To think 3 or 4 exercise classes a week is enough

If you really want to do more, can you reorganise things slightly so you can fit another one in? I was doing 3 until last year but wanted to do another one so started taking my kit to work, the only way I could get there due to the class timings. It takes a bit more planning but worth it for me!

@TheTerribleMaster what you eat is the most significant factor in weight loss. I found that I actually lost more weight when I focused on food preparation and cut down on some classes.
Three classes a week is great and achievable in the long term, rather than doing absolutely loads and injuring yourself or feeling bad if you can't keep it up .

I've been debating this. I'm really trying to lose weight, get healthier etc and I have joined my local gym. I think classes are best for me as I don't really know how to push myself in a solo workout. But with a full time job, kids etc it's not easy to fit in classes! I've managed about 3x per week since I joined and I'm wondering if that's enough to help weight loss (along with healthy eating)? Last week I went 5 times as I was WFH and went in my lunch break, but this week I'll probably only make 3.

I just want to lose weight and not feel so awful anymore!

I do 3-5 a week but over 3 trips, the two yoga classes I do I do after other classes, yoga is great for core balance and flexibility but it's not enough of a workout for me so I go after two other classes I do I don't think it's too much i see it as an extended warm down.

Memberships near me are SO expensive. I used to do two a day sometimes (a cardio then a stretch). When I see people going multiple times a day to the gym on our street I assume it's to get their money's worth!!

I think it depends what your goals are and also what else you have going on in your life. It's also a bit of a cost exercise - what if the per class cost of paying the membership to make it worthwhile for the individual? Certainly at my previous gym, there were recently retired people, particularly single people, who clearly basically lived there. They could get cheap food, have a swim, go to the gym, do a yoga class, hang out with their mates having coffee, have a sauna - I mean, why would they be at home on their own when all their mates were there?

Depends on the lenght and intensity of the classes surely? I'd do a couple a day, several times a week if I had the time.
I would try and build activity into your normal day too though, walking or cycling as pp have said.

When I go I tend to do 2 classes back to back e.g. today I will do balance and then body attack. Tomorrow will be body pump and then LBT. On Friday it will be pump then attack.

Doing three classes a week is much more than the majority do, trouble is you don't see them as they aren't at the gym ! It's a bit like me doing 5km parkrun - I'm bloody slow and often at the back, but I'm faster than all those people not doing it.

I'd focus on building non gym fitness as well - so try to build up your daily steps through functional walking if you can.

" feel like there’s an undertone as well with some people being like oh this is my third class of the day"

People saying this are braggy people. You know the type... anything you have done they have done better, for longer, etc. Take it with a pinch of salt and carry on with what works for you.

And what @spriots said about other walking/cycling

Since you’ve asked, I think your regime is a little light as one of the classes is Pilates (which is brilliant for you) but I’d add another cardio or weights session, either a class or just yourself.

But I love exercise and am also quite old, so trying to keep fit as long as possible!

If you are happy, don’t worry about what other people are doing. Just keep pushing yourself in your classes and enjoy.

It depends on your goals.

3x a week is great for keeping you broadly healthy. It's what I aim for.

It won't get you to look really toned/buff. I have given up on this 😂

It also makes a difference whether you otherwise drive everywhere - if you also walk/cycle places, it's different

3 is good as you're doing a mix. Most people I know who do more than one a day usually make sure one of them is a yoga or pilates class. Except the woman who seemed to be addicted and would do a pump / combat x 2 a day and wondered why she was always injured.
I used to do 6 a week pre-dc's. Now I'm doing 3 classes plus two outdoor 5ks a week.

Why are you disheartened?

They may be telling you about their 3rd class that day because its something they are happy with and enjoy, maybe they have exceeded themselves and are proud of their achievements, let them. It's their choice to do it and they are happy, let them be happy and talk about it.

You be happy with your choices, they work for you and trust it.

There are no rules. You do what's right for you and let them do what's right for them.
Its not a competition we will all have different needs want wants when it comes to exercise. You are allowing yourself to feel this way, your way overthinking it.

Exercise is good, but more isn't necessarily better. Some people get addicted and overdo it, just like with all sorts of things that give you a temporary high. Best to focus on your own goals.

I try and go to 3…but I do other stuff that frankly I enjoy more. I do the gym because I know the weights and flexibility aspect do me good, so if do 3 classes like that I do see a difference.

I also do a Pilates separately with a proper teacher who looks at form etc.

and I walk a lot, the part I do enjoy, outside with or without the dog. That’s my menta Health bit and the bit I never skip. If you add the hours up it’s probably 7or8 classes worth a week.

I try and do 4 a week, I don’t have time to do more.

I would say yes, but I’d also say are you actually increasing the level of effort in your class? For example I’ve been going to body pump on an offer for years and some people never ever increase their weights.

If I was a lady of leisure I would go to the gym most days and do a class. But I'm not, so I can't! Twice a week is all I can manage at the moment. You do what you can. It's all good for you!

It's not up to you to judge other people. I've just done a weights / spin session. It wasn't particularly challenging, so I'll probably do another later as my DC will be training nearby.

I train daily but not usually multiple times but I know what works for me.

3 classes is probably ok, though light on cardio, unless you are doing more elsewhere. However, it's also entirely up to yourself & what works for you & your exercise needs.

I do four a week (combination of cardio/strength) and it's definitely enough for me, I consider myself fit. Couldn't do anymore due to work and other commitments. I do know people who do more, but they mostly don't work. However, I'm currently one of the top 10 attenders - I know this as there's an attendance board aimed to incentivise (you get prizes when you reach certain milestones). Does your gym do this? Otherwise, how do you know how often they attend if you're not there?

If you're happy with 3 classes and it's working for you, then do 3.

The others, it's a mix of having the time and wanting to do it because they enjoy it.

I go most days and would do more if I had fewer commitments, but it goes beyond the health benefits for me, I just really enjoy physical activity, it makes me feel good, burns off stresses and anxiety and I just like doing it.

You don't need to do more than your doing, but if like me you love it then why not?

As long as you are happy with the results that you are getting that’s all that matters.