exercise classes - is doing something advanced (for you) stretching yourself (in more ways than 1) or likely to do you harm?

[Fatmomma99]

Hi

I'd appreciate your advice. I do several classes a week (I need to s v overweight and was terribly unfit). I've been doing this about 18 months. I am v bored with the aerobics classes, which never really vary. I also do Body Combat (which I can't keep up with) and I've just tried and really, really like Body Attack and Boot Camp. I can't keep up in either. ie: I can't do press-ups, I can't do burpies, I can't hold a plank for more than about 10 seconds.

Should I stay with the classes that bore me, or is it ok to do classes that are more advanced than my levels of fitness. I don't think the instructors mind me being there, and I make sure not to get in the way of anyone who's fitter than me.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

If the instructors are aware of your ability level and happy to have you then go for it. Good for you to want to get fitter. I bet you will be amazed how quickly your stamina improves. Just don't push yourself to the point of injury. Most classes have 'layers' of difficulty so stop at that level and do it well rather than try something too hard and do it poorly.

Good luck.

I also think it's fine to push yourself in those circumstances. As long as you are sticking to good form (i.e. one good press up on your knees is better than 10 poor press ups on your toes, one slow burpee better than 10 sloppy fast ones) then you won't hurt yourself, and you will get better... After all, if you could do everything, there'd be no point in going to a class, would there?

I think ideally look for something between the two, and perhaps increase overall fitness with some none class exercise ( or more if you already do some). If not, then I'd stay with the harder ones as long as the instructors are fine with you going at your pace.
As to the general question, it's very hard to tell yourself what is stretching and what is too much if you haven't got experience of what limits your body has. Eg I don't do ballet, but could tell immediately what the effect of any movement was on my body, whether a healthy level of pushing or too much. As a general rule of thumb if you can't judge yourself, a good level of pushing is feeling that your muscles are worked afterwards, which if you aren't used to it may be interpreted as aching. If however they are still aching hours later, or next day, then it's been too much. Obviously lots of fit people do stuff that leaves them aching/ tired for ages, but it's not worth the risk of injury at your level if you aren't experienced enough to judge what your limits are.

I massively want to thank you all (and hope you all see this): I spend most of my time on MN in AIBU, and there are regular threads which say things like "... posted this on xxx, but got no responses, so posting here for traffic"

And I got traffic!

So thank you all so much. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it, and how much I'll use your recommendations in RL.

At the moment I have an injury, so I'm approaching all the instructors to explain that there are things I can't do because I'm injured, but I also do say how crap I am, even if I'm not injured, and tell them how I won't be able to keep up, and they're all very welcoming and kind.

If I had a magic wand, I wish there would be someone standing next to me to tell me HOW to make myself better at the things I'm rubbish at. But I guess you have to pay extra for that.

Thank you, all. You've given me the courage to attend classes I really shouldnt' be doing, but enjoy!

It doesn't matter whether you are crap or rubbish, which I suspect you aren't anyway. Unless you plan to take them up at pro level, then you're doing them as intended- enjoyment and exercise. And just doing the classes regularly will improve your efficiency anyway.

If you can afford it, it might be worth paying for a couple of sessions with a personal trainer (gyms sometimes do introductory offers) as they will be able to help you with correct form and perhaps suggest things you can do at home to help build your strength up between classes. In any case, keep going for it - all power to you!

Op ( do change your name!)

Have you tried Spin?
In the dark, ( sit at the back if you like) you can do it at your own speed - just tell the instructor you are new, great music, loads of gratifying sweat

My mum was so upset when I told her what my username was on here, BrendaandEddie. I may change it when I've shifted a couple of stone!

If by spin you mean those v advanced biking things. OMG.... I'd expire!!!!

no you wouldnt. EVERYONE starts somewhere

Go in ten minutes early and say to teh instructor you are trying it out

Ooooo.... spin classes are prop more than I can do. (bear in mind I do Body Combat, Body Attack and am considering Boot Camp, which are ALL more than I can do).

But I do thank you very much for giving me your view.

Are you a size 6? I'm 18. Not pretty! (but trying!)

god no!

Doesn't matter what size you are, don't let that put you off trying. One of my friends is that size, while I'm very low body fat. If we started doing something like insanity, then yes I have an advantage. Average gym class, or power walking, or the usual type of exercise videos, there really wouldn't be any difference. More importantly, unless whoever is running the class tells you it's beyond you, the best exercise is one you enjoy.

You are SO right, Lurked. I bumped into the Boot Camp instructor tonight on my way to another class and asked him if it was ok if I came again, and he was SO welcoming (even though I reminded him how crap I am). Bless him! He offered to give me easier things to do! (I told him he didn't need to do that, but to know there would be things in the class I couldn't keep up with).

So, if I post tomorrow, it will be with aching fingers!

Well done you! Now just stop thinking and saying your crap. You aren't, even if you can't do anything whatsoever because you're trying, and besides you are clearly managing plenty or the trainer wouldn't be encouraging you to try more difficult things.

I'm a size 18 and I've been doing spin for about 6 months. I was a size 22 when I started. You can do it. Spin is about what you can do not what others are doing.

Good for you capitals!!!!

Spin is scary to me (I ride a bike a lot in RL and I'm very rubbish and slow, and the source of amusement to anyone who knows me and sees me round town).

I did do boot camp tonight, and really enjoyed it again. It's going to be a regular thing!

I really do appreciate the advice I got on this thread - it gave me the courage to have another go. So thanks again to one and all!

Well done :)
I'm a 16 and do spin, pole fitness, weights etc

Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!

Boot camp on Thur followed by body attack on Fri while recovering from 2 cracked ribs and not really fit enough anyway = Ow!

You'll get there if you stick with it.

You're brave working out with cracked ribs though. I'd be sticking to lifting cuppas!

I teach some of those classes and I would definitely encourage you to keep coming. Don't be afraid to take options - instructors are hopefully showing some (like walking instead of running, plank on your knees etc). If you only do stuff you can easily keep up with and don't push yourself, you won't see much of an improvement either. Oh, and I could not do press-ups either when i first started going to the gym.

Thanks HazleNutt. I know it's hard over the internet, but can you give any advice to work up to stuff? At Attack on Friday the instructor gave a suggestion for people doing push ups on their knees (as I still do) which worked the front of your upper arms which he said would make us stronger.

I'm trying to build up to hold a plank on my toes. I can manage to the count of 10 before I go down onto my knees.

Do you have any tips on how to build up?

no magic tricks I'm afraid, just keep doing it - you will get stronger. Don't be afraid to take the options, always better to do the easier one with proper form than try the full one with bad technique. If you find some exercises too challenging, ask your instructors for alternatives.

Dammit!

When will someone give me the bloody magic wand?????

(and thanks for the advice)