Whether you are a fitness class newbie or a seasoned pro, group exercise can take your workout to the next level. From low-impact to high-endurance, fun to serious, relaxing to heart-pumping, there is a class for you! Not sure where to start? Check out this list of common group fitness options:
When you think of group fitness, Aerobics is probably the first thing that comes to mind. This cardio workout will get your blood pumping, increase your heart rate, and make you sweat! Aerobics is a good all-around exercise that helps with weight loss and endurance, and usually works many different areas of the body. Low-impact classes are great for beginners, and more challenging classes are usually offered for those with higher stamina. Step class is also a good cardio workout which uses a small platform or “step” and incorporates many different choreographed moves from basic to complex.
Want something that will stretch your body, make your limbs more flexible, relieve stress, and improve posture? Yoga or Pilates may be what you are looking for. Yoga is a great way to relax and unwind, soothe sore muscles, and help heal damage in your joints through stretching, breathing, and meditation. Pilates is similar in form to yoga, but concentrates on building core strength, flexibility, and coordination, as well as sculpting muscles.
Spin classes are extremely popular, and offer a sweat-inducing workout. Special stationary bicycles are used to provide an excellent cardio workout that can be tailored to any fitness level. The instructor will lead you through a warm-up, a “ride,” and a cool-down, with no special moves to master beyond pedaling. The resistance can be adjusted on the bikes, allowing both the novice and expert to keep up with the pace of the class.
Another fitness fad is Zumba®, a mix of aerobics and dance that is energizing and entertaining. The Latin-inspired workout burns fat and sculpts muscles, and helps with coordination, too. Zumba® is a fantastic calorie-burner, and class participants can easily forget that it is exercise and not a party!
Want a workout that really kicks butt? Kickboxing is a good mix of aerobic exercise and strength training that uses martial arts and boxing moves such as kicking and punching. Kickboxing includes different moves that build muscles and burn calories while helping with balance and core strength. If that isn’t hard-core enough, try Boot Camp. An extreme-impact class that mixes cardio, strength-building, and agility drills, boot camp is not for the faint of heart. The purpose of boot camp is to push participants to their limit for maximum results with military-style exercises – and instructors!
No matter what your level of fitness, group classes can give you the extra push you need to reach your goals. Working with trained instructors can help you learn new moves and ways to work your body that you never thought possible. And if you want your workout to be enjoyable? Sweating it out with a group of new friends is always fun!
