often enough motivation to get you there (which can be the toughest part!).
Variety
With endless classes to choose from, workout boredom will never be a problem. Incorporating variety into your exercise routine will help you stick with an active lifestyle and in return see results. Each day you can choose a different workout according to your goals. For example, if you want to improve cardiovascular strength or lose weight, sign up for aerobics-based classes such as basic or step aerobics, indoor cycling, kick boxing or Zumba®. Interested in improving muscle strength or endurance? Boot camp, weight-training class, calisthenics or group personal training lessons may be best for you. If you want to increase flexibility, balance or relaxation, try a stretching or yoga class once or twice a week.
During the warmer seasons, many clubs and even local community centers have biking or running clubs that let you exercise outdoors for a change of scenery and fun with a group.
Encouragement
The energy in a group workout is contagious. You may feel a little awkward at first, but the minute the class or workout begins, you feel a sense of community that you’ll never experience while working out alone. Being in a group and hearing that music pumping can give you an extra push when you need it, plus the instructor will help encourage you to keep moving if you start to slow down or give up. Seeing your classmates still going is also encouraging—if they can do it, so can you!
Friendships
Sometimes working out by yourself may seem like, well, work. How often have you felt like you’ve been exercising for 30 minutes only to realize you’re 10 minutes in? Exercising with others can help push you through tough workouts or just lighten the mood. There’s a good chance you’ll make friends, too. Many people find that they originally signed up to get fit but ended up with friends working toward the same goals.
Instructor assistance
If you’ve ever walked into a gym and didn’t know where to begin, a group lesson would have been a great place to start. Having a certified instructor lead you through a structured class can instantly ease worries. Most classes are led by experienced, highly skilled, fully certified instructors who receive continued education to keep them up to date in the fitness world. Instructors are trained to motivate, coach and offer modification for moves according to your fitness level. They’ll show you proper technique, explain which muscles are being used and where you should be feeling the exercise.
Time
Is time tight for you? Don’t let it be an excuse to not work out! Many classes and group lessons range in time from 15 minutes to over an hour with a variety of sessions available throughout the day. So do your research and find a slot that works for you.