Benefits of Group Exercise and Personal Training
by Kristen M. Jurcsak
Published: February 2010
We’ve all heard the saying there’s safety in numbers. What about motivation in numbers? I know I’m not the only one who is more motivated when I have plans to exercise with others. Personal fitness and training goals aside, I don’t want to let my workout buddies down. I make sure I am on time, put forth a positive attitude, and push myself harder. So, how do some fitness experts feel about the benefits of group exercise?
Capital District YMCA
“Socialization and companionship” were the first words Lori Donato, group exercise coordinator at the Southern Saratoga YMCA, said when asked what she felt attracted members to group exercise at the YMCA. “Everyone comes here to exercise, but for those who choose to participate in one of our many group classes, the workout component is often secondary to the social aspect.” With time in such short supply these days, it’s easy to talk ourselves out of that daily trip to the gym. It’s much harder to drive by if you know friends are expecting you to be there. If you’re used to facing your fitness routine alone, experiment by adding a group class once a week. Choose a class with an activity you know you enjoy, or try something completely new – you just might find you’ll like it even better than your old stand-by. Changing up your routine also encourages cross training, something Lori feels people don’t do enough of. After a few classes, you will recognize familiar faces and before long, familiar faces become friends motivating and encouraging one another.
The Capital District YMCA has something for everyone at their 12 locations. From the high-impact classes like spinning and zumba, to the mind/body benefits of yoga and Pilates, the Y targets all the three components of fitness – cardiovascular fitness, muscular-skeletal fitness, and flexibility. The Y also offers programs geared to prepare members for a specific fitness goal or event. “We offer triathlon training for the Y-sponsored triathlons; Couch to 5K, preparing new runners to complete their first race; the training groups for runners with long-distance goals; boot camps; and an Active Older Adult program,” Lori explained. “The YMCA also provides wellness education through Loose to Win, where members work with a nutritionist, combining positive changes in diet and exercise.” Visit: cdymca.org.
Upstate NY Boot Camp Challenge
Boot Camp Challenge is a complete group fitness program with a start and an end. A “camp” is a team of people who commit to the program for an entire session. Friendships and camaraderie quickly develop and the group dynamic motivates everyone. From day one, instructors work on team building through activities like partner exercises, relay races and drills. The instructors also help campers train for 5K races, marathons and triathlons, among other events. “There is constant client-to-client motivation in boot camp,” according to Melissa Grattan, owner of Upstate NY Boot Camp Challenge. “Campers hold themselves accountable and have a ton of support from their trainer and each other. Therefore, they see amazing results.”
Most people join boot camp to lose weight; however, the program is not marketed for weight loss. Boot camp is a “get fit” program. Trainers monitor an athlete’s overall progress by conducting fitness testing and recording body measurements on the first and last day. Participants track and improve their nutrition by keeping a food journal. “Our focus is for everyone in the group to adopt a healthy lifestyle. We do not weigh our clients and encourage them to stay off the scale. Instead, we try to change their thinking by teaching them what is going on inside their bodies. Although there’s no denying it, we’ve had lots of inches melt away!”
All instructors hold a Personal Trainer Certification and have completed National Boot Camp Challenge Training. Three options to all exercises are offered, safely accommodating the beginner, intermediate and advanced exerciser. “Clients love Boot Camp Challenge because it is not just a random class. It is a packaged, results-driven program that all camp members complete together.” If you’re inspired, Boot Camp Challenge registration is open for Saratoga Springs at the National Museum of Dance and at the Schenectady Jewish Community Center in Niskayuna. Other camps are also available. Visit: makeitfittraining.com.
Capital District Adventure Boot Camp for Women
You can tell from what’s been said so far that fitness experts across the board insist that lifestyle change is the key to achieving and maintaining results. But change is often intimidating when we try to make a go of it alone. Elizabeth Cardoso of Capital District Adventure Boot Camp agrees. “Adventure Boot Camp promotes a lifestyle change that needs to happen for our members to succeed during the program and beyond,” explains Elizabeth. In a close-knit boot camp team, participants learn the skills to make healthy changes together. “The camp is geared to offer the benefits of having a personal trainer in an environment of camaraderie with others who share similar goals. Along with committing to a healthier eating lifestyle, members can expect great results such as a three-to-five-percent reduction in body fat, a five-to-ten-pound weight loss, and a one-to-three-inch reduction in the midsection. They feel results both mentally and physically and become more confident.”
Boot camp brings focus to workouts. How many times can you remember going to the gym with no plan or goal in mind? The Capital District Adventure Boot Camp for Women gets people to accomplish as much as they can within their fitness level. Like all instructors, Elizabeth keeps routines fresh. She uses minimal equipment so her campers are doing a lot of activities in a simplified way. Getting “back to basics” and using an athlete’s own body weight as resistance instead of a machine is an effective way to train. Because the same group stays together throughout a session, the instructor gets to know each camper and their ability level. Each workout is designed to challenge individuals so the group succeeds as a whole. Outside of camp, many members become friends and set additional fitness goals such as training for a 5K run, triathlon or marathon. It all goes to show that the “buddy system” works when it comes to fitness! Visit: cdbootcamp.com.
Malta Pilates Center
Flexibility is the fitness component most of us neglect. I have to believe working our core is next. Let’s face it, most of us aren’t naturally blessed with strong, toned core muscles, so we cardio-load our workouts. This is where Pilates-expert Diane Lynch can help us become better cross-trained athletes. The Malta Pilates Center offers both individual instruction and group classes, but Diane feels that group exercise lets students know that everyone has individual strengths and weaknesses, “Group classes allow students to laugh about their weaknesses and applaud each other on their strengths.” Separate classes are offered for novices and more experienced students. For beginners, Diane teaches an eight-week “learning” mat session, designed for students who have never done Pilates. After completing the session, students can safely and confidently move into a more advanced class.
In addition to group mat classes, Diane also runs group equipment classes. “The group machine classes have a high degree of expected attendance. There are only three students per class. The student owns a spot and gives notice if they cannot attend. So these students see each other once a week. It’s a motivator to get out on a cold wintry night because at least two other people are looking for them.”
Most students come to Pilates with the goal of feeling better. Some come at the recommendation of their doctors because they have tight muscles and need low-impact exercise. Others have low back weakness and need to strengthen their core to support their back. Some are athletes looking to cross train. “The majority of students are just regular people who are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired,” says Diane. “I think the biggest motivator is the results the students begin to see and especially feel.” Visit: maltapilatescenter.com.
Kristen Jurcsak (kmjurcsak@alum.rpi.edu) is a freelance writer living in Glenville. Kristen enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle that includes skiing, swimming, running, and cycling, and can’t wait for springtime ski adventures!
