Group Therapy...Stepping it up

I happen to love Group Exercise, but that wasn't always the case. The first time I took a step class, I left in tears. It was so foreign to me. I was so confused. What is "basic right"? What is "V-step"?? For goodness sake, what is a "Whirley Bird?!?".

After the initial humiliation wore off (oh, about 5 years later), I decided to give step another try, and I was so glad that I did. There are beginning classes for even the most two-left-footed person. Once you learn the basic moves, it becomes much, MUCH easier, and lots more fun. This is true of many group exercise classes- not just step. These days there's BOSU, kick box, dance, Body Pump, Sculpt, Pilates, Boot Camp, Hula Hoop (HEABs- That would do wonders for our Wii Fit scores!)...the list of classes offered is as long as my arm. For example, here is a link to the Santa Monica Spectrum club, but even local YMCAs often offer a variety of classes!




Any type of group exercise class is a trip on so many levels. You tend to see same folks (I call them "The Usual Suspects."), and the group develops a personality of its own. For some odd reason, everyone tends stand in the same exact location of the room, for every single class. You will never, ever see the front row student relocated to the back row (unless she has a hugh jass zit on her nose).

Here is a true story for you: Once I walked into a cardio interval class early and stood alone in a large room, waiting for class to start. A moment later a woman entered, walked straight up to me, and without mincing words, she informed me that I was "In her spot". Thinking that I had heard incorrectly, I stammered, "Uh, excuse me??" She factually repeated, "You are In. My. Spot" in the tone that gave the impression that I was either deaf or foreign. After a few seconds of stunned silence, I blinked a couple of times, then looked to the left and looked to the right of my feet, taking in the bizarre situation, and look back up at this otherwise normal-seeming person. I decided it wisest not to argue with the clinically insane and took one large step to the right, where I remained until class began. Honest. I don't lie about these things.

On a more positive note, I just LOVE a class with tons of energy. The teacher gives off a vibe, and the students pick up on it,. They in turn, feed it back to the instructor, and to each other. From there, it just escalates. It's a bit hard to describe unless you've experienced it for yourself. But it's palpable.

Saturday, I went to one of my very favorite step classes at Gold's Gym. I've been taking this class sporadically for about 5 years. The teacher is Michael and he's amazing. I will not lie- it's a HARD class. Not only is it cardio-vascularly challenging (is that a word?) , but the choreography is tough too. There are lots of turns and jumps, chasses, mambos, half-moons, helicopters, freeways, scissors...oh the names just go on and on. From a perpiration point-of-view, it is not quite the sweat-splattered-on-the-mirror-fest of Mark's infamous 24-Hour Kickbox class... but it's a doozy. And so. much. fun! The music is a huge part of it- and Michael picks current tunes that are upbeat and make you WANT to shake your groove thang. Did I mention that time flies when you're having fun?

This photo looks like the heavens parted and the angels are singing, can you hear them? There's the vibretto "aaaahhhhhhhhh"?

What I particularly love to observe is the pure joy experienced by some of the students. They are hootin' and hollarin', waving their hands in the air (like they just don't care.) People who obviously (no, really...OBVIOUSLY) have no dance background are shaking their bootays and shimmying with reckless abandon. Here's the best part...they are SMILING! This is how I know that exercise is, in fact a drug. It's MY drug of choice to be sure!

Gold's Gym...My idea of a desert oasis :-)

One of the reasons that I go to these difficult classes is that I feel that it helps my BRAIN as well as my body. There have been recent studies that back me up on this, but honestly, I can't be bothered to find them on Google Scholar right now. Something about exercise being correlated to decreased cognitive decline as one ages, yada yada. You get the idea. For me, it's a challenge for my mind to try to process the complicated steps. Predictably, the more I do it, the better I get. Meanwhile, if I'm struggling to learn the moves, it's just THAT much more of a physical challenge because I'm constantly rushing to catch up to everyone else. Even if I look like a dork, it's a win-win! The fact that I'm covered in sweat proves it!

LOVE THIS! Cracks me up- Wacky Gold's gym! :-D

Another reason that group classes are cool is that you feel like you belong to...well, a group. Was that stating the obvious? It's that camaraderie thing. Once you have gone to a particular class for a while, there is something comforting about seeing the same faces (assuming you actually LIKE the Usual Suspects) and it's nice when they welcome you back after an absence. There is also an odd yet gratifying feeling about doing the exact same moves as one another, at the exact same time (hopefully, anyway). I suppose it's not unlike being a part of a fun, yet slightly uncoordinated dance troupe.

While not for everyone, I think that group classes can really open up a whole world of possibilities for people who might be in a training rut, or just want to mix up their workouts. Think: Cross-Training. Plus if you are at all social, it's nice to chat and catch up with friends that you make along the way. The bonus: you are surrounded by people who are like-minded fitness enthusiasts...it's all good.

So what about you? I know that Hayley is into groupX (she teaches!) and so is Charlotte. In fact Erika is a dance instructor and Averie a yoga instructor! Have you ever dabbled in group exercise or do you prefer to fly solo? Would you consider taking a class just to change things up a bit? If you are a teacher, what do you love/hate about classes? I'd love to hear your thoughts.