The advantages of Group Fitness classes.

In a previous Post I have talked about the benefits of Group Fitness Training - particularly when starting out. Groups offer 'safety in numbers', the chance to meet new friends and like minded people, and the opportunity to get into a routine before perhaps going it alone, or with a PT. It is a structured, organised and relatively safe environment and everyone will be at a different level - but that's OK because that factor is recognised by your Instructor and it adds to the enjoyment anyway. Below is an article I sourced from 'articlesbase' (http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/the-advantages-of-group-fitness-7143361.html) and is written by Scarlet Lenoir, who provides some further insight into the benefits and advantages that such Group classes offer. Read on if your are wondering!




Health, fitness and good looking bodies are issues that more and more people are concerned with every passing day. Whether they worry about their health, they want to look fitter or they wish to lose weight, people have started eating healthier, exercising more and basically just pay more attention to the way they feel in their own bodies. For a while now, personal training was hugely promoted and everybody was talking about the great benefits of working with the best personal trainers that most towns & cities now have to offer. Celebrities were doing it, political figures were doing it, everybody in the community was doing it, so you had to do it too. While it cannot be said that personal training has its perks and gives results where it should, there is also a lot to be said about group fitness programs, as these types of programs have been widely overlooked due to the frenzy caused by the personal fitness training trend.

One of the first and most important advantages of group fitness programs is motivation. Personal training also gives you the right kind of motivation, but it only comes from one direction: your coach. While personal trainers can be vastly experienced and highly skilled in inspiring people and motivating them to move forward, for some individuals one voice is just not enough. There are people who, although lack personal motivation from their character, they become highly competitive when in a group or community. To that extent, group training is the best course of action for them, as they get motivated not only by the personal trainers, but also by the progress of other members in the group, always trying harder and harder to get ahead and to remain there.

Another great benefit of group fitness training is the feeling of inclusion. There are individuals who, when training alone, they feel just that: alone. When things get hard and the process frustrated, they imagine they are the only ones dealing with such hardship, which is demoralising. Training as part of a group gives them the feeling of affiliation that they need, showing them that they are not alone and that there are many other people who are going through the exact same thing and this helps them move forward.

All things taken into account, however beneficial it may be to work out with personal trainers, group training is not to be overlooked, as it brings important advantages to the table, some of which personal training cannot offer. It is also important to look for the best suitable group fitness, as there are many gyms, fitness centres and boot camps that offer this type of service and they all have different approaches, so you have to take a little time and research the market well before deciding on a certain provider. Luckily, you now have the full support of the Internet, which will significantly facilitate the research process, as most of the gyms and fitness centres today have websites where they present and promote their services and from where one can find out detailed information about their programs.

WhyWeight - Don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Group fitness training - another good option!

You will have noticed by now that I have dedicated quite a few Posts already to the Personal Trainer - choosing one, what to expect and reinforcing how this can provide the structure, the drive and the commitment that you need - especially if you are starting out new on your exercise routine. Looking for the right subject matter to keep you informed is important to me, and so I found this for you on ezinearticles that makes a lot of sense too, and again serves to reinforce the message if you are still unsure how to progress.

Group training programmes are a great way to get to know new people in very much the same or similar positions to your own, they are more cost effective, still structured and offer plenty of variety depending on your wants and needs. This I grabbed from Cee Rose (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cee_Rose and through Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8487777)


Group fitness instructors work with multiple people at one time in a multitude of different fitness areas. Those who wish to learn about CrossFit, yoga, boot camp, indoor cycling, Zumba, Pilates, kickboxing, and a variety of other exercises usually partake in a group setting rather than try the exercise alone. Group fitness is a great motivator, and encourages everyone to participate, resulting in working harder and learning faster from everyone in the group. The most successful fitness instructors typically have a few traits that make them efficient in their job.

People person. 
As this individual will be completely focused on helping other people, having an outgoing and friendly attitude will be very beneficial. Being able to connect with clients will help both the instructor and the group to feel more comfortable, especially for those who are in the class for the first time.
High energy.
Most group instructors teach more than one class a day, if this is their full-time job. Even if being a group instructor is a second job, these individuals still need to find the energy to complete their first job before moving onto teaching a fitness class. Once in the class, instructors must try to transfer their high energy to the rest of the group. Being both motivating and encouraging also accompany this trait.

Certification.
Most people who participate in classes would rather be taught by someone who is certified. This shows that the instructor is experienced, and has the ability to teach a class with the proper instruction. Some of the most well-known agencies from which individuals may earn this certification include The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and The American Council on Exercise (ACE). There are many other agencies from which certification may be earned, as well.

Knowledgeable.
While being able to efficiently teach one class may be enough for some instructors, others want to learn more than just one fitness style. Earning specialized certification in addition to the general certification is highly encouraged. For example, general certification allows most instructors to teach cardio classes, but specialized certification is available in areas such as Pilates, yoga, and kickboxing, among others.

These characteristics should also be found in those who are also personal trainers. Often times, group fitness instructors also train people on an individual basis, in order to allow for extra attention and coaching in certain areas. The above-mentioned are just a few of the traits valued in an instructor. Those who teach group fitness all have their own style, whether with music, pace, interval training, or the number of participants allowed in each class. Those considering taking a group fitness class should search for an instructor with whom they feel comfortable, both in personality and in exercise expertise.

WhyWeight - Don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-