Why as a busy professional you should consider group exercise
What is Group Exercise? Well, some still refer to it as aerobics however, the term du jour is Group Exercise. It’s pretty straightforward – you’re in a group and you exercise. It brings together people of all abilities, and the class is delivered by a professionally qualified group exercise instructor. You might think – I don’t have time for this, one-on-one will work much better for my busy schedule. True, it might fit better into your schedule – but group exercise will keep you motivated and engaged, and you might even have fun: all ingredients to ensure you keep coming back.
Group exercise will get you hooked.
Why is that exactly? I’ll start with the music – as most group exercise programs use music to keep people focussed and to pump up the energy.
Exercising to music helps movement and your coordination. It boosts self-confidence, adrenaline (a hormone that increases blood circulation) and your breathing. It also gets you in the mood!
Music motivates! Research has indicated that music can reduce fatigue as it keeps you focused and for some can push you harder. It also arouses you mentally increasing your performance. Direct connection from auditory neurons to motor neurons can equate to a confident productive vibe. In addition it’s a well-known fact that listening to music can release feel good chemicals in the brain (Dopamine) which uplift and encourage your state of mind and make you feel less tired.
This is why, in most exercise to music programs, selection of music is extremely important. You know the feeling when your favourite tune comes on and you just want to get up and belt out some tunes. This is what we’re counting on with group exercise. We want you to feel the vibe, the energy, and get into it!
In addition, the beat of the music is vitally important. As an exercise to music instructor I remember learning choreography for my Fat buster class (yes, this is what some classes were called way way back when I and most female participants wore a G-string over our coloured lycra bike pants). Think Jane Fonda. Speed and tempo were so important. The beat was slower in the warm-up with possibly 120 Beats Per Minute (BPM) to it being way off the Richter scale at 155 BPM in the climax stages of the class.
As an instructor my music serves to create a holistic class – and ensures participants maintain momentum. We are in all in synch, it builds self-confidence and positivity thus equating to a productive workout which translates to a ‘I will come again’ vibe.
The next element I want to talk about is the sociality of classes. Meeting like-minded people will keep you coming back for more. It also assists and supports your performance. We all know that class environments build friendships even if you meet just once a week at a 6.30pm Body Combat Monday night class. You’re a team! A group! It builds camaraderie as seen in the more recent popular group exercise programs such as Cross Fit, Boot camps etc all designed to develop strength, agility and cardiovascular fitness using apparatus and stations, as well as team spirit. You are all in it together; uniting physical vigour and sweat, celebrating success during and after a workout. This leads to you setting short and long-term goals as you get stronger, fitter and leaner. Not to mention having developed some friendships along the way.
Accountability is the next element. Particularly if you are meeting your gym people in the class. You will want to show up as your team and the instructor are expecting you. You will also be missed when you’re not there. It’s a social support system and again research indicates people who exercise together are more likely to stick to it then going it alone.
So busy entrepreneurs have a think about group exercise. It might not fit into your schedule as easily as slogging it out on the treadmill alone, but it will lift the monotony, and ensure that you maintain momentum. Critical to fitness. Group exercise is structured, social and collective and can change the way you experience fitness. Put simply it’s fun – and what better incentive to ensure you keep coming back then actually having fun?
And you won’t have to compromise on flexibility. There are innumerable options to a group exercise class to suit beginners to advanced levels. From light pace to massive exertion levels. Indoor (in gyms) to the outdoors. 30-minute express to 1-hour classes. Variety is the spice of life!
Most importantly, it is also led by a fitness professional which means you will receive instruction, technique and support.
So, from pram walking groups to RPM Spin, Boot Camp to Cardio Box. Group exercise is the key to unlocking a new dimension to your training.
A treadmill, a rower, a run can provide you with a fitness workout but it can’t provide accountability, team spirit, sociability and friendship! Join a group fitness class for maximum results and fun. Build a connection with your body and mind with like-minded people.
Barbara Wilson is a Registered Gym Instructor / Group Exercise Instructor / Group Exercise Leader with Fitness Australia.
Barbara is a Level 2 in the Australian Register of Exercise Professionals with over 23 years in the health and fitness industry. Barbara is an experienced Les Mills instructor in Body Attack, Body Combat and RPM. She also instructs group exercise classes in TRX, Boxing, Aqua and Circuit.