Fitness novices start out enthusiastic at the prospect of getting in shape or losing weight. They pay their gym memberships or pick up their free passes and group class schedules. Then, they look down at the schedule and wonder what they’ve gotten themselves into. Except for the word cardio, they don’t know what to expect in any of the classes. This article is designed to help new gym goers learn the language of fitness classes.
Spinning or Cycling
I’ll never forget the day I told someone I was taking a spinning class, and they asked me what kind of class that was. That person literally thought that it was a cardio class were we spun around in circles. Strange as that may sound, many people don’t know what to expect in a spinning or cycling class. It is, in fact, a cardio workout on a special stationary bike. Music plays as the instructor tells students to increase or decrease the bikes tensions. At times, students with be told to get out of their seat and pedal or do a series of jumps (alternating for sitting to standing). New students are encouraged to pedal at their own pace.
Circuit Training is one of the best all around workouts because participants don’t do the same moves over and over again. Instead, a number of stations are set up, some cardio and some strength training. Some gyms set up the stations where you have to do them in pair. In other classes, students work out at each station individually. Students spend a minute or two at each station before moving to the next. The purpose of these classes is to keep the heart rate up while performing cardio and strength training moves. These classes are great because they are total body workouts and regular attendees see fast results.
BOSU Balance Training
Imagine someone taking a regular Swiss exercise ball, cutting it in half and telling you to stand on it. That’s basically what a BOSU ball is. This ball is used in fitness classes for aerobics as well as strength training, flexibility and balance training. At first, using this ball can be intimidating, especially if you are clumsy. Exercisers have to employ serious concentration in order to complete this class, especially in cardio and balance training. Unlike a Swiss exercise ball, the BOSU won’t roll around. When the ball is turned upside down, it can be used to do pushups. It may take a little time, but a BOSU workout can improve a person’s strength and flexibility.
Functional Fitness
While most people go to the gym to take classes that strengthen the heart and muscles, others just want to be able to do complete everyday tasks. That’s the purpose of functional fitness classes. These classes are perfect introductions for people who are new to the gym because participants see improvement when they do what they usually do during the day. Functional fitness classes work the abs, lower back and hips. Exercisers perform a lot of stretching, twisting and bending moves to mimic the movements they make throughout the day. Taking these classes helps individuals learn the proper way to bend when picking up something off the ground or reaching for something in a high cabinet in order to prevent injury. Once a person sees improvement, they may decide to venture into other classes.
Body Pump
Body Pump is an intense version of circuit training. Participants use barbells of various pounds and different sets of hand weights. Many of the exercises are done on an exercise step, such as lunges and side squats. Beginners can start by using light weights and lower steps. These classes are designed to help individuals shape up fast and gain muscle. Instructors teaching this class are supposed to be specially certified in Body Pump. A good instructor will walk around the room to make sure beginners don’t need any help. The classes can go from 45 minutes to an hour. You are guaranteed to be a little sore after completing this workout, but the result usually outweigh any temporary pain.
These are just a few of the class names that may intimidate a person working out at the gym for the first time. By learning the language of fitness classes, though, some of the apprehension is lessened by knowing what to expect. Of course, these are not all of the names of exercise classes. Like learning anything new, it’s okay to ask someone at the gym what is entailed in particular group classes.
