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How To Get The Most Out of Your Group Classes

Kate Burggraf
Mar 24, 2015
2 min read

I have been a Group Fitness Instructor for a little over four years now, and I have been a group fitness member for longer than that.

What is it about group classes that draw people in? There are so many answers to this question. I think people are often more motivated when others are around. There is an accountability aspect, especially when you get to know the people that take the same classes as you do. It's about building a family, new friendships, and a routine that you share with other people that you might not otherwise have met. Sometimes the sense of accomplishment is so much sweeter when there is someone else there to share it with you.

But I also think there can be another "side" so to speak of group classes. I have been to so many classes all over New York City, I have had my share of horrible instructors, horrible gym conditions, bad music, bad energy, bad programming, and more. But the other "side" I am talking about is about you.

It doesn't matter that I am an experienced trainer and instructor, I still get nervous when I go to new studios and classes! It's intimidating not know what the class will be like, if the instructor will be knowledgeable and have great energy. You wonder if the other people in the class will be open and friendly. You wonder if it is going to be too hard or too easy. You start to compare yourself to others in the class, deciding if you're in better shape or worse shape than they are. There is so much inner dialogue, you have to have the strength to just tell your inner dialogue to, "Shut Up!"

We are SO hard on ourselves, it's time we give ourselves a little credit. After all, we SHOWED up! We are at least somewhat in tune with our health and well being, that we are signing up for group classes. And you know what? If you are having all of these negative self thoughts about yourself then chances are the other people in the class are as well.

Really excellent group classes are hard to come by. By excellent group classes I mean a couple of things: the instructor is friendly and approachable, he or she asks for injuries before the class starts and not in front of others, the instructors energy is positive and affective, the music is bumpin' and motivating, the class is programed well and no one part of the body is overly worked or under worked, the class is well-rounded and the space reflects that, the members who are attracted to the class are respectful, and they don't charge for damn towels!

I recently read a short article on Well & Good about a similar subject. It lists 5 ways to stop beating yourself up during your group classes. Take a look at it here!

http://wellandgood.com/2015/03/23/5-ways-to-quit-beating-yourself-up-at-your-workouts/

And as I like to tell my clients and class members, "Negative self-talk is SO last year."

Cheers!