Fitness fanatics of any skill level may benefit from group classes, personal trainer says

Putting a workout resolution on the book for 2018? Joining a group fitness class could give you the motivational boost you need to make it to the finish line, says a Calgary personal trainer.

Using apps and getting social can help you stay motivated and connect with other gym junkies

Ryan Rumbolt CBC News Posted: Dec 29, 2017 3:23 PM EST | Last Updated: January 2, 2018

A Calgary-based personal trainer says group fitness classes are a great fit for fitness experts and beginners if you really want to get fit in the year ahead. (Getty Images)

The new year is a time to take stock of the past and move forward, and sometimes that takes the form of a lofty resolution.

Twitter Canada said the No. 1 resolution that Canadians set for themselves in 2017 was to go to the gym more, with eating healthier and losing weight close behind at No. 2 and No. 3.

'We are not dying at 60 anymore': Fitness coach pushes senior health as Canadians live longer

If you're thinking about setting down a workout resolution, a Calgary-based personal trainersays joining a group fitness class could give you the motivational boost you need to see your resolution through to the finish line.

"There's an accountability aspect," fitness professional Geoff Starling told the Calgary Eyeopener about group fitness classes.

"You get to know the instructor, they'll notice if you're not there. The rest of the 'regular 9 a.m. Tuesday people' will notice if you're not there."

From Crossfitto spin tobarre to TRX,Starling says there are group fitness options available to peopleofany skill level. There are even a few handy apps to help you track down the right class to fit your needs.

Spin and rowing classes

Starling says spin and rowing classes arewell suited for abeginnerlookingto get into group fitness and find some motivation.

A pulley and strap system, like this TRX system, can be a good alternative to a traditional weight workout. (Supplied/Jeff Woods)

Budding workout warriors set up on astationary bike or rowing machineand "it's up to the instructor to increase or decrease the intensity, kind of keep it interesting and keep it vibrant," Starling said.

Other beginner classes would include yoga, which has all sorts of variations now, including goat yoga.

TRX

People from across Alberta have been lining up for the privilege of doing yoga with goats. (FARRM/Facebook)

Starling says the total resistance exercise system, orTRXfor short, is in the suspension trainer category.

Two straps are anchored to the ground and the system uses gravity and the user's body weight todevelop strength andflexibility.

TRXmovements can be done while training solo but Starlingsays you can incorporateTRXexercisesinto group classeslikespin and yoga.

"Where it really stands out is you can transition between exercises verysmoothlyand very quickly," saidStarling. "So you could do a five-exercise rotation without any need to change equipment, really change position very much and do a variety of movementsfairlyquickly andefficiently."

Crossfit

Crossfitishigh-intensity, interval trainingbuilton thefoundations of Olympicweightlifting, basic gymnastics and bodyweight training.

"Ifyou'rein to Crossfit, you're really into Crossfit," said Starling.

Calgary Crossfitter Emily Abbott gunning for world title

"So you have a strength training component, you have a cardio training component and you have a skills-based component and you kind of combine that all together and put it in a variety of components with time and volume and intensity and you get this quite comprehensive package."

Calgary-based Crossfitter Emily Abbott jumps rope during a trainnig session. She describes Crossfit as "a mixture of endurance, Olympic weightlifting and gymnastics skills, all wrapped into one. (Corey Jenkins)

Barre

WhileCrossfitis high-intensity, Barreislow-impact.

The workout incorporates elements of yoga,Pilatesand dance, and Starling says it'sa good combination of different fitness skills and approaches.

"[It's a] combination of ballet, dance and some lightchoreographywith almost aPilatesfeel, likekindof stretch and balance and yoga almost."

This Barre class pushed CBC Edmonton's Tim Adams and personal trainer Chris Tse to their limits. (CBC Edmonton )

Which class is for me?

Check out an app called Class Passif you'relookingto try a fewdifferent types of classes before deciding which one is for you.

The app lets you try out different kinds of workouts and studios, and Starling says it is a great way to get exposed to group fitness.

If you've never tried this before, especially as an adult, this can be sort of a new and scary experience, so I think the class pass option is great," he said. "You get to try avariety of different things, and you'll know fairly quickly whether something is going to be right for you or not."

There's an app for that

Starling is also an ambassador for another app called Play City, which he describes it as "a dating appthrough sport and exercise" that focuses on building community and relationships.

"It goes in through Facebook, so it creates a profile based on your geographic location. You then add the sports or activities you are interested in and your proficiency with each of those," Starling said.

"It will then pair you with people in your geographical area that are interested in the same activities at the same level of proficenecy."

You can download Play City on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.