Carmen Paddock gives us the run down of many of the fitness classes available for you to try…
One of the scariest things about starting at a new fitness centre, or joining a gym in the first place, is the great range of exercise classes on offer. It does not help that intense or unfamiliar sounding titles make these classes seem incredibly intimidating, which could not be further from the truth! This breakdown of common gym classes makes it evident that all abilities, preferences, and training goals are catered for, so there is no reason to be scared off from trying a new programme!
Aerobics
The goal of this class is to elevate your heart rate and keep it there for 30-60 minutes, making it ideal for those wishing to improve cardiovascular fitness and/or lose weight. Aside from a warm up and a cool down, it is not typical for you to stop moving for the entire time! These are definitely difficult, but the movements allow for variation in intensity, thus making it flexible for all stamina levels and certainly open for complete gym novices!
Zumba
Calling all dance lovers! This class is based in hip-hop and Latin dance moves combined with short sections of aerobics, all choreographed to fun dance songs. Classes usually run from 45-60 minutes with a warm up, a cool down, and very short breaks between each choreographed number. No dance experience? No problem! The moves repeat themselves, and there are variations for all levels of dance ability and fitness. It is a great way to have a fantastic time whilst getting fit!
Anything with ‘Pump’, ‘Sculpt’, or ‘Conditioning’ in its title
These classes typically focus on toning muscles, sometimes targeting certain areas of the body and using other equipment – for instance bars, dumbbells, balls, straps, steps, mats, or a combination thereof – to challenge you in different ways. ‘Pump’ classes almost always involve some form of weights. Although there is a wide variety of class types within this heading, you may want to check one of these out if you are looking to improve muscle tone or strengthen a certain muscle group.
LBT – ‘Legs, Bums and Tums’
This toning class falls under the category above and is exactly what is says in the title: leg and abdominal work combine to offer a full sculpting workout targeting the lower half.
Pilates
Developed in the early 20th century by the dancer-turned-fitness specialist Joseph Pilates, this is a conditioning routine which builds flexibility, stamina, balance, and strength whilst focusing on correct alignment and posture. It is most popular among dancers and casual exercisers but practised by athletes of all disciplines as well. It is a low-impact, full-body workout which can be modified for all levels.
Yoga
This practice originated in ancient India as part of a physical, mental, and spiritual system aiming to improve wellness and find inner peace. There are several different ‘schools’ but three common ones you will encounter are hatha, vinyasa, and power: hatha or holistic yoga is gentle, easy, and focused on stretching and rehabilitating muscles; vinyasa yoga, varying from moderate to more difficult, focuses on breath and building stamina; and power yoga is an intense strength and flexibility session typically recommended for more advanced yogis. More detailed information about these and other schools can be found online, along with lots of advice, tips, and encouragement for newcomers. Yoga might sound intimidating, but every pose has variations tailoring it to every experience level. Since research has proved that yoga improves both sports performance and overall wellness, there is no reason not to give it a try!
Spinning
This is essentially a cycling race in an exercise studio. An instructor calls out instructions on cycle resistance level and pedalling speed as high-energy music keeps you energised and motivated. As the difficulty and tempo varies throughout, this is an excellent (and certainly challenging) workout for leg strength and cardiovascular fitness, cycling enthusiasts, and those who often get bored by the monotony of gym equipment. As with all classes, you take this at your own pace, making it suitable for novices and gym rats alike.
Carmen Paddock
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