Tips For Having a Great Group Fitness Session

The beauty of exercising to music with a group and being led by a group fitness instructor is that you tend to work harder and longer than you would on your own. That's good -- but not if you overdo it. Bouncing and straining to keep up with the class can lead to injuries. A group fitness session is not a competition. Go at your own pace. Allow your strength and flexibility to build gradually.


Watch Your Form

Good form brings better results and fewer problems. Tuck in your pelvis a little so your lower back is elongated. This protects your lower back when standing. Make sure your knee is aligned over your ankle, and no farther forward, when doing a lunge. Don't do moves that require you to lock or hyperextend your knees or elbows. Remember to monitor your breathing and intensity.

Look Straight Ahead

Looking down at your feet can cause neck or back pain. Pain has no place in a group fitness session or any other fitness activity. You're overdoing it if you're feeling the burn.

Wear the Proper Shoes

Don't wear just any pair of athletic shoes to a group fitness session. Running shoes and tennis shoes, for instance, don't provide the cushioning and support you need. Look for shoes that cushion the ball of the foot, with good arch support that minimizes pronation (inward rotation) of the foot. Cross-training shoes work well and tend to provide proper support.