Our group fitness classes in Nyack NY are always a ton of fun, and here are some useful tips to help you prepare for your first class with us!
The entire Rising Legends community loves group fitness classes for a reason, and there’s no denying how our awesome classes can truly be life changing for so many newcomers and even veteran fitness enthusiasts.
For a lot of people, group classes are their favorite way to exercise—and we’ve personally witnessed countless success stories of people who’ve improved their entire well-being by incorporating a consistent group fitness routine.
But look, we totally get it if you’re a bit nervous about joining your first group fitness class, and you should know that we’re an inviting, non-judgmental gym that’s always been beginner friendly.
That’s why we’ve developed this article oriented around preparing you for your first group fitness class at our Nyack NY location, so we’ve got you covered with the below 8 tips!
1. Research Your Group Fitness Class Online & Watch YouTube Videos
Although the internet isn’t always the best place to receive health advice, it can be a very useful tool when you’re preparing for your first group fitness classes.
You can easily look up classes online and watch a preview via YouTube, which can go a long way to help you know what to expect when you come to the gym. Although actually attending a group class with real classmates and an instructor is an entirely different ballgame, watching a preview before you go can absolutely be beneficial.
You can also read articles that breakdown specific movements and class exercises, and this can include group fitness class reviews that are also very popular online. And just remember that there’s always an added in-person element if you get turned off by what you find online about a group class, so don’t necessarily write off a class just because of what you find on the Web.
But at the very least, doing some online research can give you a basic expectation that can go a long way before your big debut!
2. Come To The Rising Legends Gym & Watch A Class In Action
It’s also a good idea to simply check out a group fitness class while you’re exercising on your own or with a personal trainer here at the Rising Legends facility, because simply watching a class will give you a great idea of what you can expect when you decide to attend.
One thing that’s important to remember is that certain exercises and body movements might appear easier or harder at first glance, so this tip is more about simply understanding the setup and general format of a class to see if it’s something you’d be interested in joining.
What you’ll likely notice is that all of our classes cater to people of various fitness levels, so there inevitably will be great options for you and your unique workout needs.
3. Arrive Early & Tell Your Instructor You’re New
If you’re new to group workouts, you shouldn’t shuffle in at the last minute and find your spot while the exercising has already begun. That’s just not the right way to kick things off!
What you should do instead is arrive early so you have an opportunity to speak with your instructor and let them know that you’re a newcomer, because this will give them an extra heads-up to keep an eye on your form.
And you really should never feel embarrassed about being new to a group fitness class, especially here at Rising Legends. Our instructors will never call you out for being new, because we’ll simply pay extra attention to you and provide any necessary assistance throughout the workout.
You should also let our instructors know about any physical limitations or past injuries, because this will make it easier for us to suggest alternative options before and during the class.
4. Actively Listen To Verbal Instructions & Double-Check Your Form In The Mirror
A lot of group fitness newcomers will make the mistake of looking at themselves in the mirror too much and forgetting to listen to the instructor’s cues. It’s like this obscure, non-listening zone that we sometimes slip into when we’re in the middle of an intense exercise—but don’t worry, this is totally normal!
Just remember that a big part of joining group fitness classes is to receive expert instructions from our coaches, so you should always be listening carefully whenever they’re talking.
This is particularly important for newcomers, because every specific tip can go a long way to assist you in making necessary changes to your form. You’ll want to learn proper form right from the beginning of your fitness journey, so your instructor’s voice should be your top priority while you’re sporadically double-checking your form in a nearby mirror.
5. Choose Minimal Equipment & Light Weights To Focus On Movement Quality
It’s always a good move for group fitness newcomers to start out with lighter weights during their first few classes. It’s possible that you could potentially handle more weight just fine, but you’ll still want to focus more on proper form and correct positioning while you’re initially learning new movements.
Most group fitness classes feature dozens of various exercises, so it’s likely that at least some of them will be new to you. That’s why getting a hang of the flow and form of new moves should be your top priority over increasing weights.
This is something that you can ask your instructor about before class begins, and you shouldn’t forget that sometimes you’ll only need your bodyweight to maximize your workout!
6. Don’t Compare Yourself To Classmates & Be Ok With Being A Beginner
One of the most important tips that we can give group fitness newcomers is to not go too hard too quickly—and just remember that even the rockstars at the front of the class were once beginners.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a fitness beginner, and having an open mind will help you out a lot while you’re beginning to progress during the initial stages of your fitness journey. So, don’t forget that you have a ton of progress and growth in front of you!
Be sure to focus on congratulating yourself for your efforts in joining group fitness classes, and don’t overdo any movements if they start to feel painful. We’d never recommend quitting when the going gets tough, but you should always listen to your body and take breaks as needed.
7. Appreciate Your Group Fitness Community & Join The Party!
Although no one will ever force you into talking to anyone during group fitness classes, introducing yourself can help you enjoy the class and remain committed. And if you introduce yourself to a “regular” and tell them you’re new, they’ll more than likely look after you because we’ve all been there.
You simply can’t beat the community aspect of group fitness classes, and this is especially in comparison to working out on your own. Your classmates will motivate you to get better, which can be huge for your overall accountability and fitness journey results!
8. Book Your Next Group Fitness Class Prior To Leaving Your First Class
You need to be consistent if you want to get the most out of group fitness classes. Although you don’t necessarily have to exercise in group settings every time you go to the gym, you should try to attend around 2-5 classes per week—depending upon class intensity and format.
Our advice is to book your next class right after your first class, and try to keep up this habit after each class so you’re excited and looking forward to coming back for more fitness fun!
Contact The Rising Legends Team To Learn More About Our Group Fitness Classes In Nyack NY!
There’s a lot to love about group fitness classes, and our class schedule is packed with awesome options to match everyone’s workout preferences and styles.
We understand how it can be tough to be a newcomer at any gym, and that’s why we’re incredibly proud to be one of the most beginner-friendly gyms in Nyack NY.
Our team of fitness coaches, personal trainers and nutrition specialists are here to set you up on a fitness journey that you’ll thoroughly enjoy, and our legendary community is full of awesome people that we know you’ll love getting to know.
We look forward to seeing you at the gym!