Test Driving Your Fitness Class

I love running. I love being outside, feeling the breeze on my face, hearing the birds welcome in spring and seeing the progress of the trees and flowers as they ome into bloom.  But there are days when outside activities are not as fun and for many people these days string into long, cold winter or long, hot summer months. 

 During those times we are forced to make a choice.  Do we forgo our fitness routine, spending the months sitting on the couch, knowing that we will have to get back in shape when the weather is better or do we find an alternate plan?

 Almost fifteen years ago I chose the latter.  I decided that it is much easier to stay in shape than to get back in shape.  With that simple decision, I decided the best thing I could do for my fitness would be to join a gym.  Though I spend less time in there when the weather is perfect than I do in the cold of winter or the heat of the summer, I like knowing that I have an alternative.

 Making a decision on a gym was easy for me.  I needed a gym with an indoor pool. As a triathlete the pool was the selling point but for my friends who are not triathletes, classes are the key.  They need to know not just that a certain class is offered but that they will like the other people in the class with them and more importantly be able to relate to the instructor.

 Throughout the year many gyms offer an opportunity to visit the gym for more than a tour of the facilities.  Callie McFee at the Big Vanilla and her staff are looking forward to their version of the free visit this coming week. From April 4^th through the 10^th the Big Vanilla will open its group classes to non-members.  For one week classes BOSU Strength Training to Group Power to Group Groove will be available to non-members.  Free passes can be picked up at the front desk.

 McFee suggests coming with a friend who is already a member so you can get the inside scoop on the classes from someone who you but if you can’t do that she and other members of the staff can guide you towards a class that fits your needs.

 When I need a new pair of shoes, fit is the most important consideration but many people pick a gym without keeping this in mind.  I have been guilty of this in the past.  I believe in the benefits of yoga but there is a certain type of instructor that makes yoga feel like fingernails on a chalk board.  These are the instructors who teach what I call “forced relaxation.”  I understand that breathing is an area of yoga that is important to many people but for me I don’t have the patience for it and leave the class more aggravated than when I entered.

 Over the years I have learned to speak with other yoga practitioners about the instructors.  How do they lead the class?  How fast do they move through the poses?  How hard do they push to get a deep stretch?  How much attention do they pay to each students form?  And most importantly, how much time do they spend talking about peace and love and blah, blah blah? Using this information I can pick the classes that will work for me and avoid the instructor who make me want to scream.

 Having the opportunity to try a class, meet the instructor and understand how the program works is priceless.