September 5, 2018
By: Elena Russo, Marketing Intern

A common “complaint” among individuals who work out on their own  is that they are tired of doing the same workouts over and over again. Some people stick to the same workouts out of habit, or simply because they are inexperienced and too nervous to branch out. A great, comforting way to get out of this funk is to take a group fitness class.

The benefits of taking group fitness classes are endless. While Fitness Centers (just like the one here at The Connection) offer great Personal Training, equipment, and opportunities, group fitness is a way to make working out even better. As a Group Fitness instructor myself, I can vouch for many benefits of taking these classes:

Social Opportunities
Group fitness classes are a great way to meet new people in your community and bond over common interests. The same participants typically go to the same or similar-style classes week after week and you will find that many of you share the same fitness goals. Together, you can work through them! It is also common for participants to talk to each other before and after classes, which gives you an opportunity to make new friends which  offers even more motivation to go in the first place.

Unlimited Class Options
Talk about switching up your workouts! You can sweat everything out with a cardio-based Zumba or Step based or Dance class, get your heart-rate up in a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) class, take a Body Sculpt class for some strength training,  strengthen your core in Pilates,  find a mind-body connection in Tai Chi, Reiki, Feldenkrais, or find your zen in a Yoga or Meditation class. The unlimited options can make your workouts a lot more fun and less tedious. It also makes it much easier to pick a workout that is exactly right for you. The Connection offers classes from early morning to late evening and on weekends too. All the Instructors are certified, caring and courteous professionals.

Motivation
A misconception about group fitness classes is that they are not enjoyable because the instructors are forcing you to do things and telling you what to do. Our instructors aren’t there to yell at you, they’re there to motivate you! In training, all instructors are taught about the importance of motivation,  but also, of offering modifications to make people feel successful in a fitness class.

These motivational cues will make you want to keep pushing through the workout and work harder as a participant. When you’re working out alone, you don’t have someone next to you saying, “You got this! You’re stronger than you think!” The group setting also helps with motivation. Because the whole room is doing the workout, you have the encouragement of others.

Knowledge and Form
A great long-term benefit about frequently taking classes is becoming more knowledgeable about exercises and learning the correct way to do them. Group fitness is all about doing exercises safely and effectively. If an instructor sees a participant doing an exercise in a way that could hurt them, they will help  the participant during or after class. You can use all of this knowledge and take it outside of group fitness to do a workout on your own .

Options and Modifications
There is no reason to be nervous about taking a group fitness class, especially because of all of the options instructors offer. There are options and modifications for every exercise, which is why classes are great for everyone. All fitness levels are welcome! You can even work out in a group fitness class if you’re  completely new to exercise,  pregnant,  or recovering from an injury, because of the endless modifications.  Just be sure to let the instructor know your limitations before class and always remember to listen to your body.

Fun
This one should go without saying, but some people don’t believe it. Group fitness is one of the best ways to work out because it’s so much fun! Sometimes it doesn’t even feel like a workout. You get to have fun with friends, listen to great music, and develop self-love.