WORTHINGTON -- Many of us view exercise in a negative way.
Exercise is most commonly viewed as something that must be done rather than something that can be enjoyed. One of the most important trends in the past few years for fitness is group exercise.
A majority of group exercise classes are offered at fitness clubs in the form of aerobics, yoga and spinning classes.
Group exercise provides each class member with a scheduled and supervised workout. Working out with an instructor also allows each participant to exercise with proper technique. Proper technique is important to maximize the benefit of exercise while minimizing the risk of injury.
A common reason people have for quitting an exercise program is boredom. A variety of group exercise classes will help to keep you motivated and interested, as well as give you different instructor styles, music selection and interaction with other participants. For many, an hour-long workout goes by very quickly when there is music playing and you are trying new exercises.
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Exercising in a group setting gives people a sense of personal commitment to continue the activity and to derive social support from each other. Research has shown that those who exercise in a group setting are more likely to adhere to their workout programs.
The scheduled time of a group exercise class increases the likelihood that the individual will show up to the class. When working out on your own, there is no penalty for a missed workout. This accountability can provide some extra motivation to stick with the program.
Despite all the social, health, and personal benefits of exercising, many people still choose not to exercise due to a lack of time, energy and motivation. The problem with the perceived lack of time lies in our priorities. A sedentary lifestyle and a lack of physical activity can contribute to cardiovascular disease, depression and obesity. We have been focusing on treating the health issues rather then exercising and controlling the risk factors to prevent them.
The different forms of group exercise classes can seem overwhelming to an individual looking to get started in a group exercise class. Beginners should try to frequent a facility that offers a wide variety of classes. This will allow the new participant to try many different types of group exercise classes and to also find the type of group exercise class that best suits the individual.
For members trying a class for the first time, identifying yourself as a beginner to the instructor is important. This will allow the instructor to introduce modified exercises more appropriate to a beginner, and to watch carefully for proper exercise form. This will help create a more comfortable first time experience for the new participant.
Find a group exercise class that you enjoy, and go for it. If you get bored, try something new. If you're moving, it counts! No matter which form of group exercise you choose, you just need to choose one!
For more on this topic, see Ryan's video at www.dglobe.com
