How to Modify in a Group Fitness Class + Winner!

I was doing my Blend 2014 fitness recap and thought it might not be a bad idea to discuss this in a separate post. 

If you’re like me, you like trying out new things. This often means that when you set foot into a group fitness class, it’s your first time.

I’ve written about the dynamic of a group fitness class and the pressure that comes along with it, but I’ve never before listed out concrete ways to help fix that for yourself. I think it is challenging when you go to a new class to know how much weight and reps you should do so that you aren’t too sore the next couple or even few days.

There is also the temptation of getting back into a fitness routine and hitting it as hard as you can–don’t do this! Ease back into it otherwise you may be too sore to workout again or you risk injuring yourself. You don’t want to get into the cycle of injury, taking a week or two off then jumping back into it with so much vigor (since you took a lot of time off) that you injure yourself AGAIN. Even if you don’t injure yourself, the same thing can happen with working out too hard and being too sore to function for the next week.

I really would stress that you take it easy in any new fitness class even if you are working out regularly. You never know what kinds of things the instructor will throw at you.

The first class should be thought of as an orientation of sorts–you don’t really work hard at an orientation, you are learning what x is all about!

This fits in with my fitness philosophy that fitness should be enjoyable so that you will want to keep it up! 

Here are some ways I modify in a new group fitness class:

 1. Lower reps from the beginning. You never know how many sets you are doing or what else will be thrown at you later on in the class.

2. Take regular rest breaks. If you’re thirsty, take a swig of water. If your muscles are burning, shake them out. You can jump back in when you’re ready.

3. Modify. 

Push-ups: from the knees

Burpees: slow it down and/or no jumping up

Jumping or plyo: march in place or just step side-to-side

4. If your lower back gets sore, be sure to stretch it out and/or take a break. Believe me–back injuries stay with you for.e.ver.

 

Other tips to succeed in a new group fitness class:

1. Focus on form over number of reps or amount of weight. This is your orientation. Your goal should be to learn how to do these exercises properly.

2. Try to ignore other people. This is so. hard. Believe me, I know! We tend to think that others are looking at us more than they really are. You know who most people are concerned with? Themselves. Yes, you might want to check out what they are doing to see if you are doing it right and yes, you can smile and chat with others in your class BUT try your hardest not to let them unknowingly pressure you into pushing yourself too hard.

3. Listen to your body. I cannot stress this enough. Each class and workout is for YOU, so do what is best for your body! 

4. You can always return to the class the following week and hit it hard if you think you can handle it!

 

Remember, think of the first class as an orientation.

Don’t kill yourself. It’s hard to continue a fitness routine if you are dead. 😉

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I’m participating in a fun challenge with Heather from Fit Aspire (formerly Better with Veggies) and Laura from Sprint 2 the Table called Move Happy.

I participated in the last session a few months back because I love the philosophy of moving in ways that are fun and feel good! Not everyone loves running and some people can’t stand yoga…it’s okay. If you want to start a fitness routine, it is so much easier to stick with it if you enjoy what you are doing! The first week’s Move Happy post is here.

 

I will be linking this post up to this month’s Did You Know, a link-up all about nutrition, fitness and health topics! Be sure to check it out!

 

PS Congrats to Vangie for winning my Apera Bags giveaway! I will e-mail you shortly! 
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Another giveaway is coming up so be excited!
   

Tell me….

What is your favorite group fitness class?

How do you modify new workouts?   

 

Linking up to:

Did You Know a monthly nutrition/fitness/health-related link-up

Fitness Friday with Jill at Fitness, Health and Happiness

 

PS I’m all about Pinterest this year, so I would LOVE IT if you could pin one (or two!) of these images. Use the handy dandy buttons at the bottom and top of each post to display the whole list of pins. If there is a link below the image, make sure to use that link to pin. Also follow me so I can check out YOUR Pinterest account! 🙂Follow SemiHealthNut

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