A Runner Goes to Class
My fitness activity of choice is running. Running helps me clear my head. Running is when I brainstorm some of my best ideas. Running energizes me. The bottom line is that I love running!
But in an effort to vary my workout routine, I decided it was time to try a few classes at the gym. So I set off to try cycling, Zumba, and barre and wanted to share my experiences as a runner goes to class with you! I hope you feel inspired to check out a new class or even take a class at all!
The first class I checked out was a cycling class. I hardly even have words for this one because my body was protesting almost the entire class. The hills had my legs shaking and I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to make it to the end of the class. It also didn’t help that due to the loud music I wasn’t able to hear all of the instructions from the instructor so I’m not sure if I was always at the correct RPM’s.
Conclusion: I think I’ll stick to my biking with my beach cruiser down at the beach!
Next up was zumba class. This was just about as much of a cardio workout as the cycle class, but way more fun! Here’s the problem…I think I might have two left feet! Which is really a shame because I love dancing (I watch Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance faithfully) and I wish I was good. But alas, I am not! However, one thing about zumba is that there is probably someone in the room with less coordination than you…so that makes me feel a little bit better. The class I went to featured a great playlist and was fun
Conclusion: As long as my classmates don’t mind that I look a little goofy, I’ll definitely be trying this one again!
Finally, I headed to barre class. I had heard from multiple people that although it might not look like a challenging workout, looks could be deceiving. By about our ten thousandth squat, I had to agree! And two pound weights might look incredibly easy, but when used for so many repetitions, they start to feel like hundred pound weights. Our instructor had a great playlist and I gained a whole new appreciation for ballerinas through this class! Barre is all about tiny movements but when you are doing squats on your tip toes, the movements seems anything but small!
Conclusion: I actually really liked this class and can’t wait to go back! I got a great workout and it pushed me in ways that running doesn’t.
A couple of overall thoughts on my experiences with these classes…there is absolutely no way I would have survived theses classes if I hadn’t had my awesome sister with me! My sister is a great motivator and I’m grateful we were able to go together. I also think the instructor makes a huge difference so I will be trying some of these classes, and a few others, to see if maybe a different instructor would make a difference in my opinion of the class. The bottom line is that I will not be giving up running anytime soon, but it felt good to switch it up a little bit!
What is your favorite class at the gym? Do you have any recommendations of other classes I should try?
20 Comments
Madaline
I took ballet for about 15 years and would LOVE to try one of the Barre classes. I always meant to while I was living in LA I just never got around to it!
jmdenouden@gmail.com
Do they have any barre classes in Rome?
Renee "Nay" Soriano
I’ve always wanted to try Zumba because it’s so close to a dance class which wouldn’t feel like exercise at all!
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club
I do not have a favorite gym class OTHER than my group weight lifting class. I find it makes me stronger and faster with my runs. Thanks for stopping by #wowlinkup
jmdenouden@gmail.com
Group weight lifting?!? I’m intrigued and would love to find one of those near me
The Frugal Exerciser
I think the barre class would be a good mix for you since you get a lot of cardio in from running. I want to go back a take another session of the new type of Pilates class using a megaformer. Thanks for visiting the @wowlinkup
jmdenouden@gmail.com
I’m intrigued by this type of Pilates…just might need to google that!
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Shelly @ Behind Blue Eyes
I love Zumba, I too now have two left feet from a very bad snowboarding accident injury to my ankle. Zumba is by far my favorite workout.
Meeghan
I am always afraid to try classes at the gym -everyone looks so professional, and I am pretty sure I would die. LOL -You inspire me to try something new – just do it!
jmdenouden@gmail.com
Exactly, just do it! I look ridiculous in Zumba but I do it anyways!
Farrah
Thank you for the awesome class reviews! I love group fitness and can’t wait to get backt o class once it fits with my baby’s schedule.
jmdenouden@gmail.com
I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Clotilde/Craftybegonia
Hi, visiting you via the SITS girls. Great post, I am a vegan and also health-conscious. Wish you the best with your blogging and all of your activities.
Savvy
I’d love to try Barre, but they don’t offer it at my gym. I’m kind of an exercise class junkie – my current favs are body attack and turbo kick with an occasional Zumba class thrown it. Over the winter I took a TRX class with suspension straps – it was a tough class. I stopped running several years ago after having too many injuries.
Congrats on your SITS Day.
jmdenouden@gmail.com
You and my sister would get along well! My activity of choice is running…she loves classes!
Jean Lynd
I’m a runner who also lifts weights 2x weekly. I think the barre would suit me. Happy SITS day!
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Farrah
I really want to try a barre class sometime! *-* (I feel you on the squats!) Haven’t had the chance to yet, but my gym does offer Zumba, so I do that whenever I can. :] I’ve been love-hating their boot camps lately (they make me feel like dying, but at the same time, it’s good for me. sigh!).
jmdenouden@gmail.com
I think it might be good for me to go to a boot camp class! But for now barre does the trick!