Gym or group classes: what to choose?

If you decide to start going to a fitness club, then first you need to decide where to go: to the gym or to group classes. What is more effective and what is the best place for a beginner to start?

Below we will look at the pros and cons of group classes and indoor classes. This will help you understand what to choose for fitness: a gym or group training.

Pros and cons of group classes

Most fitness clubs offer classes in which a group of 15-30 people train under the guidance of a professional instructor. Workouts can be of completely different directions: aerobics, dancing, cycling, crossfit, yoga, pilates.

Pros:

Even a complete beginner can get started with group training, while the gym requires you to learn basic fitness fundamentals.
Classes are conducted under the guidance of a trainer who will monitor the correct execution of exercises to avoid microtraumas and sprains.
While training in a group, you will be in constant tone, unlike in the gym, where you can be distracted and reduce the intensity of your workouts.
You will have a choice of various ready-made fitness programs (strength, aerobic, dance, low-intensity), among which you can choose the method that you like best and is closest to you.
Even if you have the necessary sports knowledge, group classes will always help you expand the standard set of exercises, learn new movements and combinations, and learn something new for yourself.
Classes in a group provide additional motivation: looking at other girls, you strive to improve and give your best.

Minuses:

Each sports club offers a limited range of group fitness programs. And the choice of trainers is not always wide enough.
The price of group classes is usually higher than visiting a gym.
Training takes place on certain days and times, so you always need to adapt to the prepared schedule.
As a rule, in group classes there is a limit on the number of people who can be in the room at the same time. This causes additional inconvenience.

As you can see, group classes are suitable even for those who have never done fitness. However, restrictions in the choice of programs and strict schedules make visiting them not entirely convenient.

Group training: all types and directions

Fitness

First of all, let's explain what fitness is. This is any physical activity that improves health and helps you lose weight. In essence, it is aerobics, but in a broader sense. Today there are many varieties of it: strength, with step dances, Zumba, several other dance variations, and so on.

You can do fitness even at home by choosing several video lessons with simple exercises. But only a specially designed training program in a fitness club provides for high-quality burning of excess fat. The muscles in such exercises, of course, also become stronger, but they do not particularly increase in volume.

Fitness is not meant to build muscle mass at all. But it gives you the opportunity to become more resilient, increase your ability to work and get a fresh glow.

Advantages

Fitness classes, like any other type of physical activity, have their pros and cons. It is necessary to know them. At least to determine whether a load of this nature is suitable for you.

The most important advantage and difference of fitness is its versatility and ease of understanding. Even someone who is very far from sports can master a set of basic movements. But to work out in the gym, especially without a trainer, you will need not only to know well how to perform the exercises correctly, but also to be aware of some of the nuances.
If you often find it difficult to organize yourself, choose a better fitness club. During a group lesson, you will no longer be able to get distracted, be lazy or exercise carelessly - the trainer will not allow you to do this.
You can choose the technique that suits you best (strength, dance, etc.). Some clubs may offer alternating different workouts. It is recommended to try several basic fitness programs to choose the best option.

Flaws

The disadvantage of fitness classes in a specialized club is their cost (higher than in a gym), as well as a strict schedule. If you decide to study in a group, you will have to plan your week around visiting this facility at designated times and days.

Some clubs practice pre-registration, since in a small room the number of people working out at the same time is limited. This is also inconvenient.

Pros and cons of the gym

The gym is a set of strength and cardio equipment, as well as additional equipment: dumbbells, barbells, weights, mats, etc. Let's look at the pros and cons of going to the gym on your own without a personal trainer.

Pros:

The choice of fitness clubs is expanding. Firstly, there are much more ordinary “gyms” than halls with group classes. Secondly, you don't need to focus on the schedule of these workouts.
You independently regulate the load, intensity of the workout and its duration depending on your capabilities, mood and well-being.
Visiting the gym is not tied to a specific time, which means you choose what time you go to work out.
You can always reshape your fitness plan and dilute it with new exercises to diversify your workouts and prevent stagnation. In group classes, this is not up to you.
As a rule, it is in the gym that the most advanced in fitness practice, in contrast to group training, where the majority are beginners. Looking at toned bodies and other people's successes will give you additional incentive to get in shape. Yes, and learn something new.
Joining a gym is cheaper than working out in groups.

Minuses:

If you are a beginner, you will have to learn the basics of fitness and basic exercises with free weights and machines on your own. This requires not only your time, but also your desire.
When practicing independently in the gym, you will not have a trainer who could correct your exercise technique.
You will probably come across a situation more than once when the exercise machine you need is simply busy. This will be especially true for those who visit the gym in the evening after work - at this time the fitness clubs are sold out.
You yourself regulate the load and intensity of your training, so there is a high risk of not training at full strength.

As you can see, unlike group classes, the gym is more suitable for those who like to train on their own and are ready to learn the basics of fitness alone.

Self-training or classes with a personal trainer: what to choose?

Group training or gym?

