Group Dynamics and Exercise

Obviously one of the greatest challenges in getting fit is getting to the club. When you are someone who attempts to work out on your own, you have additional battles to fight. You may be missing out on the most effective program, guidance, motivation, accountability, and even fun when you try to go it solo.

Consider Personal Training, Small Group Training, and Group Exercise. The people that achieve the greatest success, reach their goals safer and faster, are those that are involved in these programs. That, of course, is not to say you can’t do it on your own. It’s just that more people need that direction and connection.

While Personal Training is the ultimate in personal attention and programming, training in small groups (usually 2-6 people) can still offer individual attention and correction.

Group Exercise is a whole other animal. While individual attention may not be as readily available, there are other benefits. When exercise is choreographed to music it makes the experience, dare I say, even more enjoyable. ;-) Actually. research has shown that people push themselves harder when listening to music. A well designed class should accommodate all levels making even the novice feel comfortable in getting started. There also is a big social component to the class setting.

This brings me to the camaraderie and friendships that occur in working out with others. Just this morning one of my class members was asking me where another class member has been. She was worried and hoping that everything was alright. How cool is it to have this person, that you only know through taking Group Exercise together, be concerned for your well being when you’re not in class? (the other member is fine, by the way) Knowing that you’re not alone in this journey is a great motivator and helps keep you accountable.

So, if you are not someone that is highly self motivated or if you feel unsure about what you should be doing, try these options: Personal Training, Small Group Training, and/or Group Exercise. They can make the difference of you reaching your goals or not.

FYI: If you can sit through the commercial, here’s a news piece on one of the Group Exercise classes that I teach. Click here to view. I love my job.

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Survival Is NOT Enough

I’ve been thinking about how many people are satified just to survive. Club members that you see doing the same thing day in, day out and they never seem to lose the weight or progress in abilities. I know that there are challanges/difficulties that can hold us back. Sometimes they are greater than others, but they’re always there in some way, shape, or form. My concern is that those people become trapped in a frame of mind that locks them into mediocrity. Whether we’re talking about fitness, business, or life, some people seem to set their ceilings too low.

How long have you been plugging away and not really getting any closer to your goal? Have you given up on achieving it and are accepting not getting any worse as being good enough?

It’s about your mindset. Reevaluate your goals. Think about what it is that you truly want to achieve, not simply what is acceptable. How do you move forward? Well, first you have to care enough to step out of comfort zone of “same old, same old”. Does losing the weight mean enough to you to do something higher intensity than just coming in and walking on the treadmill? (not that that isn’t OK to start there, but you need to build to doing more) Analyze your obstacles. Is it lack of information, accountablity, time, or support that’s holding you back? Define it and take the steps to change it. If you need help, get it. What is it worth to reach your dreams? It starts with a little extra effort, a little extra planning, a little extra believing that you can achieve what it is that you truly want.

Amazing things can happen with a little extra effort, but you have to care enough to break out of the status quo. Watch this video for a little extra motivation! 212 the extra degree

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