Group Exercises

Are group exercises for you? The solitary pounding of the pavement during a jog or the self-imposed isolation of standing in a corner lifting weights can get a bit tedious, especially for an extroverted person who thrives in the company of others. The biggest benefit lies in the motivational boost, as it is hard to slack discreetly when everybody's doing the same thing.

Technically, anyone already going to a gym most likely benefits from group exercises. In reality, the difference lies in how you're wired. If you're the kind of person who loves to jump into social situations and draw energy from a group setting, this form of exercise is likely to work well.

Group exercises are not for everyone, however; some find it distracting to have some schmuck bumping into them or spraying sweat all over the place. There have even been news stories about people committing assault because some yahoo just can't keep from hooting and hollering through the whole darn workout. If you're more introverted or the kind of person who's not very tolerant of other people being jerks, steer clear -- it's just not worth the aggravation.

If you fit the former profile, however, what you choose to do is less important as long as it approximates your current fitness level. Most classes are pretty obvious right in the title; "Advanced Cardio Kickboxing" may not be suitable for a 60something woman who just joined the club, for example. If you're unsure, ask at the counter.

There's a wide array of group exercises out there, ranging from gentle pilates for pregnant women to hardcore martial arts mutations focusing on [:Category: Abs and Core Workouts|core] strength. There are a few golden rules that apply pretty much across the board, however:

• Be on time - Most gyms can't lock the doors for fire code reasons; some take this as an invitation to join the class five, 10 or even more minutes after its start. This is very disruptive to the instructor and the others -- avoid this and be on time.

• Manage your gear - Having a sweaty towel and a water bottle is perfectly normal and even expected. Leaving stuff where others stumble on it is not, and dragging more than you need for the class itself is generally not a good idea -- use the lockers! Also, remember to only bring plastic bottles. Broken glass tends to be quite unpleasant.

• Don't bump into others - Unless you're taking some kind of martial arts class, it is generally considered rude to make physical contact with others. If you're a beginner or simply have poor balance, choose a spot along the edges where you can minimize the effect of your mishaps.

• Zip it - Responding to the instructor when prompted is expected, but don't take it upon yourself to become the unofficial group cheerleader. Whooping it up may be very motivational to you, but others are fantasizing about yanking out the spinning bike saddle and stuffing it down your throat.

• Keep your sweat to yourself - Working up a good sweat is the point of the exercise. If you're prone to excessive sweating, ie. where you have drops of it flying all over when moving, make sure to keep a gym towel handy for frequent wipe-downs. Don't forget to apply a dab of extra deodorant beforehand too.

• Dress appropriately - Your ripped, super skimpy tanktop was The Bomb back when you were a 20something bodybuilder in the early 1990s. Fast forward 15 years and 30 lbs, and it's not quite as hot when your midlife crisis pulls you back into the gym for a comeback. The same goes for women dressing like they were doing a swimsuit photo shoot rather than Tae Bo. Bottom line: err to the side of caution and dress decently.

• Be nice - Simply put, don't be a jerk. Someone may be a beginner and encroach into "your" space, or perhaps someone was clumsy and accidentally kicked your bottle over. Take the Zen stance and don't make a big deal.

Group exercises can be very beneficial for anyone tired of the solo efforts in the gym or outdoors, but learn the basic rules to make sure you don't become that person, the one who makes people wince when you enter the room.

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• Category:Types of Exercise