Year on year the
popularity and attendance of group exercise classes keeps on growing. Ranging
from 30 minute fast classes through to hour long training sessions, the benefits
of group exercise classes is both physiological and psychological as well as the
social inclusion in the group exercise environment.
Putting the personal into group exercise
Exercising in a group environment can not only be challenging but a lot more
fun than just working out on your own. You may also find that the people in the
classes have similar goals and likes so it is a great social environment and a chance
to meet new, like minded people. Working out in an environment where everyone else
is exercising towards the same goal and having the encouragement of an instructor
to guide you through the class can greatly improve your motivation.
Group exercise training can cater to a variety of fitness goals, if you are looking
to lose weight then aerobic type classes such as body conditioning, pump fx, circuit
training,
T3
HIIT and indoor cycling are for you. Flexibility goals can be achieved in classes
such as yoga training sessions and Pilates classes and if you’re just looking for general fitness then you
can try a varied combination of the many classes that will be on offer at any local
health club/gym.
For most it is thought a common reason to quit a gym or exercise program is boredom
or lack of understanding of what to do to start seeing actual results. Classes can
offer this structure, support and motivation system that attending the gym alone
cannot. Furthermore, group exercise is formatted in a way that means a class should
cater to all, there should be relevant adaptations and progressions offered by instructors
which allow classes to act as a stepping stone into exercise for some, whilst a
week in week out physical training session for others.
Become a group exercise to music instructor today.
Group exercise instructors can offer participants a safe and effective, well-structured
workout including all the components of fitness, from flexibility through to cardiovascular
and muscular strength and/or endurance. Often when working out alone participants
will miss out important components of a session, such as post workout stretching,
this could be due to time constraints or just not having a correctly structured
plan.
There are several plus points to group exercise, mainly its diversity. From outdoor
training boot camps to salsa dancing at the local community centre. The face of
group exercise has changed in recent years, making it more accessible to those who
do not necessarily own a gym membership. If we can keep people moving and more active
doing something that’s fun and enjoyable, surely it can only be a good thing.
Interview with Exercise to Music Instructor Olivia Birchenough
