When I head into the gym, I usually talk to a total of: 1 people. I interact with the girl at the front counter when she checks me in, and then the headphones go on. People usually bring the suggestion of a workout partner to help keep you accountable. Assuming you and a friend have the same schedule, workout goals, gym membership and the stars have aligned, this is perfect. For myself, my schedule is just as busy all of my friends’, so any hope for consistently meeting is impossible. Knowing you need to be at the gym at a certain time can keep you accountable, though. But without friends willing to quit their jobs to help, this puts you in a bind. Gym classes can help provide a similar accountability and community.
Perhaps you’re a bit more adventurous than me and this is something you’ve already explored and mastered. Kudos to you! My first thought was how silly I would look trying Zumba, the one people always tried to talk me into. I would gander in through the window and see the sweet old lady in the back; God bless her, she looked so… humorous. She was always five steps behind, with poor form and even worse rhythm. This would be me, for sure. I know what my body is capable of. Keeping a beat is not one of them. I spent hours looking up all the other classes offered at my gym. More specifically, I watched the videos, all including the more impressive class members.
I’ve since learned that I’m not nearly as bad as I thought I would be. And if that is true of me, it certainly would be of you. No, I still haven’t tried Zumba. But, even the full body workout classes were actually enjoyable. Everyone who tries to talk people into classes usually has a class they favor. Mine is spin class. The music makes it easy to keep a beat, I am dripping with sweat (my goal for any gym visit), and I almost always feel better afterward.
My Warnings
- Don’t invest in pricey equipment before your first class. Many of them have extra items that you could easily invest in, but don’t jump the gun. Make sure it’s a class you like, first. In the case of spin class, I’ve realized that I do perfectly fine without the spin shoes (they attach to the pedals), or the bike seat cover.
- Check online for suggested attire. You can always spot a newbie when they come in with booty shorts (sure to give you a good chafing) or sweatpants (you don’t need anything to help you sweat even more).
- Don’t judge the class by the instructor. While the majority of the instructors are amazing, some are…. less thrilling. There is one that makes me leave feeling stressed and irritable…. she does the exact same circuit over and over, calling it a new name each round. She also has horrible form, which the whole class mimics (if you wake up the day after spin class and your back and neck are hurt, you may have been in her class). But I love the class when any other instructor teaches. If she had been the first instructor I had, I don’t think I would have come back.
- Pick classes for convenience. At first, there were several classes I wanted to try, but working my schedule around them became more stressful than anything. I found that picking a class that didn’t require any changes to my schedule were the most likely to actually be attended.
Gym Class + Community & Accountability
There is something in knowing you have to be at the gym at a set time that can keep you on track. I take less time to get ready on the mornings I know I have class. There are also many of the same people every week. While I’m not exactly exchanging numbers or grabbing coffee with them, there is a certain sense of community in seeing the same people. You will feel accomplished after class, but in community. You will feel proud for the sweat you’ve earned, but in community. And it only takes a few weeks of going consistently when you check on someone for missing. Gym classes might not be for everyone, but give it a try and let me know what your favorite is!
