Should I try one of these classes?

[LegoLivingRoom]

I’ve been attending a group PT session since the beginning of the year, but it’s closing soon and I need an alternative. Other options near me are either too hard core and expensive and/or want me to commit to 3x a week, which doesn’t work for me. (My job means I need flexibility.)

I tried the local gym and found I don’t enjoy it, so didn’t go, whereas
I find the PT classes fun. That said, I’m painfully shy and find groups difficult at the beginning, particularly the fear of looking stupid! A 1on1 PT is out as someone solely focused on me would be too much.

My local sport centres offers body pump, GRIT strength and body conditioning. The centre is a bit crap, so calling to ask anything won’t get me anywhere. When I look online too see what body pump, etc., entails it’s all glossy videos of super fit people, which is off putting and not me. So, do I just rock up to one of the classes to try it and, if so, which one?

Sadly, the real people in these sorts of classes rarely look like the glossy adverts. If only I could look like that in a Pump class. It’s mostly ordinary women of varying abilities and strength. You’ll be fine!

The people will be very ordinary! Mainly women.

I like Les Mills type classes.

The problem is that if your ‘form’ is bad the large class sizes mean the instructor can’t give feedback, so even though the classes are doable for sedentary people there’s risk of injury. (As with any exercise really unless something like walking or gentle swimming, or advice in a small group).

Yeah just normal people, 90% women, varying ability. I find the music plus a good instructor helps me feel like I’m in a promotion video though 😂

Oh, thank-you, good to know it will be regular people. My current group is all women in my age range (or older) and makes me feel more comfortable.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to which one to try first? I’m used to doing a circuit with a mixture of free weights, machines and core.

BodyPump is done with a bar with weights on it. You pick your weights so start low until you get an idea of the class and how it works then you can increase once you get the hang of it. I do it and am late 50s size 16/18. The classes work through similar routine each time - there will be a warm up, squats, lower body, upper body, shoulders, back etc. I love it - like being told what to do and can’t leave as it’s a class (I get bored in the gym and give up) but depends what you like.

i haven’t done GRIT or body conditioning!

My local gym has Body Pump and Body Balance (my favourite) and I'd say of the 20 people in the class there are 20 variants. A good instructor will encourage you to work at your own level. I think generally local sports centres have fewer posers so give it a go!

I’d try body pump out of the 3. IIRC Grit is like a combination of body pump and body conditioning done in a HIIT format so it would be tough to try from the outset.

All promotional videos are populated by super fit amazing looking people. They’re meant to be aspirational but it’s unlikely the people that attend will even remotely look like any person in the video.

if you can turn up to Pump early and tell the teacher you’re new. They may run through some technique points with you for certain moves. They used to do a technique class but I think they gave up insisting people ran it because a lot of people skipped it. And if a teacher gives a teaching point during the class, check yourself. It will probably be aimed at someone but usually the kind of person who thinks they know it all but does it all wrong. Don’t be that person! Teaching points are given to help ensure you do it properly and safely.

Hey

Thank-you everyone, that’s really helpful. Body pump it is!

Hey I'm a LesMills instructor - yes start with BodyPump, GRIT is higher intensity.
If possible, go tell the instructor it's your first time, they will help you to set up, choose right weights and will keep an eye on you. And don't get scared if you can't keep up the first time - it's the same program for several weeks, you will have time to get used to the exercises. But yes, we have people in all shapes,sizes and abilities, everyone is welcome.