Whether you are a new or seasoned athlete, there are many reasons to consider group fitness classes.
Stepping into a group fitness class for the first time can be intimidating, even if you are not ‘new’ to the gym. It is all too easy to think that others will judge where you are in your fitness journey, yet this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Group fitness classes are not as scary as they seem. Everyone is working through challenges of their own; everyone has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Group classes (especially here at CrossFit Billings) are a place for people to come together and build each other up, surrounded by a community of individuals all trying to be the best versions of themselves.
Most people will walk away in a better mood after a group fitness class. Whether you are brand new to the gym or a high-level athlete, you will be appropriately challenged with a workout that can be modified to fit your needs.
Motivation & Accountability
A study in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine found that individuals who sign up and commit to group classes are more likely to stick to their fitness plan while also maintaining higher levels of motivation.
This makes sense. When you sign up for a class, you have a scheduled time to work out. It is harder to skip a workout when you have a set aside time, and it also makes it easy to get into a routine that you can keep.
While group fitness classss can hold you accountable to take control of your fitness, they also offer motivation, especially on the days where the last thing you want to do is workout. I have seen this time and time again. Classes start with a warm up that gradually builds up to a high-intensity workout. The energy of the class builds throughout the hour, and often times people surprise themselves with just what they are capable of even on “bad” days.
Structured Plan
How often do you go to the gym to work out alone and have no idea what to do?
Having a plan at the gym is one of the key factors to success. Not only does it allow for efficient use of time, it also sets you up to work on weakness, touch on strengths, and continue to improve strength, stamina, and endurance.
Group Fitness classes are pre-designed to give members a wide variety of fitness challenges throughout the week that lead to long-term results. Committing to group classes (even on days when you may not like the workout) will be far more useful than walking in alone with no plan and only working on your favorite movements.
Professional guidance
Group Fitness Classes are run by trained coaches who are there to help you improve your form, learn your body, and help tailor the workout to best suit your fitness needs.
Especially when beginning a fitness journey, you may not know exactly how hard to go with certain workouts or movements. You may not quite know how to pace through certain time domains or what weights will yield the best results.
In a group class, a coach is there to help you. Each class is put through a warmup where every moment is detailed and broken down. The stimulus and purpose of each workout is explained, allowing you to get the most out of the hour.
Challenge and Variety
Every day is different here at CrossFit Billings. We work hard to program workouts that challenge you in different ways each day. Strength, endurance, stamina, and recovery are all prioritzed.
In CrossFit especially, group fitness classes are a great way to challenge yourself with the pure diversity of movements that we perform. There is always something to work on and improve, and not only does this build our fitness as our bodies adapt to different movements, it keeps things interesting and fun.
Community
Community is perhaps one of the greatest draws of group fitness classes. Even if you think you prefer to work out alone (I was one of these people) I would encourage you to try group fitness classes.
There is something about working out with others that makes us push harder and be more invested in our workouts. It has been shown that participants in group classes achieve higher levels of exertion and intensity compared to working out alone. This leads to better results; it makes us fitter and stronger when we allow ourselves to push to higher levels of performance.
And on the days when we may not feel our best, everyone is extremely supportive and never judgemental. At the end of the day, you are surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals who are all on their own personal fitness journeys, and that comradeship tends to motivate individuals in their goals and dreams.
Mind-Body Benefits
Mental health is becoming a key component of overall well-being, and group classes can be instrumental in building our mental health.
Group fitness classes offer social support, generate a sense of achievement, contribute positively to overall mood, and help set up a structured routine. Having this extra support in your day not only helps your physical health, but your mental health as well.
CrossFit especially offers many mental benefits. To read more about the benefits of CrossFit and mental health, click here.
Overall, there are many reason to consider trying group fitness classes. Even if you think they may not be your cup of tea, many people are surprised by how much value they gain from participating in these classes.
To try out classes at CrossFit Billings, click here or follow the link below.
Article by Karisa Stapp
