I've realised I prefer exercising at home

[tectonicplates]

My favourite yoga teacher has been teaching online. I've been enjoying it even more than usual and felt even calmer than usual. She usually teaches at this stereotypical trendy yoga studio that I only go to because of her, although I do sometimes go to other classes there.

It's made me realise how much resentment I often feel towards people in the real-life classes - they're always thinner and trendier than me. I know this is my issue, not theirs and would never say it to anyone's face.

But I've also realised how much I can't stand "yoga studio culture". I wish I could find a regular class at a hired space/community hall as it's usually much nicer, but it's so hard to find a teacher I actually click with. So online classes seem like a much better idea, even once the lockdown ends.

I also sometimes treat myself to classes at this trendy exercise studio that I've convinced myself is great because it's so popular with women. But in reality, it's mainly populated by young, slim and beautiful people dressed in Lululemon, and it makes me feel rubbish. I even feel annoyed with the instructors wearing tiny crop tops that I'd never fit into. Again I'm not blaming them, I'm just realising I'm glad I'm not there.

This week I restarted 30 Day Shred. So much better! No overcrowded class, no getting annoyed with people. So much better for reducing stress.

I'm sure some of you will say it's just because I haven't found the right gym for me, but why even find one at all? There's plenty of exercise videos on YouTube.

Why indeed? I think there will be a lot of people feeling the same about home workouts/running/outdoor exercise, for whatever reason. Winter weather might change their minds a little though .

Indeed. We've been going out for walks as much as possible, which has mainly been lovely, but it'll be a different story in November.

For some people, exercise is about a social experience and the motivation you get from others. Our classes are Zoom based at the moment and I’m glad to have them, but, for me, it’s not nearly as motivating as being with other people. I’m doing thrm, but am lacking conviction.

My trainer has been doing yoga and pilates online and I've been thinking the same - not that everyone is skinny and lovely but certainly better than me and that as I know my form is good (so dont need her to correct it) it's much easier to do it at home - I can not be self conscious about the fact I'm not as bendy or whatever. In fact I'm hoping she will keep the online element.

I love going to my yoga classes, but have also discovered that I really enjoy it at home too (my studio now has online classes).

They are going to carry on with the online (live and pre-recorded) classes afterwards which I'm really pleased with - just easier to fit in with kids and work.

I agree; I used to go to regular pilates classes which were fine but I used to get annoyed by other people and it always seemed such an effort to get changed, make my way to the studio etc. Especially when it's raining. The classes are now on zoom and I couldn't be happier - it's the same workout with the same teachers (so there's a little bit of chat at the start and end and we're encouraged to have our videos on if we want corrections on form etc) but there's no pressure, I can just wear my pyjamas if I want and I'm far less self conscious which results in me actually making more of an effort because I'm not worried I'll look stupid. I'm really hoping they keep up the online classes after lockdown!

@Pipandmum Yes! I also hate adjustments, which thankfully don't happen too often any more. I'm definitely hoping my teacher will keep up one of her online classes permanently.

I used to think I had a love-hate relationship with yoga but I've realised I actually love yoga, just don't like a lot of the teachers or class venues.

I wonder if gyms will lose members once they realise that it’s possible to keep for at home for free! Ok not as good as a fitted out gym but hey...
I’m going to buy myself a weigh bench and weights for my garage. I can go running anytime, where ever I want. Costs nothing!

I actually still like the interaction with the teacher who I've known for many years, so I'm happy to pay for her classes as I like her. I still get something more personal out of it that I don't get with Jillian Michaels. But I wouldn't say that about any other teacher I can think of.

The trendy gym is currently doing classes online for a cheap price but I'm still not interested as they're still these trendy instructors who don't make me feel motivated.

I mentioned crop tops because I have a large cup size and most teachers don't seem to have a clue that some things are a lot more difficult for me because of that. Even with the strongest, most properly fitted bra, I still have limitations. And the younger, more inexperienced yoga teachers in particular seem to have only trained with thin people so they have no idea about different body shapes. Even having a bit of a belly means you have to move it out of the way a bit in order to do certain twists.

I won't be going back to my gym. I have my kettle bells at home and now a new treadmill.

No need to go there anymore 😊

I will be back in a heartbeat as i have no self discipline and need an external thing to make me do it! But everything you say makes perfect sense too.

I am really enjoying doing pilates via Zoom because my living room is at the right temperature for me and I don't waste time getting to and from my class. I think a lot of gyms and fitness classes will suffer from people preferring to do classes at home because it is more convenient, most of them are free, and in many cases it is more comfortable than being in a cold and draughty church hall.

I'ce been doing class at home but I am missing the gym classes.
Ill never be thin young and trendy again but I dont care.
I miss being pushed in class to make the extra effort and I miss going to some classes with my friend and huffing and puffing in mock misery but enjoying it ( and then going to the pub on the way home for a good chat!) Sometimes I go to to classes before work and my boss and colleagues will be doing other classes at the same time.Back at work we have breakfast and then main about how much we are aching! All good banter. I can't wait for it to come back.

I’m doing Zoom classes and some Les Mills on demand but I Phone It In big time without someone actually watching me. Jillian would be aghast!

I love my treadmill but I’ve been wanting to start Pilates for a while, as a support for my ‘running’ (grand term for it, I’m getting back into it after a long break due to injury and I’m early on in c25k programme). I like yoga but I find the huffy puffy spiritual breathing bit a bit (lot) frustrating. I know the whole point is to breathe properly and master the frustration but arghhhhhhhhh.

Gah, sorry, meant to say that I wanted to start Pilates but I’ve been putting it off because I hate classes and being the new person when everyone has been going forever and has their little mat cliques and knows the sequences and I feel like an uncoordinated drunken octopus. I looked at YouTube but thought I could do with doing it with an instructor to check my form first, given that small movements and correct posture are so key in Pilates. I don’t want to do it wrong and either a) injure myself or (more likely) b) just not get the actual benefit from it and waste my time on the mat. Hmm.

I love exercising at home as there's so much more flexibility and it's a long drive to a decent gym from where I live. Having good quality equipment and the right space to work out helps enormously.

Yes! I've taken up yoga and pilates at home
Never going to pay for another class.

So I was just thinking, would I go back to these classes if they were free of charge? My answer is probably not.

OP, I know what you mean and I think the whole trendy thing defeats the object of yoga. I loved my old class, the teacher was a middle aged guy and most of the class was elderly. I was in my early 30s when I joined and I loved it. Since the class stopped I started doing yoga at home and have done so for the past four years :-)

Good for you. I prefer doing yoga workshops, like a 3 hour one, which does need to be face to face, as you get into the skill plus feel like you have been to a spa after. I was going to one a month before lockdown. Had to look around for a cheap one. It helps keep my motivation up then separate practise at home.

@beachbreeze Yep. And the Lululemon thing is particularly a problem because I've tried going to their shops a few times and the staff always look down their noses at me as if to say, you're too fat to wear our tiny leggings.

It depends on the studio. I go to an amazing yoga studio that overlooks the sea and has a roof for outdoor practice. They have a dawn class as the sun rises over the sea. I can't get this practicing at home!

As well as lots of free yoga online there are pre-covid paid-for yoga apps, you might like one of those?

I love group fitness, missing the gang at my local leisure centre, range of ages, sizes, fitness levels.

3 hours
I love yoga, but I would be bored after one hour.