Fitness classes are an excellent way to learn new exercises. However, it’s imperative to understand the difference between those meant for individuals and those that are ideal for teaching groups. The former focuses solely on people working on their bodies and honing their skill sets. Meanwhile, the latter is intended to promote social interaction alongside the workouts.
Why Group Fitness Reigns Supreme
While solo fitness classes can be beneficial, it’s hard for any health and wellness enthusiast to deny the viability of their group-centered counterparts. For one, experts say that group fitness classes can promote social accountability, which can prevent people from pushing too hard or going too easy on themselves.
The quantity and intensity levels are also increased when you’re in a group fitness class, especially since it’s supervised by an instructor. While it may initially seem intimidating, many gym goers actually appreciate just showing up and being guided alongside other people.
Which Type of Fitness Class Is Best for Teaching a Group?
Identifying which type of fitness class is best for teaching a group can be challenging, whether you’re looking to set one up, join an existing one or host one of your own in the future. Here are several suggestions to narrow down your options:
1. Dance — Zumba®
Dance is a beautiful exercise that brings so many people together and helps them remember the joys of exercising. Plus, it’s even more fun when you’re in a group of like-minded individuals who love swaying to the beat and care about one another.
Zumba® is a staple brand that has started a dance-fitness revolution in the workout world. It has all the resources to help you find a community for group fitness or become an instructor to teach groups yourself. More than 15 million people participate weekly, so you’ll know they’ll be on board.
Key features:
- Offers a simple training and licensure process
- Matches you with an education specialist for guidance
- Empowers you to teach classes through any format and at any location
2. Power Walking — WoW Power Walking
Walking has to be one of the most underrated forms of exercise. However, its simplicity makes it one of the best options for fitness classes when teaching groups. Plus, you can perform it virtually anytime and anywhere.
WoW Power Walking is ideal if you’re looking to join and learn this activity for future teaching. It incorporates high-intensity interval training or HIIT into its walking classes for maximum time efficiency.
Key features:
- Accommodates people of all fitness levels
- Holds scheduled walking workouts outdoors
- Prepares the walking routes for you
3. HIIT Classes — Group HIIT
HIIT in itself is already a key form of fitness that targets your cardiovascular system and strength. The format mainly involves short and intense bursts of exercise before leaving intervals for rest and vice versa.
Group HIIT is a women-owned business that builds comprehensive workout programs that you can do with families, friends, co-workers and other groups. You can also access video and textual resources to curate your experience.
Key features:
- Offers kid-to-athlete-level programs
- Provides individual and group memberships
- Accepts HSA and FSA payments
4. Yoga — In Motion Fitness
Yoga trains both the body and mind. It improves flexibility while sharpening focus. Sharing this practice with a larger group can create a welcoming environment for beginners and cultivate a sense of community.
In Motion Fitness holds a wide variety of yoga classes each month in its own personal studio. You can explore chair yoga, hot yoga, meditative yoga, sunrise salutations, gentle flow and more. Both new and returning practitioners can explore levels suitable for them.
Key features:
- Offers single, double and family memberships
- Provides a serene fitness resort
- Ensures unlimited group exercises
5. Spin Classes — SoulCycle
Spin classes, also known as indoor cycling, are one of the best types of fitness classes for teaching groups. They involve a cardiovascular workout on stationary bikes with sprints and climbs. More advanced versions also include upper-body workouts.
SoulCycle has signature classes that bring groups together to strengthen their mind, body and soul. Instructors typically choose music to enhance the experience for their class, which you can use as inspiration if you were to ever hold your own spin class someday.
Key features:
- Works with diverse instructors and choreographers
- Offers student and corporate pricing options
- Provides at-home bikes with flexible financing to help you create your own studio
6. Aqua Fitness — In-Shape Fitness
Aqua fitness is a great way to make full-body workouts low-impact, as the water can ease the pressure on joints and muscles. Floating through the water with music in the background can make the experience enjoyable for the whole group.
In-Shape Fitness offers a variety of aquatic classes that enhance your cardio and muscular endurance. Explore experiences such as aqua combat that let you practice your jabs, hooks and kicks in the pool.
Key features:
- Offers memberships with access to 63 fitness clubs
- Appeals to health enthusiasts of all fitness levels
- Provides master-style workouts for those seeking performance swim training
7. Pilates — Fit Athletic
Pilates can help correct multiple facets of your physique, like posture, balance, flexibility and more. It also has elements of mind exercises, such as breathwork and focused movements. In classes, groups can work together on this body-mind connection.
Fit Athletic offers Pilates classes with low-impact exercises designed to build core strength and improve overall fitness. There are also reformer Pilates classes, which utilize specialized machines to target controlled movement, core stability and full-body strength.
