Fitness classes offer far more than a thorough workout. Entering a sparkling clean, bright workout studio is a portal into positivity, motivation, and community. If you’ve ever wished for a way to socialize, exercise, and have some fun all at the same time, you’re in the right place.
If you’re struggling to find the right types of workout classes for you, or you’re nervous to hop into a HIIT class without knowing what to expect, we’re here to reassure you: there’s something for everyone on the fitness class schedule. You just need to know what to look for.
Consider us your personal trainers in fitness class wayfinding. Here’s your foolproof guide to finding a fitness class (or two, or three) that you won’t be able to get enough of.
Why Choose Fitness Classes?
We’ve come a long way from the Jane Fonda era of fitness classes, where every week, countless Americans pulled up their leg warmers and Got Physical in front of their 80s TV screens. One thing’s still for certain: fitness classes create community, accountability, and fun.
Fitness classes are popular across a broad range of experience levels, from athletes training and looking for a challenge, to novices shopping for a routine they can stick to. With an approachable, enthusiastic instructor, fitness classes can add variety to your routine, build a community of like-minded people, and help you break a sweat without even realizing it. And don’t worry: you’ll find fitness classes for every fitness and ability level, so you can feel comfortable and confident wherever you’re starting.
Below, we’ll break down the four basic types of fitness classes to give you the rundown on what you can expect and what some sample exercises and routines might look like, so you can pick a workout class that best fits your mood and your goals.
Let’s jump into it.
Strength and Resistance Training Classes
These classes focus on building muscular strength and endurance through exercises that utilize resistance, such as bodyweight movements, free weights, and resistance bands, (or sometimes weight machines) to work out the major muscle groups. Over time, you’ll improve your overall physical fitness by enhancing power and stability throughout the body.
The potential benefits of strength and resistance training are countless, but some include:
- Increased muscle mass, which can help maintain muscle strength and function and improve general physical function
- Stronger bones that can help reduce the risk of bone fractures
- Joint flexibility, which can reduce symptoms of stiffness and arthritis
- Blood sugar support
- Improved sleep
- Improved balance to help reduce the risk of injury
- Reduction in fatigue or feelings of anxiousness
Strength and resistance classes are friendly for newcomers and more experienced athletes alike because the goal is to build resistance and strength over time. Students can choose lighter weights with more reps and shorter sets or heavier weights with fewer reps and longer sets — depending on their experience level and fitness goals.
If you’re excited to try out a strength or resistance class, look for classes like BodyPump, Strength and Conditioning, Killer Core, and TRX on the schedule. You can expect exercises like deadlifts, squats, rows, and planks in an energetic 45–60 minute class—and a satisfying workout from head to toe.
Cardio and HIIT Classes
In these classes, the goal is to get your heart rate up. These are aerobic, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes where you’ll work up a sweat fast, working at an intense level and then backing off for a slower recovery period, followed by another round of high intensity. That means that you don’t have to work out as long as you would if you were keeping a steady pace throughout.
The potential benefits are aplenty, some of which include:
- Metabolism boost
- Muscle building (especially in HIIT classes)
- Calorie burning for a period of time after your exercise class
- Brain health support
- Heart health support
These classes are popular because they feature an important component: not taking yourself too seriously and letting loose. They’re light, fast, fun, and challenging. The Cardio and HIIT classes are famous for their energetic pop playlists, making these workouts perfect to jump into with a friend.
Ready to power up your fitness in a cardio or HIIT class? Look for indoor cycling, dance, boxing, or interval training varieties, and get ready for exercises like high knees, burpees, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, and plenty of freestyle breaks.
Mind-Body and Recovery Classes
For a gentler recovery after an intense workout week or simply to unwind, consider trying out one of the mind-body and recovery classes in your gym. These classes combine body movement, mental focus, and controlled breathing to improve strength, balance, flexibility, and overall health. Their aim is to make you feel refreshed. They’re challenging and engaging while remaining positive and relaxing.
The benefits of these classes?
