Being self motivated is something that a lot of people find challenging. If you are one of those people who can’t push yourself to your max on your own, then you should really consider going to a gym that offers classes.
Classes give you something to look forward to. Do you ever walk into the gym and look around and feel lost? You are not sure what kind of workout you want to do and you came in unprepared? Joining a class takes that stress away from you. The instructors will take charge of the workouts and know when to take a break and when to push your limits. They are there to encourage you, not to belittle you. If an instructor does single you out, don’t take it personally, they just want to make sure you are doing it properly so you can get the most out of your workout.
Watching those DVDs or online workouts at home are great but most people need to be self motivated to go at the video instructor’s pace while doing everything they are doing on the screen. It is so easy to quit when it becomes too tough when you are working out alone at home. Do you really see yourself slacking off if you are in a class filled with people who are pushing themselves along with an instructor? Probably not, which is exactly what you need to have a successful workout.
When you are in a class with an instructor that is going at a faster pace with smaller amount of breaks, it will keep your heart rate at an average of 140-170 beats per minute. Your heart rate will stay elevated and will take you to the “afterburn effect” also known as EPOC, Excess-Post Oxygen Consumption. EPOC is the amount of calories you burn as you are resting and recovering from a strenuous workout. If you’re working out at home and taking as many breaks as you want and going at a slower pace, then your heart rate won’t get that high for the length of the workout which means you won’t have the benefit of EPOC.
Classes make you accountable. You sign up for the class, you go to the class. Signing up for anything makes you feel obligated to take part in whatever you signed up for. Now you feel like you have to go to the class because you told the participants and the instructor that you are attending and taking a spot in that class. The instructors are excited to see new people and they will notice if you don’t show up!
Lastly, and possibly the most important reason to take a class are the relationships! You build a bond with the people you workout with and you get to know your instructor on a personal level as well. It is alway a good idea to workout with people who have similar goals as you because that means they will push you instead of holding you back which is something we all need. Your classmates are there to better themselves and motivating the people around them just becomes second nature.
Joining a class can be very intimidating for some people…”What if i’m not as good as everyone else?” or “what if the instructor singles me out”. There are so many excuses you can make to not join a class but then you would be missing out on a chance to really challenge yourself and see how far you can go.
I hope you check out our classes at the gym and sign up! You will see a difference in how you feel and you will have a bond with the people around you.
Please scroll down to see the classes Springfield Health and Fitness has to offer!
Spinning
Cardio Boxing
BodyPump
Bodyshred
FLEX HIIT
Cycle30
Yoga
Rockin’ to the Oldies
Shine Dance
Core
Step Aerobics
For more information, check out our classes page!