You join a gym and find an abundance of different fitness classes and trainers. How do you know what is the best choice for you? Are trainers really worth the expense?
I’m going to give a bit of clarification on some of these questions.
There are free classes at the gym, so why shouldn’t I just take those and save my money? I’m already paying for my gym membership. Well, it does depend on the class. But no matter what the class is, you’re always going to be more likely to get injured in a class than with private training. You have a competitive side and will more than likely push yourself if you see someone else lifting more than you or stretching deeper – even if it means it’s not what is best for your body. Later, you could end up hurting.
Even the very best instructors cannot see what everyone in a class is doing all the time. So, even if your form is likely to cause an injury, the instructor may not see that until it is too late or you’re on to the next exercise.
Is small group exercise better than larger exercise classes, even if it requires a little more expense? Yes! The smaller the group, the better and safer the class. The fewer people in a class, the more attention you have from the instructor. Therefore, you will be more likely to do the exercise with good form and less likely to get injured … and the better workout you will get!
Are personal trainers and private sessions with instructors worth the expense? Yes! Doing one-on-one training is the best option! You have the private attention of your instructor. Your workout will be personalized to your body’s needs and your goals. You will be doing the exercise with better form as you have your trainer supervising only you. You will be the least likely to get injured with private training. I know it is more expensive to work with a private trainer, but your health is your most important asset!
Are there exceptions? Yes. There are some exceptions, depending on what you’re going for. For example, some classes, such as Zumba, are enhanced with more people. The atmosphere is one of the motivating factors behind the exercise. It means you need to be even more aware of your body, though, so you don’t get injured. Also, talk with your instructor and modify if you start to feel any pain.
If you’re going to do exercise classes, you’re going to get the most out of your exercise if you also have a personal trainer, private Pilates sessions, etc. You will be more knowledgeable about your exercise and will typically use better form in classes. If at all possible, work with a personal trainer once a week and a Pilates instructor twice a week to get the most out of your workouts!
Photo Credit: Photo by David Paterson.