I have been working as a trainer at World Class since October 2010. Throughout my entire coaching career, among many diverse and very interesting questions, one, the most important and controversial, is most often repeated: “Where is it best and most effective to train? What to choose: gym or group programs? This question is asked by many network members, both new and experienced.

For myself, I realized from the very beginning that if I took upon myself the responsibility of training a person, then his health automatically passes into my hands. After all, every phrase I say, even if it’s just a little advice, can completely change a person’s habits, and therefore their life. The most important question that a professional coach must ask his ward is what results the person expects. And only after that can something be recommended and directed.

First of all, we need muscle load not only so that the muscles are not weak, it also activates the work of all body systems, normalizes metabolism and the functioning of the hormonal system. Such a load is required not only by adults, but also by children, because movement is the basis of life. It determines the level of metabolic processes of the body and the state of its bone, muscle and cardiovascular systems. Human muscles generate energy. Their work helps maintain the tone of the central nervous system, facilitate blood flow, especially venous, and create conditions for the proper functioning of the skeleton.

So where to go for that same muscle load? Let me explain.

It makes sense to go to the gym not only for those who are looking for muscle tone, but also for everyone who wants to correct their figure. Few people have ideal body proportions by nature. Some need to work on their waist, others need to increase the volume in the hips or lower legs, and others need to make their chest more prominent. It is the simulators, specially selected, that will allow you to solve the most diverse problems that can be solved.

What is the difference between group programs?

In their versatility, they are essentially a break from the gym. This is a place where you can be on a team, feel like a sports star, dance, test your strong-willed character, and unwind emotionally and psychologically. Group training is endorphin in its purest form. They will be an excellent alternative to cardio training, you will increase coordination, plasticity and flexibility! And I can confidently say that your success will transfer to work in the gym.

What to choose: aerobic, strength, functional, dance programs, cycling or Mind Body?

What you like! The equipment and training format are different, everything takes place to specially selected music. Here you become part of a team led by a coach! He sets the pace, shows the movements and still has time to give everyone his recommendations on technique. It is very important to realize that during group training it is important to exercise control over your body and health. Still, the coach’s attention is distributed among all participants in the training. One way or another you find yourself in the sports zone, so you need to be careful and do everything as technically as possible in order to protect yourself from injury. In some group programs we go beyond the limits of the pulse, sometimes we violate the laws of biomechanics of our human capabilities, and this is a real sport! In such lessons, and this is no longer a secret, a sporting interest in winning and being a leader appeared.

Your progress becomes more noticeable when you combine your gym training with group classes. Therefore, be sure to ask yourself the question: “What do I want?” and boldly go towards your goal. We, World Class, will help you achieve these results.

Gym or group classes: which one to choose?

It's time to sum up what is better and more effective - the gym or group classes. Of course, this is an individual question, but we can draw several conclusions.

If you are a beginner, it is better for you to stick to group classes. A ready-made workout and the help of an instructor will help you quickly get involved in fitness.
If you are not ready for rigid training schedules, then it is better to choose a gym. Being late can result in an uncomfortable place at the very back of the group or missing a workout due to the gym being overcrowded.
If you like to save money, then it is also better to choose a gym. Group fitness is always more expensive, and sometimes it is also limited by the number of visits per month.
If you lack incentive to exercise, sign up for group classes. Collective motivation works flawlessly.

If you have the opportunity, alternate between the gym and group classes. This will help you diversify your workouts and increase their effectiveness.

Reviews

On the Internet, users actively share their successes in sports and weight loss. For many, an important selection criterion is public opinion, which in 78 cases out of 100 becomes the determining factor. Let's see what Internet users write about fitness and exercise equipment, which is better for losing weight.

Be sure to read: Can running help with cellulite?

Lyudmila, 34 years old, Taganrog “Good afternoon! I want to talk a little about how I managed to quickly lose 23 kilograms. Since childhood, I suffered from excess weight, and after 30 years, ears began to appear on my hips, cellulite, and sides. I went on a strict diet and severely limited myself in my favorite treats. I started playing sports. In the morning I run for 50 minutes, in the evening I ride a bike in the park. Twice a week I attend group classes at a dance studio, each time we learn new dance routines, do stretching and sometimes pumping. I advise all girls to exercise, eat right and lead an active lifestyle.”

Alexandra, 21 years old, Moscow “At the age of 20, I became a bodybuilding champion. I devoted my whole life to sports, three years ago I decided to seriously take up strength training. Every other day I do deadlifts and squats with heavy weights. I start every workout with a warm-up on the treadmill, this is an integral part of my training. The final episode is stretching. Before competitions, drying always begins so that the muscles can be shown as much as possible on stage. To be honest, I don’t recommend exercises with heavy weights to those who don’t plan to do it professionally.”

Konstantin, 28 years old, fitness instructor “Hello, girls often ask the question of where to start losing weight, what sport to choose for themselves. The primary goal is to get rid of extra pounds, this can only be achieved if you add cardio exercise to your diet. Regular fitness will help you burn calories faster and burn fat. After reaching the desired mark on the scales, you can begin exercising in the gym using exercise machines. Of course, a preliminary consultation with a trainer is a mandatory rule for any fitness center.”