Group classes are BACK, and we couldn’t be happier! So what is so great about our group class format, that differs from turning up at a standard gym to do your own thing?
These are our top 5 reasons why our group classes are the place to be.
1. Structure and Programmeming
Starting a workout routine can be overwhelming. Where do you even begin? How do you know how to structure a workout, or put together a whole week of training? How do you know how long to work out for – what’s enough? And how much is too much? What movements should you do to try and reach your goals, and how many reps? So many questions!
Here’s where we come in. Group classes take care of all those questions for you. Every session is planned with you in mind – with a movement-specific warm up designed not only to get you warm, but prepare your body for the movements that are coming up by activating the right muscles, and drilling relevant movement patterns. The workout is then structured in such a way that it can be adapted, modified and scaled to suit every person in the class regardless of their experience or ability, and to help each member hone in on their individual goals. There’s no need for you to plan or decide out what to do, so you can turn up, jump straight into a class, and have a great workout.
In terms of the bigger picture, the class programmeming will also help you progress over time. The sessions will build week to week, so you can develop and improve. Whether it’s learning and practicing a new skill or technique, or increasing weights or intensity over time – the format enables members to safely progress from their individual starting point.
2. Technique Talk
A huge benefit of attending group coached classes is of course the coaching itself. If you’re working out alone, you might not know if you’re performing a movement correctly. Throughout a class, you have a coach right there to provide cues and instruction, feeding back and helping you improve your form. Keeping technique in check not only means you’ll move more efficiently, but will reduce your chances of getting injured, or developing bad habits which might hinder your progress further down the line.
3. Constantly Varied
When you fly solo and choose your own workout, it’s easy to show up at the gym and do the same routine each time. The consistency might be good for building a healthy habit… but doing the same thing again and again will lead to a plateaux in your progress (and it can get pretty boring, right?).
To continue making progress and avoid getting stuck in a rut, it’s time to mix things up. By definition, CrossFit is constantly varied, with a whole range of different movements, workout formats, intensities… it’s what we do! So you’ll not only do movements that you might avoid if you were working out on your own, but you will also have the opportunity to develop new skills, and try movements which you may not have the confidence to try on your own – or that you might’ve simply forgotten about!
4. A Healthy Influence
To quote ‘Atomic Habits’:
“Surround yourself with people that have good habits, so you naturally imitate them.”
Habits are more attractive to us when there are other people doing them. If a behaviour is normal in a group of people, it is most likely we will start acting like them as well. Of course, this theory can have negative consequences if the people that surround us give in to bad habits…. (flash back to our Mums telling us not to hang out with the school friends who caused trouble, because it would rub off on us!), but in the same way, it can have positive consequences if we are surrounded by people with good habits. By joining in a culture where your desired behaviour is the norm, it is so much easier to become immersed in that behaviour and identify with it. By joining a class of what you think are friendly, fit and healthy people, you become one of them. They becomes we. This switch will help to build those long-lasting habits you are chasing.
5. The SCFIT Family
Working out with a group of people is motivating, and you gain a new source of accountability from your class mates. Not only will you likely find that working out with others will push you to work harder, but you’ll have more fun doing it. Let the enthusiasm and energy of the group be your fuel!
You may not like everything about a workout, but the people who are right there going through the same workout make it more enjoyable. You can share in each other’s successes, and support one another through struggles. We are proud of the strong community at SCFIT, and we welcome anyone to be a part of it.
So there it is – 5 fantastic reasons to attend group classes, and what better place to start than the community at SCFIT. If you want to know more, get in touch today and book your free No Sweat Intro! We can’t wait to meet you.
Adele Wayt
Sources: Atomic Habits (James Clear)