Have you been trying to get back into the gym consistently for months with no luck? Maybe you were on a roll, but then you got sick, or work got busy and you took a few days off, and suddenly, two months have gone by without setting foot into the gym. We have all been there! The good news is, you have come to the right place. Let this blog act as motivation to get back to working on your best self. In this post, we’ll give you five reasons why group fitness may be your ticket to your fitness success.
Why is Group Fitness a Good Choice?
Whether you are just getting started on your fitness journey, or you have been an avid gym goer for years, it is never a bad time to join group fitness classes near you. Did you know, according to the American Heart Association, it is recommended that children and adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of the two? That may sound intimidating, but that can easily be knocked out with two to three group fitness sessions a week, depending on the intensity of the classes. This is only an hour out of your day several times a week, and it can have a huge improvement on your health and quality of life. To drive the point home, here are 5 reasons why group fitness is essential to your workout routine.
1) Accountability
We all know the feeling, you just got off work, and all you want is to hit the gym, pop your earbuds in, and sweat the stress of the day away in the comfort of your favorite workout playlist. There isn’t anything wrong with this, and sometimes it is satisfying to workout without worrying about socializing. BUT, this is likely one of the biggest reasons you can’t seem to stick with the gym – we are often not disciplined enough to keep ourselves on track. Everyone has different levels of self-motivation and discipline, but it never hurts to have someone else remind you to get your butt in the gym from time to time. Better yet, there are likely fellow fitness enthusiasts in your local group fitness classes that can push you to work even harder and achieve greater results than you thought possible. If you have been struggling with sticking to a workout routine on your own, look no further!
2) Professional Guidance
One of the biggest reasons beginners never step foot into a local gym is the fear of not knowing what to do. This is for good reason, as there is potential injury that could result from improper form or use of equipment. Luckily, most people at your local gym are generally kind and willing to give you helpful advice, but why not remove the fear of the unknown completely from the start? You can jump into group fitness classes and start learning exercises under the supervision of a trained professional. They can correct your form, teach you about new equipment, show you alternative movements, and much more! There is a sense of relief when beginning a new hobby or routine when you have a trained professional to guide you along the way. Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you any longer!
3) Variety
It’s Monday, and you realize you don’t want to get up and go to the gym. What gives? You have been on top of it and ready to get your pump in for several months now. Aside from striking out with your gym crush, things have been going great! Except you have been doing the same routine since you started, and it is starting to get a little boring. While it is important to get proficient at foundational compound movements when you just begin going to the gym, there eventually comes a time when you will crave some variety. Aside from just shifting your personal routine, group fitness classes are an extremely easy and fun way to introduce some variety in your fitness routine.
4) Intensity
While you are likely pushing yourself in your lifting sessions, unless you are dedicating time to intense aerobic exercise, you likely aren’t reaping the benefits of higher intensity training. Group classes often force you out of your comfort zone and push you to work harder with less breaks between exercises. This raises your heart rate for longer periods of time, causing you to build endurance and encourage heart strength. The beauty is, not every group fitness class is based around more intense HIIT cardio. While that is certainly an option, if you aren’t ready for that kind of training, there are plenty of options that fit the level of intensity you are looking for. For example, Kinesis gym in Archbold, Ohio offers a variety of group classes ranging from foundational movements up to intense strength training utilizing free weights and kettlebells. Don’t hesitate to find a class that not only meets your current fitness level, but also pushes you even further.
5) Cost
Personal trainers can be a great way to jumpstart your fitness progress and get a well-rounded introduction to how to use equipment properly. The only issue, of course, is personal trainers cost upwards of 100s of dollars a month for multiple weekly sessions! Once you find a trainer you like, you also have to compete for their time, as they certainly have many other clients seeking sessions with them. The good news is that group fitness classes are an excellent way to get to know multiple trainers and essentially share their time with other gym-goers. Many gyms offer a la carte options for classes and even discounts for signing up for monthly memberships. This means you can spend much less and still get the benefits of a professional personal trainer to guide you through exercises and movements.
Conclusion
If you are unsure of what to do at the gym or are seeking a fun, social environment to kick your fitness journey into overdrive, consider joining a group fitness class near you! There is certainly a perfect class for you that fits your goals and preferences, and future you will thank past you for taking the plunge into an active lifestyle that enhances your social circle and betters you every day.