Have you ever wondered why group fitness classes are very gender divided? There’s always a higher ratio of women to men in every class, and most group fitness instructors are female. This is odd considering some of the most popular franchised fitness brands (like Zumba, Les Mills, and Pilates) were created by males. So why is it that women not only flock to group fitness classes but stay consistent with keeping that as their primary fitness option?
Group fitness classes offer a daily fitness experience in a fun, positive, and memorable way that inspires mental and physical change in a meaningful way for participants.
Here are 5 reasons why women succeed in group fitness classes.
1. Group fitness classes make exercising fun
This is one of the primary reasons women succeed with group fitness. It’s when they find classes they enjoy doing, that they look forward to attending, and can maintain consistently.
Whether it’s the music, instructor, group of women, or activity, if a woman finds it fun and effective, she’s more likely to stick to an active lifestyle of physical activity.
2. Variety and options for daily movement
There are women that dread the thought of walking into a gym and not knowing what to do. It can be embarrassing and some women feel uncomfortable with the other people present and watching. The thought of walking or running on a treadmill may seem ideal at first but becomes boring after a while, thus many people stop participating in physical activity.
Group fitness adds variety to many women’s fitness routines and can incorporate a balanced approach to fitness, especially if it incorporates cardiovascular, endurance, strength, and mobility exercises, which is perfect at times when they may feel uninspired to complete these fitness elements on their own. Also, most women have busy schedules, and fitness classes are conveniently an hour or less making it easy to fit in a work out.
How many women go home from work and do push-ups and burpees on their living room floor by themselves? Probably a very, very small percentage (that have an athletic training schedule or enjoy solo work outs).
3. Social support and empowering environment
There is community and being part of something much larger when women participate in group fitness classes. It’s a positive environment because many women don’t know much about exercise or how to reach their fitness goals, so it’s a welcome call to women of all ages, backgrounds, and physical capabilities to experience fitness, all with a common goal in mind and without judgment.
Women are very supportive and encouraging of one another and are often socialize with one another before and after class. They’re also inspired by the passion and energy that radiates from one another, therefore it’s more motivation to challenge and push themselves.
4. Guidance and support from the instructor
Group fitness classes take the guesswork out of exercise because the routine and exercises are already planned for you. Women feel more assured knowing that they’re being taught and instructed by a certified fitness professional. An amazing group fitness instructor will provide a positive experience, motivate, educate, and inspire women.
5. Accountability to continue participating
It doesn’t matter how busy women are because they know their group fitness class is on a specific date and time for probably less than an hour in duration. This helps them create a routine and maintain consistency. Even better is that instructors and other female participants do notice when another participant isn’t present, so when they ask each other “Oh, where were you? You weren’t here last week!”. Women will definitely know they were noticed and missed. When women sign up for classes and have a commitment to a group environment, they are more likely to maintain accountability and continue participating.
Want to experience a positive and fun community group fitness experience? Live in Scarborough, Markham, or Pickering?
Try Strength & Cardio Dance Party, our 1-hour female fitness class to the best beats of latin, soca, dancehall, and hip-hop music. Your first class is always free!
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