The Best Group Exercises You Need To Try This Summer

As you guys know, last year I embarked on my own fledgling fitness journey. Starting my personal training sessions almost a year ago now, I feel that if it wasn’t for my trainer there would be no way I would feel motivated enough to work out… And group fitness activities or classes seem to work in the same way from what I’ve found. Group fitness can be a fantastic way to vary your workouts, gain muscle mass or facilitate weight loss. If you’re new to fitness and getting in shape, choosing a new fitness call can be tricky and you may not know where to start.

Which workouts are the best for complete exercise newbies? What classes should you get involved in if you’re looking to reach your optimum levels of body and fitness goals? Here are a few easy tips for choosing the best class for you – but remember, I’m not fitness coach or expert, this is simply what I’ve learnt so far.

Look For A Workout That Suits Your Needs

You may live for intense and fast-paced cardio based workouts or feel more at home with a low-impact workout such as yoga or Pilates. Most good gyms will have plenty of options for you to choose from.  And several group fitness classes are even great for people who may be recovering from injuries or those not used to the gym environment.

Pick A Class That Suits Your Schedule

Most of us fit the gym around our busy lifestyles. With many gyms open longer hours than ever and some even being open 24 hours a day, it’s easy to find a way to get in some exercise than ever before. From super high intensity 45 minute classes to more relaxing 2 hour  mind/body sessions there’s guaranteed to be something for you.

Pick  A Workout Class You Can Stick To

Getting fit is done most easily when it’s something that you find you enjoy, do often and are able to commit to for some time. We know that getting some form of regular exercise is the best way to see improvements, build a structure and develop social relationships with other gym goers. Sticking to a workout routine can be tricky, so consider getting a gym buddy to keep each other accountable.

Popular Group Fitness Workouts You Can Start Today

Now that you know how to pick the best class that could be right for you, take a look at a list of popular, well-rounded group classes that could be both effective and fun for your lifestyle goals.

Barre

This popular ballet dance-inspired workout isn’t just one for the girls. It’s a head-to-toe definition and toning workout that focuses on core and stability. Structured around the ballet bar, mat and floor work, these challenging exercises are guaranteed to keep you on your toes.

Yoga & Pilates

Based on ancient health principles from India, yoga is a form of exercise based on deep breathing, stretches and meditation. Beginners can look for classes such as Vinyasa Flow, where the moves are slower and less intensive. Usually aimed at beginners, in these classes, you’ll learn more about the basics of yoga and how to focus on your moves.  If you’re looking for something to help you get stronger and looking to learn more advanced poses, you can look into a Power Yoga class.

Pilates is another great group class if you’d like to become strong and bendy. Many who practise Pilates claim that its a great way to achieve maximum results with relatively low impact. Many studios even offer Yogalates, which is a great way to get the dynamic moves of Pilates with the relaxation of yoga.

Crossfit

Famous across many countries, CrossFit is a high-intensity exercise program that focuses on completing a variety of strength and aerobic exercises. Known for its friendly and competitive atmosphere, performance is tracked regularly and they encourage competition between participants. It can be a baptism of fire for many people and if you’re new to Crossfit, it might be worthwhile checking out a few videos online.

Sculpting

If you’re looking to tone, sculpt and get lean then a sculpting group fitness class could be for you. Usually based around light, repetitive weightlifting and body weight exercises these classes are great for beginners and pros alike. You’ll also get a chance to do some cardio during the class too, so it really is a great all-rounder class.

Spinning

Love bike riding? Sign up for a spinning class. These bike classes are available year round and can take you from beginner to very advanced. With a mixture of heart-pumping and energetic music and a variety of moves, it can be a class that is both fun and rewarding.  ]

Zumba

Love to dance and have the moves? Then a Zumba class might be right up your street! Based around stylised Latin dance, it is a fantastic way to burn upwards of 800 calories a class and have fun while doing it.

Aqua/Water Fitness

For all the water lovers out there, aqua aerobics as a group can be fun and challenging. It’s a great way to exercise while protecting your joints from too much impact. Exercising in water also allows you to work harder while being less prone to an injury. Frequent water aerobics lessons can strengthen your core, increase your stability and of course improve heart health.

Bootcamps

Need a big boost of motivation to get in a workout? Bootcamps and HIIT (high-intensity training) can be a great choice for those who want to challenge themselves and push their fitness boundaries.

BodyPump and BodyCombat

These weights and barbell based workouts are for anyone looking to get fit in a flash. They are based on using moderate weights with lots of reps, to make sure that all muscle groups are targeted. The classes are designed to make you feel challenged, motivated and inspired to return. With combat style classes, they are focused around martial-arts inspired classes, that are challenging and completely non-contact.

In conclusion, choosing the best group fitness workout is about finding out how to feel great and body confident, what’s the best exercise for your body, your fitness goals and your schedule. Once you’ve found something that you enjoy, it will be easier to stick with it and your commitment level is bound to increase.