Tag: group exercise

Benefits of an Exercise Class

by crossfitmomm, posted in Fitness

There are many benefits to an exercise class, especially if you’re someone who wouldn’t exercise normally. Below is the top reasons to join an exercise class today.

TOP REASONS TO JOIN AN EXERCISE CLASS

  • Accountability. This one is huge. If you commit to a class, you are more likely to attend. If you attend a gym or a workout facility that charges you if you miss a class, this percentage jumps dramatically. This is an even better way to make sure you exercise. These are usually specialty places like HIIT gyms, kickboxing, or cycle classes where they reserve equipment for you and don’t let others in.
  • Extra push. You do work harder when there are others around you to “compete” against, even if you aren’t necessarily competing. We can thank our inner drive most of us have to beat others, which is also the reason humans are where we are technologically. The drive to be the best and be the first has resulted in major innovations over time.
  • Workout with a friend. Working out with a friend also contributes to
    Crossfit Running in a 5k race
    Running a 5k

    accountability as well. However, the primary reason to attend an exercise class with a friend is it’s fun. It makes the hour long class go by a lot faster when you can chit-chat in-between moves or during transition times.

  • Mindless. It’s nice to show up to the gym and not have to think about what to do, especially if you’ve been at work all day, thinking. Furthermore, an exercise class provides this much needed structure, so your time is maximized — important when so many of us lead very busy lives.
  • Learn about exercise. Exercise class instructors will teach you about exercise. They will show you proper form for moves, give you new moves you didn’t know existed and/or ideas to add to your own workout routine, and extra tips like nutrition and supplement advice.
  • Routine. Attending the same classes every week is an easy way to develop a routine. You are more likely to stick to exercising in a routine than just going it your own, hoping for the best.
  • Variety. We all know how mind-numbingly boring running on a treadmill can be. However, you run on a treadmill in a class setting with the instructor telling you what to do and pushing you, and this mind-numbing has suddenly turned into a butt-whipping that you crave.

There are many benefits to attending exercise classes as well as working out alone. Try both and see what works for you. What really matters is staying active and  healthy. How you stay active and healthy is up to you.

CrossFit: The Pros and Cons of Working Out by Yourself

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit

CrossFit: The Pros and Cons of Working Out by Yourself

Since I now work full time, I’ve been working out a lot by myself. There are pros and cons to this.

CrossFit Assault Bike

 

Pros to Working out Alone:

  • Can workout on my schedule
  • Don’t have to wait on others
  • Under no pressure to finish within a certain time
  • Can do my moves however I want (e.g. strict versus kipping)
  • Do my own programming
  • Substitute moves or entire workouts to accommodate injury
  • Focus on what I need to focus on
  • Play my music (Hey! It’s the little things!)

Cons to Working Out Alone:

  • No push from others to go your hardest
  • Can be boring at times
  • At times it’s harder to get the motivation to even workout
  • Workout is not quite so mindless
  • Loss of community

Feel free to add your comments and/or thoughts about working out alone!

Working Out Alone is Not for Everyone…

by crossfitmomm, posted in Fitness

Sometimes being alone is good.

You can listen to your thoughts.  Get a lot of work done without distractions.  Reconnect with yourself.

Sometimes, however, you need support and a push.

I like to work out alone.  No one judging.  I can do my own thing on my own time.

However, it can be challenging at times.

Today for example.

I had to do heavy push jerks.  I hate heavy push jerks because they are hard for me.  I never want to do them.  They suck.  And there were 20 of them.  In a row.

I did these one at a time, and they were tough.  The only thing that kept me going is my innate desire to finish and to conquer.  Otherwise, I would have quit because no part of me wanted to do them.

It’s all too easy to quit when you’re alone.  Because no one is looking.  No one is judging.  No one is there to care or to let down.

Except you.Image result for picture working out alone

And I can’t let myself down.

The key here is know yourself.  If you need support, go in a group.  If you’re a loner, go it alone.  Or mix it up like I do.

Know yourself and be honest with yourself.

In the end, that’s what makes you a better person.