Better Workouts 4: Classes
- More efficient training
- The best 5 classes to get fit quicker
Gym workouts can be boring and that’s when it becomes completely counterproductive. On the other hand, knowing what to do and how to tinker with your routine will get you great results.
In this edition: Classes
Having taught hundreds of classes in my years as a fitness coach, I still believe that these are an under-utilised tool when it comes to improving your fitness.
Furthermore, this time of year they are ever popular but that soon fades. One of my biggest frustrations as an instructor was seeing class numbers dwindle yet people were getting results – I could never understand that. On one hand it does require lots of commitment but surely that’s worth it?
My top five classes in terms of quickness and effectiveness of results are below:
Spinning:
Cycling is brilliant for a multitude of reasons; it improves your cardiovascular endurance (lung capacity), tones the legs and provides a fun way of sweating without sacrificing too much lean muscle.
Top tip: find an instructor that you enjoy training with. Spin is a very personalised workout in terms of music and the coordination of moves unlike many other choreographed classes.
Pump;
You’ll probably be familiar with the most common form of this as a commercialised class but there are other alternatives at gyms too.
Basically this revolves around lifting weights to music (and don’t start me on the weights will make you bulky myth).
Top tip: always start lighter than you think necessary. You will soon discover that three to four minutes is a very long time for weight lifting. Be realistic and get the movements right, there will always be more sessions in which you can ramp up the weight.
Circuits:
Perhaps one of the more daunting and it is worth building up your fitness levels first.
Get a few classes under your belt first then enjoy the workout. There will be all kinds of bodyweight, barbell, kettlebell exercises and many more. A good instructor will fully demonstrate these first and give difficulty options before the class begins (so spy on the class when in the gym to find the right instructor for your level).
Top tip: buddy up with a friend to share the experience together. This is particularly useful if you are of a similar fitness level.
Pilates / Yoga:
You would be surprised at how these can help your fitness goals (whether it’s weight loss or gaining strength). Learning to breathe properly and having stability through your core cannot be underestimated.
There are a wide variety of these classes available so do some research and find out which ones are most suited to your needs!
This also goes for bodybuilders who rarely stretch enough and doing so would dramatically improve their lifts.
Top tip: do your homework. Most Pilates and yoga workouts can be done at home (especially once you have acquired the knowledge). Home DVD’s are something that I rarely advise but in this case, they can significantly improve your performance in the class.
Gym induction:
Not a class per se but getting a gym induction is one of the best things that you can do. These are mostly fee and will give you a great deal of guidance for working out alone.
Getting the knowledge of a fitness coach for free cannot be knocked and these are definitely underused so there should be plenty availability at your local gym.
Top tip; take a pen and paper to make notes as you may forget some of these. Alternatively sign up to the RYPT app and have videos of each exercises in your pocket.
Notice that there are no “abs blast” or core workouts. This is because “spot reduction” or targeting an area for weight loss, does not exist. You would be better spending the time doing all over bodyweight exercises, trust me!
Let me know what you think and if you need guidance or have a question either drop me an email or leave a comment.
If you want more guidance / support on your workouts or training plan then get in contact with me for your trial of the RYPT app where you’ll be fully taken through a comprehensive beginner to intermediate training plan whereby you’ll be able comfortable training alone at the end of it.
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Ross Yeoman
RYPT Owner
