group fitness classes
hi friends! today I want to share with you all about something I’ve become more active in recently - group fitness classes! while running has been my primary form of exercise, I wanted to integrate some different types of fitness into my routine. luckily, my university gives students full free access to their wellness center and group classes, so it’s a great thing to take advantage of! even if you are not a college student, your local gym or even independent studios have group fitness!
if you work out regularly doing one consistent thing, such as running, biking, or another sport, you may find yourself wondering, “why do I need to have someone teach me how to do exercises?” while instructors definitely do teach, they do more than that! they serve to create an environment that is fun, welcoming, and motivating - which working out may not always seem like if you are alone. group fitness classes also hold you accountable for your activity, as consistency is very important if you are looking for results! so far, I’ve taken quite a few different kinds of classes, including body strength, HIIT, and cycling. these classes have helped me work different parts of my body and will contribute to my overall strength. if you’re not familiar with HIIT workouts, here’s a rundown.
I like using dumbbells in my activity periods, but you can do exercises with just your body weight or other equipment!
HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training. like the name suggests, you rotate between intervals of activity and rest. the American College of Sports Medicine describes the training as follows, “The intense work periods may range from 5 seconds to 8 minutes long, and are performed at 80% to 95% of a person’s estimated maximal heart rate, the maximum number of times your heart will beat in a minute without overexerting yourself. The recovery periods may last equally as long as the work periods and are usually performed at 40% to 50% of a person’s estimated maximal heart rate. The workout continues with the alternating work and relief periods totaling 20 to 60 minutes.” the ACSM also states that “HIIT training has been shown to improve: • aerobic and anaerobic fitness • blood pressure • cardiovascular health • insulin sensitivity (which helps the exercising muscles more readily use glucose for fuel to make energy) • cholesterol profiles • abdominal fat and body weight while maintaining muscle mass.” while this is just one type of class I’ve taken, I’ve already gained so much new knowledge!
overall, I think that group fitness classes are a great way for new people to get introduced to exercise, or for athletes who would like to try a different type of activity. health and wellness is not a static thing, it’s all about progression! each day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and foster a positive association with fitness in your community! happy learning everyone!
