Dumb Fitness Question: Will fitness classes alone reach my goal?

0 Shares

I am on a quest to be healthy and eat better. I’m also getting into fitness and my goals are to tone up and lose weight. If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you will see pictures I take almost every single time I go to my gym, because it helps me stay motivated when I share it with you.

I am starting this new series that I will try to post every single Friday called “Dumb Fitness Question” or “DFQ.” I know, there is no such thing as a stupid question, but when I go to the gym, I feel like everyone knows things I don’t. Then, I remember that other people – beginners like me – have the same questions. So, to make you feel better (and hopefully answer the same questions you might have) I am asking my dumb questions. Every week another expert (like running coaches, nutritionists, personal trainers, etc) will answer my question for you!

Will group classes alone help me reach my goal?

Today’s Expert: Alexandra Williams, MA, is half of the twin duo that writes the FunAndFit.org blog. She has been in the fitness industry for almost 30 years, writing, presenting, teaching and editing! She and her twin sister Kymberly are FitFluential ambassadors. Alexandra currently is a contributing writer to IDEA Fitness Journal and instructor at UC Santa Barbara. To optimize your fitness space, you can use services from Gym Equipment Removals for a seamless setup or rearrangement.

Dear Alexandra, currently I am doing “Body Pump” 2x a week, zumba 2x a week and the other days of the week I am doing both cardio (running on treadmill) and weights. Sometimes I just want to do fun classes like Zumba and Body Pump instead of trying to figure out how to do the weights myself. Will fitness classes alone be enough?

From Alexandra:

For most people, if it isn’t fun, they won’t do it. So if you find the idea of learning to use the weights by yourself daunting, then chances are high you won’t do it. You say you enjoy group strength training classes such as BodyPump, so I’d encourage you to stick with that. However, since you love the dance-based cardio classes, I’d encourage you to try QiFORZE, which is also a group strength class that has a small element of dance and a huge amount of fun and challenging moves that will help you with your goal. Bottom line: You will burn more calories when you’re at rest if you stick with the combination of cardio and resistance training, which we talk about in detail in our post No Hulk! No Bulk!

You wonder whether fitness classes alone will help you reach your goals – probably not. But it’s not based on whether you use the weights on your own or not; it’s based on how many calories you are expending versus how many you’re taking in. In short, what are you eating? If you were already at your weight and BMI goal, you would be in weight maintenance, and a focus on exercise would probably be sufficient. But since you’re in weight loss mode, you need to change your eating habits. Again, we have a post (we’re just that helpful) about the differences between weight loss and weight maintenance that even has a handy chart to guide you. You may also look into weight loss services in Oklahoma City, OK and consult experts.

Have you considered getting a personal trainer for a few sessions, to help teach you proper form and technique for weights (or machines and other resistance equipment)?

To sum up, I don’t think your solution is to be found in whether or not you learn how to use the strength training equipment. You are very clear about your love of group fitness, so stick with what you love. Just add the nutrition component. And maybe add more intensity yo my exercise and use the new supplements you can learn about by reading the Phenq reviews. Something to shock your system out of its plateau.

Thank you Alexandra!

I hope her answer helped you as much as it helped me!

My take away? I need to continue to focus on my eating habits. I’ve been using My Fitness Pal app and LOVE it, but need to be consistent and use it more. I am also considering hiring a personal trainer who utilizes the best app for personal trainers to make the most of my fitness journey. That sounds like the perfect Christmas gift, don’t you think? I really want someone that will push me to my limit while watching me to make sure I don’t hurt myself. Considering your fitness goals and the desire for a new approach, you can sell treadmill to make room for different exercise options or equipment.

0 Shares

Comments

Sara @SensiblySara says

November 17, 2012 at 10:57 pm

I am super excited to start reading these DFQ’s! I have been eating healthier, but not seeing a drop on the scale – even with all my walking, so I appreciate today’s post! Thanks!

- Annie @ Mama Dweeb says
  
  November 19, 2012 at 4:18 pm
  
  Sara, what are you eating? Cause I was eating healthier and was gaining weight. Then, I started to use the app “My Fitness Pal” and realized that even what I thought was healthy I was eating too much of. Then, I stopped losing weight and realized I wasn’t eating ENOUGH. It is so weird.
  
  - Sara @SensiblySara says
    
    November 19, 2012 at 4:24 pm
    
    Lots of fruits & veggies, usually an egg for breakfast, salad with a little dressing for lunch most of the time, and then dinner varies – but broccoli, ham & cheese casserole, taco salad, easy to make stuff.
    
    I really need to download the My Fitness Pal app, but I don’t have any space left on my phone. (SO ready for an upgrade!!)
    
    Someone told me to increase my protein intake. I’ve also been told to drink super-dooper cold water as soon as possible to get your body started (I already do that).
    
Tehila says

November 18, 2012 at 11:37 pm

Thank you for your inspiring words! I find as a mom of four young children that I simply don’t get the time or energy to go out of home for group fitness classes. I use Leslie Sansone’s Work at Home workout which is a great compromise. It actually works, and I like it more than any other program I’ve used.

- Annie @ Mama Dweeb says
  
  November 19, 2012 at 4:20 pm
  
  Thank you for that tip Tehila! I really love home DVD workouts and that one sounds awesome. I want to get some dumbells too for home workouts 🙂
  
Robin says

November 19, 2012 at 5:26 am

Here goes….

I just lost a TON of weight. I did it by taking Zumba classes 4 to 5 times a week and just watching what I eat. I am a fairly healthy eater, but when I want cheesecake – I am going to have cheesecake. I say yes, you can reach your goal with classes alone, but maybe the higher impact ones like Body Pump or Zumba.

- Annie @ Mama Dweeb says
  
  November 19, 2012 at 4:20 pm
  
  I agree, the classes have to be making you WORK. I am off to “Turbo Kick” tonight to see what that is like. I hear it is like Tae-Bo 🙂
  
- AlexandraFunFit says
  
  November 19, 2012 at 4:30 pm
  
  Congrats on your weight loss. It’s obvious from your comment that you are a hard worker. And the trick to burning lots of kcals is to go higher intensity. High impact would be boot camp, Zumba, sports drills, etc. I’m glad dance-based is so popular again!
  
Catherine says

November 19, 2012 at 1:03 pm

DFQ is a great idea. I love Zumba. Right now scheduling gym time around the classes I like is the easiest and most full-proof way to make sure I actually make it to the gym. Although I do like weights and other cardio so that helps.

- Annie @ Mama Dweeb says
  
  November 19, 2012 at 4:21 pm
  
  Thank you SO MUCH Catherine! I agree, I have to schedule my time around the classes and that is what gets me to the gym at all some days 🙂
  
Emani W. says

November 28, 2012 at 8:46 pm

I was on the same quest to fitness. I’ve found that it takes more than fitness classes to reach the goal you’ve mentioned. It’s about what you do on your own. Eating right, and taking care of yourself are important too! I’ve stuck to those goals and I’ve been doing fine! Good luck on your quest!

- Annie @ Mama Dweeb says
  
  December 1, 2012 at 4:55 pm
  
  Emani, you are totally right! I didn’t notice any results until I started to eat right and sleep better. It is the same thing the other way around too – when I was eating totally awesome I didn’t really notice results until I started to get more active. BOTH are very important.