- Increased flexibility and mobility
- Stress reduction and mental clarity
- Improved posture
- Stronger core muscles
- Improved sleep
- Improved body awareness
- Strengthened ability to relax
By connecting our minds and bodies, we unlock opportunities to enhance our physical and mental well-being through the process of integration. Exercises in these classes combine mental focus and some form of body involvement, such as movements or breathing (or both!). Whether you’re on a rigorous 6-day workout schedule or just dabbling, mind-body and recovery classes offer something for everyone.
Some of the most common mind-body and recovery classes are yoga, pilates, and barre—or a combination. You’ll breathe through yoga poses like Warrior I and II, planks, spinal stretches, and more, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated as soon as the mats get put away.
Functional and Athletic Training Classes
Functional fitness classes focus on strength training that helps your body perform daily activities. These exercises prepare you for real-life, day-to-day actions like bending, twisting, lifting, loading, pushing, pulling, squatting, and hauling.
Think about the small, seemingly simple movements you task your body with throughout the day: getting into your car, grocery shopping, doing laundry, carrying your little one from one room to the other. These classes focus on exercises to make those small movements possible for years to come, which is the biggest benefit of them all!
Some other potential benefits include:
- Makes physically demanding daily activities easier
- Increases range of motion
- Eases joint, back, and muscle pain
- Enhances balance
- Improves coordination
- Increases endurance
- Keeps older adults independent longer
Most functional fitness contains multi-joint movement patterns that involve your knees, hips, spine, elbows, wrists, and shoulders, which all build strength and improve your range of motion. It may sound simple, but ensuring your body is equipped to handle these movements is a key part of preventing injury and maintaining your health and quality of life as you age— and it’s never too early to start.
You’ll find a range of different functional and athletic training classes, which might include bootcamps, agility training, or circuit workouts. Read the description of the class to see if it aligns with your unique goals. And if you’re dealing with any injuries or mobility restraints, let your instructor know before the class begins so they can modify the exercises to fit your needs.
Tips for Beginners
If you’re new to the world of fitness classes, not to worry: Fitness classes are designed to be inclusive, welcoming, and accommodating. You’re in a safe place—and more likely than not, you’ll be in good company with other newcomers, too.
Not sure what class to try first? Our advice: Start with a beginner-friendly session or two to build your confidence.
In your first few classes, listen to your body and go at your own pace, even if that’s a different pace than the instructor or your neighbor. Remember that everyone is a beginner at some point! Learning new movements takes practice. Focus on getting the form down and focus less on speed, and signal to your instructor if you need help. You’ve got this.
If you’re feeling like you might need more motivation, ask a friend or co-worker to come along with you. This can help create an extra layer of accountability, give you a greater sense of confidence once you do get into the room, and give you plenty to chat about once you’re done with class!
Once you feel a little more comfortable and confident, switch it up! A well-rounded fitness routine includes mixing classes up to keep your body learning new techniques (and exercising different muscle groups). Experiment with what works best for your fitness goals, schedule, and workout style.
If early mornings aren’t your thing or your schedule doesn’t allow it, evening fitness classes can still fit your routine. Opt for something calming like yoga or stretching to help you wind down before bed. If you’re an early riser who loves a head start, morning workouts like cardio or HIIT can give you a strong, energized start to your day.
As the saying goes: Never try, never know!
Find Your Fitness Class Community at Chuze
Fitness classes are a fun and effective way to stay active. At Chuze Fitness, our goal is to make workouts a fun, accessible, and affordable experience. Our classes are geared toward health enthusiasts at every level of experience, so there’s an opportunity to jump in anywhere on your fitness journey.
From blood-pumping body combat to relaxing yoga, we offer a class for every goal and mood. Our certified certified Fitness Professionals support you every step of the way, and our welcoming community of like-minded people is here to lift you up until the last burpee.
So what are you waiting for? Find a class and start your 7-day trial pass today.
Sources:
CNN. Remember when Jane Fonda revolutionized exercise in a leotard and leg warmers?
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/jane-fonda-workout-remember-when/index.html
Penn State College of Medicine. Introduction to Strength Training. https://research.med.psu.edu/oncology-nutrition-exercise/patient-guides/strength-training/
WebMD. HIIT. https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/high-intensity-interval-training-hiit
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