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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 3 or 4 exercise classes a week is enough

105 replies

Academiahell · 29/04/2024 05:57

I’ve been trying to improve my fitness for a while after not exercising at all during the first half of my 20s. I currently do around 3 classes a week (one weights, one cardio, one Pilates) and feel pretty happy with that.

I’ve noticed that +++ people at my gym do multiple classes per day and are there most days so do around 7-10 per week. For me this seems excessive but maybe I am just lazy?

AIBU to think that 3 classes a week are enough!

OP posts:
ringoffiire · 29/04/2024 06:01

Yes of course you are doing enough. Just google the NHS exercise guidelines.

EnterFunnyNameHere · 29/04/2024 06:02

If you're happy and meeting your fitness goals, yes, it's enough. I'm not sure how membership works at your gym, but maybe they're just trying to really get their money's worth!!

The multiple classes a day thing I think does make sense. Lots of people might (for example) do a pure strength thing the same day as pure cardio, or do yoga as a warm down/up to an intense cadlrdio class?

But so long as you're getting what you want out of your gym exp, does it matter?

EveningSpread · 29/04/2024 06:03

It depends what your goals are, how hard you work during the classes, how active you are outside them, and what you eat.

Kindleonfire · 29/04/2024 06:06

I'd presume that someone doing that many classes doesn't have a job or kids or other commitments or life outside of the gym.

If 3 classes meets your needs and can be managed around everything else in life, then keep doing 3.

Yazzi · 29/04/2024 06:07

You're being unreasonable for judging other people's time at the gym. Maybe they have different fitness goals to you. Maybe they're there for the social angle and their mental health.

You do you, and leave them to them.

Beatrixslobber · 29/04/2024 06:09

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

DivergentTris · 29/04/2024 06:48

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?

Teentrauma · 29/04/2024 07:02

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?

EarringsandLipstick · 29/04/2024 07:07

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.

Original poster
Academiahell · 29/04/2024 07:08

Teentrauma · 29/04/2024 07:02

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?

Ive got to know a few people as I go to regular classes and they generally go 5+ days a week. I admit that my view on this might be skewed.

It’s brilliant of course if people have the time and/or enjoy it for their mental health but I can’t help feeling a bit disheartened.

I feel like there’s an undertone as well with some people being like oh this is my third class of the day. As I said I grew up extremely inactive so I’m not sure what is enough.

OP posts:
PineappleTime · 29/04/2024 07:09

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!

TheExclusiveSandwich · 29/04/2024 07:10

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.

DustyLee123 · 29/04/2024 07:12

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

BarrelOfOtters · 29/04/2024 07:12

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.

DuckBushCityLimit · 29/04/2024 07:15

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.

DivergentTris · 29/04/2024 07:15

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.

Elebag · 29/04/2024 07:19

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.

spriots · 29/04/2024 07:22

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

MissBedelia · 29/04/2024 07:25

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.

MissBedelia · 29/04/2024 07:27

And what @spriots said about other walking/cycling

DatingDinosaur · 29/04/2024 07:27

" 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.

rookiemere · 29/04/2024 07:31

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.

dementedpixie · 29/04/2024 07:34

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.

Kinshipug · 29/04/2024 07:35

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.

Catopia · 29/04/2024 07:39

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?