thoughts on exercise classes

[CuppaHorlix]

What are everyone's thoughts of exercise classes?

In my 20s I used to go to a lot of group classes but as I gained more and more weight with each of my 3 kids my self esteem got so low and I was always so embarrassed to go to them, but I think I may just suck it up and start going again.

I don't hate going to the gym, but I do sometimes find it a bit dull. I got really into running for a few months but I'm afraid all my passion for it has gone and now rather than looking forward to my runs, I really dread them! I usually wake up really early to go the gym just to get it out of the way so I'm not dreading it all day at work. I think that's a sad attitude to have towards exercise so want to find something I love again.

Does anyone here opt for exercise classes rather than the traditional cardio machines? Are they as effective? My gym offers Body Attack, Body Combat, Body Pump, Boxercise, Spin, as well as yoga/pilates. Also something called Row Fit which I've looked in on and it looks very intense!

I would spend 30 minutes after the class doing some strength training/ab work also. I'm just afraid the classes will be full of ultra fit people and I'll be huffing and puffing away. I'm 5ft5 and 10st10. Just started 5:2 this week. I don't want to get too caught up in numbers but goal is to fit back into my pre-kids size 8s!

Go to classes! I really enjoy them and they cater for all abilities..sure there will be some super fit people but there will also be a real mix and you can take it at your own pace..the music is usually good and instructors are moatlyl fun..
Also ditch the 5:2 esp if You are exercising..eat heathy none processed food, cut out sugar and exercise portion control..

thanks for the response. I think I will give them a go! No harm in trying.

Why do you say ditch 5:2? I've only heard really positive things about it. I think it will suit me as I like the idea of not having to be too restrictive with certain food groups etc. It focusses more on calories rather than particular food choices. I'd like to give it a go for a few weeks at least and see how I go.

I enjoy gym classes, but I also do some heavy weights training alone.
I do HIIT spin, XFit, boxing classes. Find something you enjoy, that gets your heart pounding and / or really works your muscles.
Noone is interested in how you look; they are too busy trying to improve their own fitness.

The gym will say if any classes are not suitable for beginners.
Spin usually suits all abilities, because you can adjust the resistance to your fitness level and slow down if you wish.

I exercise intensely 5-6 times per week. I've been doing 5:2 and then maintaining for several months now. It has helped my fitness and strength, not harmed it.

Scientific studies (see Varady et al) indicate that IF (Intermittent Fasting) diets like ADF or 5:2 retain muscle better than conventional diets, so more of the weight lost is fat.
Several of us on the 5:2 threads are scientists who are able to evaluate studies in other fields.

There is a lot of rubbish talked about fasting by people who haven't bothered to read the recent science papers or can't understand them. They quote tired old dogma from years ago.
Some are convinced that their own low fat / low carb / vegan / paleo ... diet is the absolute only way.

Weight loss requires a calorie deficit. Some people prefer to concentrate this into 2 days; others prefer daily dieting.
Whichever method you personally find easiest.

thanks for more great advice BigChoc. I think I need to just start enjoying exercise again. I definitely want to give Boxercise and BoxFit a go. There's also a class at my gym called Row Fit. I think I just need to shake things up a bit and try out a new routine.

I'm also thinking of going to the gym in the evenings rather than morning. Kids are old enough now that I can leave them at home and they can make their own dinner etc since DH isn't usually home until >6.30. I find early sessions do wake me up but they also leave me starving all day and I tend to nibble a bit too much! Hopefully if I switch it around and go to classes at 6/7/8pm, that problem will go away.

Do you take any pre-workout drinks? DH does before his runs and loves them but I'm not sure if they're really bad for you..

Regarding a calorie deficit..I've spent years on specific diets, eliminating certain food groups etc and I've been miserable on most of them. I had just wrapped my head around the idea that all it takes is a simple deficit (read examples of people who lived off McDonalds and sweets and still lost weight!) when my friend told me about a book she's just finished called The Calorie Myth. It basically says the exact opposite: that not all calories are equal. People who follow the advice say they eat a lot more calories than they used to but are losing more weight because of the types of food they are eating... so there's some people saying 300cals worth of avocado or 300cals worth of chocolate will still have the same impact in terms of weight (obviously not health/nutrition!) and other's saying they are completely different....such a head f*ck!

