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[bs_col class=”col-sm-8″] GROUP EXERCISE

CREATE A LIFELONG FITNESS HABIT

For many people, finding time to be physically active can be difficult, too often the stresses of daily life put working out even further down the list of priorities. Having a class that meets on the same days of the week and the same time of day, can be very helpful in making fitness a regular part of your life.

Joining a group exercise class can help you make physical activity a lifelong habit. Here are three of our favorite things about group classes:

• BE CHALLENGED AND SUCCESSFUL

While a group exercise class won’t be 100 percent targeted to any one person’s needs, a good group fitness instructor will plan classes and offer variations to ensure each participant can both complete all the exercises and remain challenged.

Each class you attend with the same instructor helps him/her to get to know your current fitness level and future goals. As time goes on, it becomes easier for the instructor to make sure that each participant gets a workout that fits his/her needs. Many classes allow each participant to choose their own level of intensity. For example, during circuit training class, it’s always valuable to note down the weight you use for specific exercises, therefore if your muscles weren’t burning by the end of the set, you know to pick up a heavier weight for next time.

• INCREASE MOTIVATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Group exercise classes can help you make it to your workout- even on those days when you would rather go home and sit on the couch. Knowing that your instructor and class peers are expecting you can give your motivation a boost when needed.

You’ll meet some really great people when going to fitness classes, people who inspire you to push though a challenging workout and who can make you laugh once the class is over. Social support is great both for motivation and general enjoyment when working out.

Additionally, working out with a group has been shown to have a positive impact on how hard you work at the gym.

• STRUCTURE AND PROPER FORM

Have you ever gone to the gym and ended up only doing the part of the workout that you enjoy? Without a plan it can be difficult to make sure to challenge all major muscle groups, and make sure each muscle you worked is stretched properly. Group exercise classes eliminate the guesswork from structuring your workout effectively. Each session will have been carefully designed to include a warm up, main workout and a cool down, and provide balanced workouts to help avoid injury.

Completing exercises with bad form increases your risk of injury. It’s also not particularly effective for working improving strength and fitness. A good instructor will help participants learn and practice proper form.

Join us for a group fitness class right on campus. Fall semester PEAK University Employee Fitness classes are open for registration. Go here for more details.[/bs_col][bs_col class=”col-sm-4″]

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