Most effective way to tone up. Classes or gym?

[losenotloose]

I've been going to spin and body pump classes since the end of October. I prefer classes because someone else is motivating me to keep going! However, just going to the gym would be more convenient time wise and I'm wondering if it's the best way to get results.

What do you think?
Thanks

Bump please

In my (admittedly not recent) experience, it's classes every time. Well worth the extra effort.

What about Yoga or Pilates?

Would yoga and Pilates be good for all over toning?

I'm an exercise novice. Are yoga and Pilates good for toning??

Pilates has made an enormous difference to my body, and seriously improved my posture.

Oops, didn't mean to post twice!

Yoga and Pilates are both great for toning.

Doing regular Pilates has given me toned arms, which I’ve never had before.

Classes - definitely Yoga and Pilates
see if you can find a BodyBalance class - its the best there is

I do kettle bells at home. They've made a massive difference to me. Also go for a run when the mood takes me. Not so often in the winter 😂

Classes for me because I actually turn up and actually work hard. Too easy to shirk the gym or shirk at the gym.

Pilates made far more difference to me than Body Pump

If your gym does Pump they have a Les Mills licence so will probably have Balance on the timetable.

Yoga and Pilates vary MASSIVELY depending on the instructor so you may have to check out several to find one that 'clicks'
but its worth it

Pilates gives you the BEST bum ever, kinda makes it point upwards

It depends on whether you know what you are doing in the gym (e.g. Have good form and know how to use the equipment/appropriate number of sets and reps). Hopefully, a qualified fitness instructor at your gym could help you out, but if you don't know what you're doing (and know you would benefit from the motivation) then classes are great.

Spin is good cardio (and may help with weight loss), but you're better off doing load-bearing (even if it's just body weight) exercise to tone up.

I decided to a (really good) Pilates studio rather than join a gym.

I agree about the effect on bums. I now actually have a bum, rather than a flat thing where one should be.

Body pump and Pilates I love- if I go to the gym (sadly v rare now) I’m diligent in making sure I spend majority of my time running. Weights wise
I think I only work our effectively with a teacher

Can you afford a personal trainer?
Lifting weights is the best way to tone up. If you can get a personal trainer to show you the basics and write you a program then you won't need to do classes.

Alternatively you could write your own routine eg.

Monday - legs
Tues- upper body
Wed- abs/core + cardio
Thursday- rest
Friday- legs
Saturday- upper body + long walk/swim
Sunday - rest

Go to YouTube and research which exercises you should be doing for each body part. Whitney Simmons is good.
Keep track of amount you can lift and the length of time you train and steadily increase this to see improvements.

Honestly YouTube is brilliant for workout inspiration, don't go to the gym without a plan!

Maybe add a dance class as well, they're a lot of fun.

Talkinpeece, please could you tell me more about Body Balance? Another class novice here!

Wow, Pilates sounds good! I'm paying a membership at my local leisure centre so would have to go there, unfortunately can't afford a pt/ independent Pilates classes etc.

Hooman
This is the current routine ....

Every club in the world is doing it for the next week or two and then they will all start doing this one

Thanks a lot! I’ll check that out.

I found a mixture of both classes and weights worked great for me. Legs bums and tums was great for toning, then I used to do most my gym sessions on weights as I wasn't always able to get to classes.