I train with an outdoors bootcamp....in all weathers. love it!!

and I run...outside....in all weather

If you look at the calories in those 'sports drinks', and compare them to the calories your workout uses, I think you can probably come to your own conclusion TBH

Obviously if you weren't trying to lose weight, and just going for maximum sporting performance, you might take a diffferent view...

I've heard great things about Body Pump. Hoping to start a class soon myself.

I also love classes. I do body attack, spin and boxercise. Boxercise is definitely my favourite!
The best pre-workout I've found so far is the Optimum Nutrition brand. boulevard I'm not sure which you are referring to but the most calories I've seen in any pre-workouts is 20 per scoop, the ON brand is just 10 per scoop.
Others I've used have made me kinda twitchy but the ON brand is great. Go to a few classes and see how it goes. As you say, no harm in trying. And as BigChoc said, no one is interested in how you look. At 5ft5 10st10 I can assure you you will by no means be the "biggest" there! Not by a long shot. Yes there will be some super trim very fit people but there will also be people with a lot more weight to lose than you. Give it a go :) Hopefully you'll love them.

You don't need a sports drink; you have enough stored fuel to handle any gym routine. Such drinks just add extra calories and often contain dubious ingredients.
I like to have a double espresso 10 mins before training. It helps release fat stores for energy - only works if you exercise and doesn't work for everyone.

Eat a healthy meal as soon as poss after training to fuel your recovery and muscle repair. You need plenty of good quality protein and optionally some carbs, but it doesn't have to be a big meal. No junk.

All scientific studies show that total calorie intake is dominant, but a recent paper showed a healthy diet might have up to a 300 cal advantage over a very poor one.
So, cutting out sweet junk & alcohol and replacing simple white carbs by complex ones could slightly speed up weight loss.

Studies also show that few people - and hardly any women - can lose weight by exercise alone. You must eat fewer calories.

When low carb, low fat, 16:8 etc work, it is because they have enabled that person to reduce calories, even if not consciously.
The rare exception is when a food that is a problem for that particular person has been eliminated by a diet.

BigChocFrenzy - I'm also a scientist by trade and can appreciate the pro 5:2 evidence, but it seems like it would mean 2 days of huge pain per week!
I'm currently training 6 days/week (including weights I can only lift for 8 reps, I won't use the term 'heavy' ) - are you not starving when you train on a fast day?

I agree with BigChoc that preworkouts shouldn't be necessary...but I'm afraid I have become a little dependent on them. I usually go to classes at around 7-8pm and just a scoop of the Optimum Nutrition stuff really does the trick, and for 10 extra calories I don't feel guilty or anything. Although I do agree that the chemicals in the formula...well it ain't all that nutritious!

Boulevard I do 5:2 as well but will admit I am no way as hardocore as BigChoc with my workouts! I "go hard" 3 days a week. I will do a class followed by 30-45 minutes of heavy weights. My 2 fast days I do a gentle class like Bums Tums and Thighs, pilates or yoga, then a take the weekend off.

Don't know much about 5:2 and I've recently started paleo diet, so won't comment on diet. But classes, I can highly recommend boxercise.

I went on my own for the first time 4 weeks ago and there were many there, all shapes and sizes, some physically fit (as in could throw a fucking hard punch ) but overweight. Everyone gave it 100% and that's what I liked about the group.

We don't have much rest in between the different things we do, but that's good. We were paired up for 75% of it and then did an exercise which mixed us all up. It was also a giggle too - suppose that would depend on instructor.

Even our instructor does not have a "personal trainer-type" body, he can obviously box, but just looked normal.

Good luck, hope you find something to suit you

Good point, wheelsonfire, I am counting a Body Balance class as training, and I could probably manage that on a growling stomach.

Oh, but that is Sunday and my day off would be Sat, and that is consecutive days. Arse. Will need to study gym timetable.

You really shouldn't need any pre workout drink/food for exercising for 60-90 minutes or less - you have enough carbohydrate stored in your body for that.

I use them for longer sessions, but for anything under an hour there's just no need and they will impede your weight loss.