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If I like fitness classes to add some spark to my workout, which one is best?

Ahhh — Fitness classes. Not my favorite way to work out but I see how the group atmosphere can help some. I only instruct people to ADD classes to their workout. Since they are made for the masses and contain no strength training (yes, even the ones using weights are not strength training!) you should only consider fitness classes as your cardio. So use these in ADDITION to your strength workout and your individual cardio.

The class that I suggest to people over and over again is Ride or spinning. The reason for this is it is efficient (why do for 2 hours what you can get done in 1 hour). It is a good, heart driving workout and cardio is called cardio because it builds your heart and lungs.

So put some effort into it and actually work at it. You are not there to sit pretty on the bike and not sweat. Nor are you there to take 2 classes back to back because you don’t put enough effort into it in the first place. Trust me, one is enough if you apply yourself. It irritates me to see people doing 2 in a row and then slacking in both.

While we are on about exertion and effort, that is how you get better — you WORK AT IT.

Fitness is not laying in the lazy boy easy chair, believe me, we all wish it was!

So when you ask me what class is the best, my answer is one where you REALLY WORK AT IT!!! That is the best class for you.

Cardio is what burns fat — plain and simple

Calories in – Calories out = Pounds gained

So you need to reverse the equation by creating a calorie deficit by taking in LESS than you put out. Sounds pretty simple. So why is it so hard?

You have no time, yes, I hear that at least once a day.

So here is the no bull cardio workout that will make your personal trainer proud next time you see them! Do this EVERY SINGLE DAY allowing yourself one day of rest. I tell my personal training clients that to get best results they should take ONE REST DAY A WEEK! The rest day is the day that you wimp out when you are too lazy during the week to work out. So don’t PLAN a rest day on the weekend and then wimp out during the week — that would be 2 rest days.

Here is the workout:

30 minutes on the treadmill, split into 2 sets of 15 minutes. (Elliptical also works but many people cheat it by not working hard enough. So use a treadmill for the first few weeks to make sure you get how hard to work. You should be working HARD which means sweating!)

10 minutes of jumping rope broken into 2 or 3 sets depending on your fitness level.

So you alternate between the rope and the treadmill and in 40 minutes you have had a good tough cardio workout and come on!! Including shower you are done in under an hour so please — you can’t do this???? Of course you can!!!

How fit are you? Well it is a good idea to check yourself once in a while. I see a lot of people at the gym here in Douglasville who despite working out never seem to make dramatic changes or get the results they want.

Setting a benchmark to measure your fitness results is one way to see how if your efforts are actually paying off.

I am not trying to be harsh but showing up is not enough. Spending time chit chatting with your friends is not working out. Having some personal time to visit is great but don’t count chit chat as workout time. You did NOT spend an hour at the gym if you yapped with your friends for half that time. That means you worked out for 30 minutes or less.

Now, on the EFFORT. Do you put your ALL into your workout. I ask this because I see people coming out of fitness classes without a drop of sweat on them. And I see people take more than one fitness class back to back. Both of these things tell me that your effort may not be all that it could be. If you finish a fitness class or your workout and you are still “fresh” you are slacking — sorry to say but plain and simple — you are slacking.

Now, here are a few ways to check your fitness level.

How many pushups can you do? In one minute? At all?

Pick a method and measure it. Find your fitness benchmark method and stick with it. Measure again in a month.

How many crunches can you do before you need to rest?

Can you hold a plank position (pushup position either on your hands or forearms) for at least one minute? How long?

Some of these are just a few of the ways to measure your fitness level. Along with my personal favorite of a 3 mile run. How fast? Come on, let’s get serious!

I write this as I feel refreshed from the shower after a cardio challenge with one of my clients. We had a challenge to see whose calorie count would be higher in an hour of cardio. Well I did win with 1500 but he was close with 1250. It shows that you can really burn it up when you want.

But the true key to fitness is to burn it up on a very regular basis. Ideally every day. I am a big supporter of people doing some form of workout every day because it really ingrains it as a habit. And having a fitness habit is very important. And truly the only way to dramatically change your body and your fitness level.

Now while I am touching on cardio, let’s talk a bit about fitness classes and group training. As you may very well know, I am not an advocate of a cookie cutter approach because fitness is a personal pursuit and you do better when things are personalized for you.

Have you ever bought a custom made suit? Did you notice how it fit so perfectly because it was made just for you. And of course you know why brides are so beautiful. Because their dresses are made just for them. So just like tailored clothes, personal training and personalized fitness is ALWAYS better than something for the masses. So if you are taking fitness classes or doing group fitness and not finding the results you want, then it is time to consider a personalized approach.

Shout out to my friend who did the cardio challenge with me this morning. He is also an amazing example of how a commitment to a fit lifestyle can transform your life and your body!! See you at the gym!!

It takes a lot to get motivated to change your body. Believe me, I understand that!! And sometimes it takes a very severe kick in the pants to really get you going on changing. When I was in Marine Corps boot camp there was a whole program designed to enforce this change in you. And of course it did. My body changed, my mind changed, my attitude changed and my spirit changed. I gained the confidence to know that I can do anything I want. It just is a matter of doing the work for it.

And I want you to have that confidence. Knowing that you can get fit. knowing that you can change your body forever. I crave for you to have that confidence in your fitness routine.

And that is why I want you to work hard to get it. As a personal trainer, I push you. I can’t do it for you. I have no magic bullet. But I do have the program to get you to do it.

I have had a couple of people recently ask me about a guarantee. Like if they don’t lose the weight, then will they get their money back. HA! Sorry to poke fun! BUT YOU HAVE TO WORK!!! You can’t just pay, decide you are too lazy and then get a refund because “it doesn’t work”. My method WORKS when you DO IT! And yes you have to show up, you have to work out, you have to do the cardio, you have to drop out the greasy fast food but you will be making a great body for yourself. But you have to participate.

Now, you get the idea that you have to put in the time and you have to work. Now let’s talk about making the best use of your time. I have been a trainer here in Douglasville for almost 4 years and I have 15 years in the Armed Services before that so I know how to change a person’s body. And while certain things work for the masses, the best thing for you is to do things that work for your unique circumstances.

So while you may enjoy a fitness class and I think fitness classes can be great for a cardio workout. And Douglasville has lots of places with a great variety of fitness classes. That said, I ONLY think fitness classes are for cardio. You will not get the best results for you from something made for everyone — OBVIOUSLY!! So if you love doing a class, consider it your cardio and make it IN ADDITION to your strength training routine.

Your weight training workout should be CUSTOM designed to your strengths and weaknesses and goals. Have no idea what you need? Well that is where personal training comes in. Whether you do personal training with me or with someone else, ensure that your routine is custom designed (does your trainer have a workout written down for you and have specific exercises that are for your needs and/or limitations?) Also, ensure that your trainer is certified with a standard that allows you to know that they know their stuff. For more about personal training certifications and board certification, click here.