A new year is a great time for new fitness goals with group exercise! With many people wanting to improve their fitness and well-being, group exercise classes are a great option to start on the path towards a healthier lifestyle. They’re a great way to get your sweat on while having fun and being social. But if you’re still not convinced, read on to find out all the benefits of group exercise and why you should give it a try.
Professional instruction with group exercise
All of the group exercise classes at the YMCA are taught by certified fitness instructors. This means that you’ll be able to try workouts that you wouldn’t normally do on your own -- like Les Mills Body Pump, Zumba or a fun cycle class! The instructors will teach you to do the correct form and give modifications to increase or decrease the intensity. Group exercise classes are also a great way to feel the vibe of different instructors before committing to a personal trainer.
Motivation
Teamwork and camaraderie are the top reasons why people prefer group exercise over individual workouts. When a group exercise instructor is up front, asking for one more rep or to push just a little harder, there is a sense of “we’re all in this together” as you all get through a workout. And when the person next to you is keeping up, it pushes you to do better for yourself. Beginners can feel supported as well, knowing that even those who seems like “seasoned pros” were all in your place at some point, and you can get through this as you shoot for your goals.
Group of women in dance fitness class.[/caption]h3>Accountability
Going to the gym on your own can be difficult to stick to, since it’s so easy to just “push it off until tomorrow” over and over again. But with a group exercise class, there are set dates and times for each class, so missing one feels like a much bigger deal. It’s much easier to stick to something when you can schedule and plan for it on a regular basis, and that applies to working out.
Once you’re actually in the class, the instructor and your peers also help to hold you accountable. You’re not going to slack off if everyone around you is pushing themselves to the next level. And the instructor tells you when to take breaks and rest, so it’s a lot harder to stop every five minutes and check your phone and get off track.
Sense of Community
One of the best benefits of group exercise is the sense of community that you form. Everyone in there is working towards the same goal and going through the same workout. It’s a great place to meet people with similar fitness goals and create bonds with new workout buddies. Humans are social creatures that crave belonging to a group, and that’s exactly what group exercise classes provide. Between the fun music, a great workout and a group of people motivating each other, it can be an enjoyable way to exercise and make new friends.
Variety and Structure
Zumba, HIIT, Barre, Boot Camps, our Les Mills portfolio of classes … the list goes on! The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis offers more than 100 unique FREE group exercise classes that are included with your membership, so there is something for everyone! Including a variety of classes in your weekly workout regimen is a great way to keep you from getting bored and losing interest in exercising. Additionally, various workout classes target different muscle groups, helping to create muscle confusion, which keeps your body guessing and ramps up your metabolism. Group exercise classes also take the guesswork out of working out by providing a structured class with a warm-up, a balanced workout and a cool down. All you have to do is show up and get fit!
Are you ready to find a group exercise class and start getting in shape? Find a YMCA of Greater Indianapolis location near you and check out the current Group Exercise schedule to choose the perfect class for you.
