Group fitness classes are popular for a reason, and everyone loves being instructed by an experienced instructor when going to the gym. And getting professional support without paying for a personal trainer is a huge bonus for joining group classes!
Some of the most common group fitness classes include cycling, strength training, yoga, water aerobics, dance, boot camp, barre, Pilates, and so much more. There’s no denying how everyone can benefit from the type of motivation and increased accountability that coincide with group fitness, and we know that you’ll love joining these types of classes at your local gym.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with the group fitness classes new city ny experts at The Rising Legends Academy of Fitness to create this list of do’s and don’ts associated with joining group training classes. There’s a lot that people need to keep in mind when exercising in a group, so if you’re new to group fitness and aren’t sure what you should be keeping in mind for your first few classes, check out the below sections to learn more about what’s kosher—and what isn’t—when participating in classes at your gym!
DO Research Your Gym’s Group Fitness Classes Before Joining
This is an important first step when you’re initially getting interested in joining group fitness classes at your gym or club. When you’re looking through a class schedule, you’ll likely want to read online or ask an instructor about a prospective class’s format.
The odds are that there will be plenty of videos that you can watch to get a good idea of what you’d be getting yourself into, which can dramatically improve your overall expectations. You could also simply walk by the classroom while the class is in session and watch for a few minutes to see if the class is something that you’d be interested in.
DO Arrive Early For Your Group Fitness Classes
And when we mean early, we mean around 10-15 minutes prior to the start of your class. This will give you plenty of time to figure out what equipment might be necessary for your class, and it’ll also give you plenty of time to find a spot in the room where you can get settled in.
It’s often a great idea to do some stretching prior to a group class, so getting there early will give you the time that you need to mentally and physically prepare yourself for your ensuing workout.
DO Inform Your Instructor About Any Medical Considerations & Injuries That You Have
This can often be an essential step when you’re just getting started with a new group fitness class and instructor, and you can always take a few minutes before class begins to let your instructor know about specific health issues that you might have.
This can give your instructor a heads-up about what to look for in your form, which can go a long way in terms of how they support you throughout the workout. It’s likely that there will be many modifications for the exercises in terms of accommodating various fitness levels, and your instructor could potentially give you unique modifications based upon your situation as well.
And even if you don’t get a chance to let your instructor know about your past injuries or medical considerations, you can always pay attention to the presented modifications that apply best for you.
DO Scan The Group Fitness Class Area For Anything Unsafe
This might seem like an unnecessary side note for most group fitness classes, but there are certain scenarios that could create an unsafe classroom.
For example, you’ll want to make sure that there aren’t any water bottles or dumbbells in your way if you know that you’ll be making lateral movements. Although your instructor will also be on the lookout for anything unsafe, it’s often on you to make sure that your personal space is free of any clutter.
DO Stay For The Entire Group Fitness Class
It’s important to stick it out through the entirety of a group fitness class, and this is especially the case if there’s stretching at the end. This gives your body the rest and recalibration that it needs after an intense workout, and it’ll also go a long way to improve your overall mobility and flexibility.
All of this reduces your likelihood of incurring an injury; however, if you do need to leave early, the right thing to do is let your instructor know ahead of time. But if you’re feeling unsafe or uneasy in any way during a group class, it’s technically ok to leave when you need to do so.
DON’T Interrupt Your Fitness Instructor
Although there will likely be some points when the instructor asks for questions, you still should never interrupt a fitness instructor while they’re teaching the class.
The odds are that your instructor is going to be too busy to give you extra attention during the middle of the class, and this is especially the case if your extra attention disrupts the group workout.
This is one of many reasons why it goes a long way to show up early for group fitness classes!
DON’T Attend Group Fitness Classes If You’re Feeling Sick
You should always stay at home if you’re not feeling well, because germs can surprisingly spread really quickly in these types of workout settings.
And it’s also possible that you could alter your recovery by exercising too hard while feeling under the weather, so be sure to come back to your group fitness classes once you’re doing better!
DON’T Stand In The Back Of Your Group Fitness Class
Although a lot of people like to hide out in the back areas of group fitness classes, this makes it more difficult for you to see your instructor and notice the intricate details of the form that you should be embodying during the exercises.
Standing in the back also makes it harder for your instructor to see you, which means that you might not get the help that you need when you need it.
DON’T Get Discouraged When Classes Get Tough
Even if you feel like you were a fish out of water in a new fitness class during your first session, it doesn’t mean that you should give up! Group fitness classes are supposed to be hard, so try not to compare yourself to seasoned veterans when you’re just getting started.
If anything, try to stick things out and get motivated by your classmates—because this can actually go a very long way toward helping you reach your long-term fitness goals!
Contact The Rising Legends Academy Of Fitness To Check Out Their Group Fitness Classes In New City NY!
There’s a lot that beginners need to keep in mind when they’re just getting started with group fitness classes at a new gym, and the above do’s and don’ts are a great starting point for all fitness enthusiasts.
The truth is that there’s a lot to love about group fitness classes, and we’re sure that you’ll find the perfect classes that match your unique interests and personal fitness requirements.
One of the top-rated fitness facilities in the New City NY area is The Rising Legends Academy of Fitness, and you can speak directly with their group fitness class instructors today about their class schedule when you go to their website via the link at the top of this article!