Back in the early days of the fitness industry — yes, we mean the 1980’s, and yes, we were there — we as an industry made an achy breaky big mistakey. We geared ourselves to get the fit more fit. And that worked…. Just not for the unfit. Overweight, unfit, larger, older, “uncoordinated” people felt totally left out and threatened by gyms seemingly full of taut, toned, tight hard bodies flaunting their lean stuff. We know; we flaunted. But we never taunted, and that is an important point to keep in mind.
Perfection is Over-Rated
Fitness professionals and our beloved industry have changed. And not just out of tight-fitting lycra and midriff-baring spandex. We’ve changed to embrace, welcome, nay, even beg all sizes, shapes, ages, fitness levels to take part in an active world that genuinely cares about the health and happiness of everyone. You included!
We want YOU in our classes. We teach group classes because the people in them are the ginchiest and grooviest. And after more than 30 years of teaching, we can definitely say that almost everyone walks in to the exercise room for the first time with one thought in mind: “This is freakin’ scary!” How can we possibly know that? Because new students always come up and tell us. Not in those words. More like, “I haven’t worked out before. I can’t keep up with all these people. I don’t see anyone who looks like me. I don’t think I’ll last the entire time. I’m not coordinated.” These are the most common, but they all mean essentially the same thing.
I want THIS lady in my classes. She makes me feel happy!
People who teach group fitness do so because they love working with people. You are that person! When you’re in the group fitness room, all you need is a willing attitude and desire to try your best. So take a deep breath, remind yourself that the people in the club were once just as scared as you, and step into the light with these tips in mind:
- Start in a class! Why try to go it alone? Get thee to a group exercise workout that looks do-able and a good point of entry for your likes and goals. You will be surrounded by like-minded people, guided by a caring instructor, taught to move safely, and encouraged to find success at your pace;
- Introduce yourself to the teacher as a newbie or returnee or nervous Nelly. You will get suggestions, reassurance, insights on what to expect, modifications at no extra cost to your wallet or ego! Such a deal!;
- After class, have the instructor go over the group class schedule with you to recommend workouts right for you, your goals, your comfort level. We instructors love being asked for advice. Who knows the classes and types of people in them better than those who teach them? So take advantage of us as a resource and leave with your class schedule circled and underlined with options just right for you. Hint – if the class says “Kick Butt KickBox” you might want to leave that for later. Words like “Gentle,” or “Self-paced” or “Intro” may call your name.
- Attend with a friend, which will offer you immediate community, a shared experience, and boosted adherence (like our pithy slogan: attend with a friend. Quote us.) Every study ever done in the entire history of the world forever and ever shows that exercising with a friend increases success and happiness.
- Strike up a conversation with other class participants. These are your future friends and support group. They have been where you’ve been and are going where you are going. So why travel alone and anonymously?
Be aware that we (by “we” we mean all humans) tend to see what we are looking for. If you think you are going to hit the front desk and be whumped upside the eyeballs by “perfect bodies,” that is exactly what you will notice. If you can take a deep, yogic or aerobic breath and look again, you will notice something fabulous – “regular” people actually inhabit gyms. All ages, all sizes, all shapes, all kinds of fashion statements, all levels of everything. What they ALL have in common is a desire to avoid embarrassment; a desire to be healthier; to be more energetic; to be loved; to have friends; to have a low stress life; to enjoy their bodies more each day.
We leave you with a true and somewhat humorous story — in our 20s we taught at a small studio. The owner was one of those “ideal” bodies. And she was also beautiful and kind. Genetic Freak! A potential member came in to the studio to inquire about the classes. She took one look at the owner and remarked, “Oh, I could never look like that.” Then she spotted us. You wouldn’t run screaming from us, but we aren’t perfect. We are fun! Anyway, the woman pointed over toward us and said to the girl at the front desk, “But I could look like that.” So we have called ourselves the Attainable Goals ever since. We hope you’ll come be an attainable goal with us!
Readers: If you are new to exercise, what would it take to get you into the group fitness room? If you’re a regular exerciser, what could you do to make a new person feel included?
This post is part of a series inspired by Leah Segedie of Mamavation that has bloggers uniting to find ways to make everyone feel welcome in fitness settings. Please read the other posts right here! And please tweet our post using the #CreatingABetterFit hashtag so we can be included in the conversation. Thank you!
great tips! Although I’m not new to exercising, I still can get intimidated going into a new class for the first time, especially when there are lots of women in groups chatting. I try to go in and smile and ask someone who looks extra pleasant what we’ll need for class if the instructor doesn’t welcome new people.
On the instructor side – I think it would be great if the instructor would start class asking if there are any new people and if there are any injuries. I’ve been in too many classes lately where that is not done and form seems to not matter at all.
nicole @ making good choices recently posted..Comfort Food & An Emotional Time of Year
Great point Nicole. The club we teach requires instructors to ask if anyone’s new, and we agree with that rule. I tend to ask one-on-one about injuries, though, to avoid potential embarrassment. Although…if a teacher asked me, I’d probably overshare and say, “I pushed out two big-headed babies, so I don’t like to do the Jump and Pee.” Could just be me!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..7 Reasons to Start Getting Fit Now
Is that Jamie Lee Curtis up there?!
I’ve done tons of classes (I used to dance so I’m not afraid of a group dynamic!) where I’ve been all levels and sizes and have done all of the things you’ve listed and it has absolutely made a difference in what I take away from the class. Good advice, y’all. Don’t be scared to speak up!
