| No matter what kind of exercise facility you walk | | | | and not do a thing? |
| into, you're going to be inundated with dozens, if not | | | | If you are a "special case" and are healthy enough to |
| hundreds, of different fitness classes. Whether it's a | | | | exercise on your own but need specific help, then |
| commercial fitness club, a community center or even | | | | don't ignore the class offerings are your gym or |
| your workplace's own fitness center, you'll have the | | | | fitness center. Most facilities are embracing the |
| chance to try your hand at everything from strength | | | | special exerciser and are offering specific classes for |
| and sculpting class to yoga, pilates, this or that kind | | | | the active older adult, for pre- and post-natal women |
| of aerobics dance class and even specialized martial | | | | and for specific medical issues. |
| arts classes. | | | | One caveat, most facilities will ask for a form signed |
| So how do you choose? How do you decide if you | | | | by your doctor to make sure that you are indeed |
| need high-impact or low-impact? Aerobics versus | | | | healthy enough to participate. It is for your |
| strength? Endurance classes or intervals? Do you go | | | | protection as well as for theirs. |
| for something that is more mind-body oriented or | | | | Make sure to ask questions from both your doctor |
| something that will help you just forget your entire | | | | as well as the fitness facility if you need to. Choose a |
| day? | | | | class based on what you need and on what you can |
| Here are some things to take into consideration | | | | do. |
| when choosing fitness classes that are right for you. | | | | 4. What kind of setting are you looking for? What |
| 1. What is your current fitness level? Are you a | | | | kind of mood or environment? |
| beginner, intermediate, advanced or are you even | | | | Do you work better in a loud, club music pumping |
| training for a specific athletic event? | | | | environment or is quiet and zen more up your alley? |
| Why does this matter? | | | | By knowing what kind of stimulation you'll respond |
| This is crucial to think about when you are just | | | | the best to, you'll be able to choose classes that fit |
| starting a fitness routine. Some classes cater to the | | | | your needs. |
| beginner or infrequent exerciser. If you fall into that | | | | Your most popular aerobics classes will pump out the |
| category, then try those first. The worst thing that | | | | music and along with it, dozens and dozens of |
| can happen is that you either need to do less or | | | | sweaty bodies. Some are out in the open and well-lit, |
| modify the movements. Most instructors will | | | | like a high impact step or dance aerobics class. While |
| recognize this and help you accordingly. | | | | others are darker and a little more intense, like a |
| The best thing that can happen is that you find a | | | | cycling or spinning class. |
| class that moves at your pace and skill level or that | | | | On the other end of the spectrum are your quieter |
| you'll need to move onto a harder and more intensive | | | | classes with little or no music. These classes tend to |
| class. | | | | be just as intense although that is accomplished |
| Most facilities will have beginner friendly classes listed | | | | through a totally different environment. |
| on their schedules. If it's not easy to decipher, ask a | | | | 5. What do you need from your instructor? What |
| membership representative or one of the instructors | | | | kind of personality? What kind of interaction? |
| for help. | | | | Fitness instructors vary just as much as classes do |
| Likewise, most facilities will offer advanced classes. | | | | and sometimes those same instructors are as |
| These classes will most often list or encourage a | | | | different as night and day between classes that they |
| specific level of practice or experience. This will | | | | teach. |
| depend on the type and the speed of the class and | | | | Do you need a drill sergeant yelling and screaming at |
| just as you would with beginner classes, you can ask | | | | you, pushing your past any boundaries? Do you need |
| a membership representative or the instructors for | | | | a kinder, gentler approach that still gets the job |
| more information. | | | | done? Do you need someone hands on? Or someone |
| 2. What are your specific fitness goals? | | | | hands off? |
| When choosing a fitness class, it helps to know what | | | | Do you want someone who has a sense of humor |
| you're looking to accomplish. | | | | as they teach or who is strictly business? |
| Looking for more muscle tone? Try a strength or | | | | Do you need them to look a certain way? |
| sculpting class. | | | | Sometimes you'll need to try an instructor on for size. |
| Looking to get your heart rate up and break a sweat | | | | Do you like how they teach, what they teach and |
| quickly? Try any aerobics class. | | | | the results they help you achieve? |
| Looking for more flexibility? Maybe a yoga class is | | | | Or is it time to try someone else on for size? |
| what you need. | | | | 6. What is your attention span like? Do you need |
| Looking for more core strength but without the | | | | constant variety or do you like the known and |
| mind-body stuff of yoga? Maybe pilates is more your | | | | predictable? |
| speed or a more specific abdominal or core building | | | | You will find out as you take classes that some will |
| class. | | | | be the same thing, over and over again. You may |
| The beauty of a gym environment is that classes are | | | | enjoy the predictable nature of those classes or you |
| offered for specific purposes, such as strength, yoga | | | | will be bored to tears. |
| or core work. What is even better about that same | | | | You may also find out that in one class that you'll |
| environment is that many classes are also catering to | | | | never do the same thing, in the same way, twice. |
| people who want more than just one thing- who | | | | Ever. |
| have several goals but not unlimited time. | | | | What works for you? What do you need? |
| Just as you would choose a class based on where | | | | As much variety as there is available, as many |
| you are now, you can also choose what you'd like to | | | | instructors are out there, as many classes or styles |
| see in the future. | | | | of exercise that there may be, you are the only one |
| 3. Do you have any injuries or special considerations | | | | who knows what is going to work and what has no |
| that need to be addressed? | | | | chance of ever happening. |
| Are you nursing torn ligaments, meniscus tears or | | | | Your best hope of finding out what your best class |
| worn cartilage? Are you coming back from a surgery | | | | or classes are? |
| and are past physical therapy but not willing to go it | | | | Experiment. Don't be afraid to try something new. |
| alone? | | | | Don't be afraid of asking questions. Talk to the |
| Are you pregnant or postpartum? Do you have back | | | | instructor, pick their brain. And if something doesn't |
| issues or are under a doctor's care with a exercise | | | | work, then just try something else. |
| prescription? | | | | You will find a class that works for you. |
| Do you have arthritis issues but refuse to sit home | | | | |