When I first started taking Les Mills classes six years ago, I always felt uncomfortable because I never knew what to expect. I had to learn new techniques and skills while attending these classes. For me it was a bit of a struggle because I had to learn things the hard way, and I wish I knew better tips back then. That’s why I’m going to share some things I learned that I think will guide newer participants into success.
Bring A Water Bottle
This sounds like a no brainer, but it is important to stay hydrated during your workout. You will be sweating a lot during class, so it is very important that you bring with you plenty of water or other sports drink to consume during the class. There will always be short breaks given by the instructor, so use that to your advantage and hydrate. Keep this in mind with the warmer months of the year, as you will lose more water in your system in the summer, so always modify your intake around that time.
Study The Group Fitness Schedule
It’s easy to end up in the wrong place if you don’t know where you are supposed to go. That’s why it’s important to look at the schedule first, and find out if you are interested in taking that class. If so, make sure you know the correct room to go to as well. I see many new people who don’t always go to the correct room right away, so its important to ask somebody or carefully read the schedule. For example, Universal Athletic Club has a detailed schedule that clearly lay outs the classes, times and studios.
Introduce Yourself To The Instructor
The instructor is there to help guide you throughout your workout. He or She will tell you everything you need to know about the class. If the instructor calls out your name during the workout, it’s not to embarrass you. The instructor knows that you are doing your best, and are acknowledging the fact that you are putting in the effort. In the end, the goal of the instructor is to ensure that all the participants are working out in a safe environment, and ensuring everyone is getting the most out of their workout.
You Will Have A Support System
Throughout the years I have participated in group fitness, I have met so many people and built great relationships with other participants. It only takes a few classes until others start to notice your presence, and once you meet others who are taking classes with you, it creates a special bond between everyone.
Modify Your Workout
It is never necessary to have to perform all the high impact options during your first class. Normally, you are advised to stay with lower intensity first, as it helps build the foundations of the workout. For example, in a class using weight plates, the instructor will encourage the regulars to go heavier, but the new folks will be instructed to use smaller plates. It is always best to perfect form and technique because using higher weights and having terrible form is not a good idea. Lighter weights will ensure that your safety during the workout is the top priority. And always remember to take the options if necessary.
You Don’t Have To Stay The Whole Time
It’s ok to leave the class early. This allows you to take the workout at your own pace, and still feeling a sense of accomplishment. Normally, it is recommended to leave after the first four or five working tracks, and when you choose to come back, add another track and keep repeating the process until you are comfortable taking the full class. If you are able to build up slowly to being able to take a full class, your confidence level with go up!
Try The Class At Home, If You Can
Whenever I can’t make it to a live class, I have a home workout solution in case I need to get my fitness fix! I highly recommend trying Les Mills On Demand, for those times you cant make it to the gym. Even though it is a little expensive buying the equipment as seen below, and paying the monthly service for streaming the content, it is worth it in the long run! And there are some classes that don’t require equipment, so there are many options to explore!
It’s Ok To Fail At First
It always takes several classes to learn the familiarity of the choreography to the class. It is not expected of you to master everything you are learning the first few classes. The main goal of your first few classes is to simply get a feel of the moves, focusing on proper technique, rather than the intensity of the moves. Once you have mastered this concept, then it is appropriate to add the high intensity options.
Now that you have learned everything you should know, I hope you find comfort in the fact that it takes time to build a fitness relationship. I like to think of fitness as this “relationship” because it takes time to build it as such, and it will be hard at first. Just know that you are not alone, and there are people out there who are willing to help you through the process. I hope to see you at the gym someday!
Andrew's Fitness Blog 