Joining an exercise class can seem intimidating. Especially when you don’t feel your best self.
You might not think you will be able to keep up. Or maybe you will be embarrassed. We know that doing it on your own may seem like an easier, less complicated way.
How many times have you bought some weights, or joined a gym to be stuck in the same place a few weeks later?
To not go to the gym for weeks at a time… To not see results… To maybe even not know where to truly begin.
The Pandemic has forced people to take up to working out on an app, on Zoom or at their gym’s outdoor setup.
But now that gyms are reopening their indoor training rooms, one might be wondering if they should take their workouts outside for good.
Here are at least 6 reasons why you should try that outdoor class (and probably a few more…)
Reason #1 It’s More Fun Than Doing it Alone
Do you know what the biggest obstacle to working out is? It is boring! It is why gyms place TVs on every one of their cardio machines.
Exercising doesn’t have to be boring to be effective!
Think of when you were a kid and ran, and played for the fun of it… What if every workout could be a party with your friends? What if you played games and laughed while working out?
While not every workout is structured into a game, having a supportive community alongside of you, real people who want to be your friend leading and guiding you, can make the difference between an obligation and something you actually want to do.
Our members are just like you. At the end of the day, they don’t always look forward to the workout. But they look forward to showing up to class and seeing people who have their back and share the same values : health and community.
Reason #2 You Know You Need Accountability
You know friends are always good for one thing: accountability.
Your running shoes and weights are not going to miss you, text you, or ask how you are doing.
Your class instructors and fellow members will.
We want to hear about your vacations, struggles, and be there for you when you need an extra push. A coach is meant to be helping you through the hard parts of working out and a big part of that is showing up.
When you get to know the fellow people in your class you will feel an “obligation” to show up for them because they show up for you. A group class is a community.
Reason #3 Build Healthy Relationships That Inspire You
As humans, we are wired to adapt and conform to our closest social groups (our partner, families, friends, coworkers, etc.).
When you start spending time and building new relationships with positive people in your community who have a love for fitness in common, you will find yourself changing… for the better!
These healthy relationships have an impact on every other aspect of your life. As they say you are who you hang out with!
So hang out with some of the best!
Reason #4 Save Yourself the Hassle
Does this sound familiar to you:
You go to the gym without a plan but to “workout for an hour” maybe your favorite machines are taken and you aren’t sure how to use the others, so you spend most of your time wandering aimlessly.
OR you have a set workout you do every time cardio machine for 30 minute and 3-6 different weight sets targeting multiple or one specific muscle group.
You are consistent but not seeing any results…
Walking into a gym without a structured routine is going to be a lot more difficult, there are tons of machines and different exercises and without a target plan a lot of the work you do will be like throwing darts in the dark… believe us, we know the feeling.
Training correctly takes constant adjustments, periodization and progression.
Ultimately it is a lot of work to design the more efficient use of your exercise hour.
At the minimum, a yoga instructor has gone through 200 hours to be teaching. Personal trainers take 3-6 months to complete their training and take at least 20 hours of continuing education a year. Even as fitness instructors we spend at least 2 hours EVERY week preparing for classes.
You don’t have to be an expert or professional to workout, but it takes time and research OR you can go to someone that has spent that time planning classes that will consistently challenge you …
Reason #5 Stress Less, Enjoy More
By producing endorphins and reducing your body’s stress hormones, working out is a great way to reduce stress.
How do you not reap these benefits?
By stressing out about the type of workout you should do, wondering if you are working out hard enough, injuries from overtraining or training incorrectly etc.
“But how do group classes reduce your stress?”, you may ask.
Group Classes:
- Reduce stress hormones and increase feel good hormones
- Increases your production of Vitamin D
- Reduces to zero the hassle of planning what you should be doing
- Foster a sense of community
Let working out be the stress relief it was meant to be!
Reason #6 Get Better Results
The best way to get results?
Show up. Show Up. Show Up.
Showing up consistently and putting the work in on days you feel awesome AND days you feel terrible will get you farther than only working out at home when you feel motivated.
A class can motivate you and a coach can tell you what to do but ultimately it comes down to you putting in the sweat.
You are not going to get there by relying on the days when you actually feel good about yourself.
Self confidence and motivation stems from doing things that are difficult and surpassing our best excuses.
Having reachable and realistic goals is a great motivator to working out.
Whether specific or for an overall feeling there is a reason why you are sweating and sore.
Your class instructor or coach not only wants to hear your goals but truly wants to help you achieve them.
We are not coaches because we love to see people sweat or we sadistically enjoy watching people do burpees (trust us, they’re equally boring to do as they are to watch).
We want to help people find success and happiness in their goals and their lives.
We know what it is like to want to make a change in my life, to not like our bodies, to have an injury and trying to make ourselves stronger, and to have a bucket list of what felt like unachievable accomplishments.
Working out is not easy, and even coaches have had a multitude of help and support along the way too!
It is a strength and not a weakness to ask for help.
That help can come in the form of a coach designing your workouts for you and working 1×1 with your goals, or from a community that encourages you to stay accountable, healthy and have fun in the process!
Find it ALL in a group class!! What are you waiting for? Follow the link to schedule your class today 🙂
Schedule An Outdoor Fitness Class
