Group workout exercises are a great way to stay motivated. What better way to burn calories and get toned than by working out in a room filled with great tunes and supportive, like-minded folks?
Not only that, but as BodyBuilding.com notes, “with your instructor’s guidance, and by watching their moves closely, you can often get a safer, more effective workout than you would on your own.”
Of course, it’s important to choose the best group workout for your specific fitness goals. Here are some guidelines.
Core: Obviously, any class featuring the word “core” in its name will give your midsection a proper workout. So will Pilates and yoga. Pilates strengthens, lengthens, and tones all core and stabilization areas while increasing flexibility, range of motion, and perfecting posture. Yoga, which has been around for over 5000 years, works your whole body, but with special focus on your physical core as well as your spiritual core. Win-win.
In our Group Core class at Workout World, you’ll train like an athlete in 30 action-packed minutes. Remember, a strong core from your shoulders to your hips will improve your athletic performance, help prevent back pain, and give you ripped abs!
Other group workout exercises that can help your core: martials arts (Karate, Tae Kwan Do), swimming, and kayaking. (OK, you might not consider the last two to be “group” exercises, but swim clubs and kayak clubs do exist.)
Legs: Often called exercise classes in disguise, Zumba is a great option for working your legs while having a lot of fun. In Workout World’s Zumba class, we take the “work” out of workout by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. The benefits include a total workout, combining all elements of fitness – cardio, muscle conditioning (especially for your legs!), balance and flexibility, boosted energy, and a serious dose of awesome each time you leave class.
Other great group workout exercises for legs: spin classes (learn more about our Group Ride program), barre classes, walking clubs, hiking clubs, and rock climbing clubs.
Arms. All of the exercises we mentioned above will work your arms to some extent (and some more than others), but here are some group exercises that definitely will give your arms a major workout: boxing, volleyball, tennis, rowing, and tug of war (here’s the website for the U.S. Tug of War Association).
Learn more about our Group Flight class, which borrows movements from boxing, kickboxing, and various martial art disciplines. We program these movements to dynamic music, creating a simple, fun, and effective method to workout in groups.
Balancing out cardio. If you’re already doing heart-pumping workouts (either on your own or in groups), it’s always a good idea to do some other workout that balances out the cardio. Yoga and Pilates are good choices.
Losing weight. Yes, toning, building muscles, and having fun are all part of group workouts, but let’s be honest: many of us are hoping to lose some pounds, right? When it comes to group workouts for losing weight, think aerobics. As Jillian Michaels notes, “Aerobic classes are most effective when trying to lose weight. These classes offer the highest calorie burn per session. Group indoor cycling and kickboxing are at the top of the list, burning over 700 calories per hour.”
If you’re not sure which group workout exercise will meet your fitness goals, ask us! We have many group workouts to choose from, and plenty of supportive personal trainers who can give you advice on which classes will meet your short-term and long-term goals. Stop by Workout World today and get started!
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