I’ve been much more turned off in the past by the fellow class members even if the instructors were awesome. I was in a class just last week where afterwards one girl was ranting loudly and ignorantly about some rather unhealthy habits that she WISHED she had just to be more “perfect” looking. Everyone was laughing/rolling their eyes and even the instructor looked embarrassed. I don’t pay attention to that nonsense anymore but there was probably a time when I did and other newbies might feel discouraged. Shame on you, ignorant loudmouth!
ModernSauce recently posted..Don’t Stop Til It Thunders: The Story of a Sauce That Was Modern.
Oh yes, that is Miss Jamie Lee doing her “Pefect” routine. I remember being massively embarrassed for our profession when that movie came out. Your experience is sadly very common. There is a segment of the population that would rather be skinny than healthy. Grrrr, that’s one of our pet peeves – Skinny does NOT equal healthy; Healthy equals healthy. Next time you go to class, stand on the other side of the room and yell out, “Woot for me” every so often!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Holiday Food: Mind Over Platter
I absolutely LOVE this post! As both a fitness instructor AND a gym employee, I can say I LOVE inviting new members to my class, fixing up members with the perfect trainer or teacher, and basically being a person to help people get ENGAGED with the Y once they sign up. It is such an awesome thing to get to do at work all day. And yes, I totally agree – I want EVERYONE in my classes!
Thank you, although I cannot bring myself to call you by that name. Can I call you Mrs. CuteTiush? I think it would be fun to work out with you. What enthusiasm!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Holiday Food: Mind Over Platter
Great article..and the same can be said for us guy’s. going into the gym to get in some exercise when there’s some giant muscle head who lives at the gym next to you trying to seemingly out lift everyone when all you want to do is get in a descent workout can be a big turn-off..as far as taking classes, I’ve only takin a few but the one’s where you feel the most welcome are the ones you really have fun with and see results from..
oh nice picture of Jamie Lee..ha.ha. now that’s a blast from the past!
Gary recently posted..Best Weight Loss Programs
You guys are totally important. We’ve had many comments about the grunters, who may be the same guys you’re referring to. No matter your gender, it’s no fun being intimidated. If you want to know a secret, most women I’ve talked to over the years do NOT find the “poseurs” to be attractive. You know who they find attractive? The guys who come into group fitness. And yes, my male students are always surprised at the intensity of the workouts!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Fix Your Posture – Part 2
Been in group exercise pretty much my whole life. I’m very sociable and just love the interacting with the group. I’ve been doing street/hip hop dance class for years (that’s my staple form of exercise), but have tried my hand at many different types of classes and yes I’ve noticed a certain look of almost terror on the faces of the new people.
Taking a friend is an option, but the only thing I will say about that, is more often than not they will only ever go to class together. You see them in pairs but hardly ever alone. For this very reason I’ve always gone to classes on my own and formed new friendships within the group. That’s not from want of trying to drag my friends along, they are just not as interested in working out as I am and I accept that.
So whilst I appreciate people who are new to group exercise may want that extra bit of moral support from a familiar face, all too often it transcends into a case of ‘if my friend is not going then neither am I’.
I also agree with what Nicole said about the instructors playing more of a role in identifying the new people and making them feel part of the club from day one. Makes a difference.
Mena recently posted..Shake Weight for Women Review
Wow, Mena, what a well-thought out answer. I stink at hip hop (unless you find laughter to be a good workout), but you are right about it being sociable. What a shame if one person stays home because of another. I hope that the students will embrace the newbies to make them feel part of the “gang.” That is incumbent on the instructor to make sure everyone is integrated, I believe. The secret? Learn names!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Fix That Posture!
I would really join your gym if I lived nearby but I live in the Netherlands so that’s a little bit to far. Thanks for sharing!
Well, that is a bit far, but I go to Nederland every so often, so maybe one day I can come teach at your club! Goedzo!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Fit to Be Holiday Gifts
For me it would give some extra if my friends are in the same exercise room. they inspire me and if i want to quit they talk me in the the exercise room again!
Marlies recently posted..Belt buckle – How to choose
So true. Friends can be the best at motivating…or hindering. Depends on the friend. Did you know that fit people tend to be friends with other fit people?
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..7 Reasons to Start Getting Fit Now
I really love that video of that woman working the treadmill. Good find! My friends are not really into fitness. It’s a shame as i would love them to be.Still it doesn’t stop me from going to my Zumba class. Enjoy it way too much.
weightlossnstuff recently posted..How Lisse Leggings Create the Illusion of a Flat Tummy in Seconds
We love that video too. Isn’t she inspirational? Zumba is pretty popular over here too, and we’ve noticed that a lot of people who wouldn’t have normally exercised are now finding dance-based classes and joining up. So there’s hope for your friends!
I wish I had read this when I was 300 pounds. I lost my 158 pounds by walking through my neighborhood streets, but if I had felt comfortable somewhere working out with other like minded women, I would have loved it!
Diane Fit to the Finish recently posted..Lessons from the Couch
Hi Diane: We wish you had read it too, because we would have loved to have had you in class. Even though you are now 142 lbs, we’d still love to have you come to class if you are ever in Santa Barbara. All our students are like- minded in that they do not judge and just want to be healthy and have fun! And you are inspirational too, so that would be a bonus for them!
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Fix That Posture!