Key features:
- Holds classes led by trained professionals
- Focuses on inclusivity for all body types and fitness levels
- Offers a holistic and personalized plan for self-growth
8. Bootcamp – Burn Boot Camp
If you want a high-intensity group fitness class, check out bootcamp workout formats. These are inspired by military training and involve full-body movement and strength training that will test your endurance.
Burn Boot Camp facilitates challenging workouts that involve metabolic, body weight and strength conditioning. It also releases daily protocols for what members should perform weekly to avoid plateaus and ensure results.
Key features:
- Offers trials and membership options
- Practices inclusivity for people of differing fitness levels
- Encourages you to start your own Burn gym
Methodology for Selecting Group Fitness Class Providers
As you figure out which type of fitness class is best for teaching a group, you can come across a variety of providers to work with. Here’s a quick criterion to use when assessing where to sign up:
| Flexibility | Some providers will have a strict timetable for when their classes are held, while others provide them on demand. Check if their schedule matches yours. |
| Accessibility | Providers with their own studios offer a great experience, but it can be less accessible if you don’t live in the area. Other formats, like virtual or online classes, are more accommodating. |
| Reputability | It’s vital to enroll or partner with a legitimate provider that’s known within the industry. Look into their history, class variety and other credentials. |
| Impact | Look up reviews of people who have taken the group fitness class or signed up as instructors under the provider. They can speak volumes about how effective the offerings are. |
| Suitability | It’s crucial to analyze whether the provider can help you achieve your goals. If you wanted to teach group fitness classes yourself, you would have to be more selective. |
Extra Considerations Before Enrolling in a Fitness Class
Enrolling in a group fitness class can be quite fulfilling when you want to improve your physique while building a community. It’s also a great way to gain some experience in group fitness for future teaching. That said, there are several things you need to consider, such as:
Fitness Levels
Several scenarios can affect your fitness level, like recovering from an injury or exercising for the first time after a hiatus. There’s also the matter of age and experience. It’s vital to assess whether your fitness level can handle the class being given. You can also inquire if the instructor is willing to adjust the class according to your skill level.
Energy Levels
Group fitness already requires considerable energy to socialize with other people, so think about the energy levels necessary for the exercises. For example, dance and HIIT classes will likely require you to use your body more. Meanwhile, yoga and aqua fitness classes can be relatively calmer.
Target Audience
Ask yourself if you’re part of the intended audience for a group fitness class. Specific options, like dance and walking, are pretty open to everyone. However, experienced and eager fitness enthusiasts may find themselves more qualified for bootcamp and HIIT. It’s also worth checking if you want to be in bigger or smaller classes.
General Interest
Choosing a fitness class can be as easy as identifying your interests. If you enjoy music and cycling, spin classes will provide you with the most fulfillment. Sign up for Pilates exercises if they intrigue you. If you’ve never tried something before, make sure to look for beginner-level groups to join.
Unique Benefits
All options are designed to help you improve your physique and bring you closer to people. However, you can also look at other unique benefits that a fitness class can offer. For instance, yoga and Pilates both promote body-mind connection. Meanwhile, dance and aqua fitness can allow you to exercise with feel-good music.
What to Consider When Teaching the Group Yourself
Perhaps you’re considering different fitness classes because you’re planning to become an instructor yourself. Here are several tips to help you out in your journey.
Get an Instructor License
It’s important to build up your credibility to become a group fitness instructor, and a license is a great way to do that. Providers like Zumba® and Group HIIT typically offer materials and assistance that would help you work on and earn your qualifications.
You can also check if these providers have other resources that can help. For instance, access to the amenities or the equipment necessary can go a long way when you’re just starting on your coaching journey.
Explore Training Options
Attending fitness classes is one thing, but organizing your own is another. Consider exploring different training options for your group. Specific options, like aqua fitness and walking, work much better when guided in person.
However, more stationary forms of exercise, such as yoga and Pilates, can be used in an on-demand digital setting. You can conduct classes through an elaborate livestream or set up a virtual call so you can also see and interact with your clients mid-class.
Understand Your Approach
Teaching a group fitness class is a chance to figure out your preparation process. For example, you can lay out what exercises you want in a workout or have a playlist of energetic music ready. Understand the background of your class attendees.
It’s also good to practice mental preparation. After all, being the group leader calls for enthusiasm and clear communication. Trust in your ability to meet those expectations, or condition yourself to understand them.
Start Small in Class Size
Interacting with a larger group of people can be fun yet overwhelming. If you’re just starting, consider limiting your class to just five to 10 attendees. It’s even better if it’s with individuals you may already know to shake off most of the nerves.
Once you feel more confident, scale up the numbers and adapt. It’s a good time to start learning about attendees’ music preferences or whether they have any fitness goals they’re trying to reach. That way, you can adjust the experience and encourage them to return.
Join a Community of Fellow Instructors
Take a page from group fitness’s book and look for social connections. Joining a community of fellow instructors can give you some insight about potential problems you might face and how they have been handled.
It’s also an opportunity to coordinate with others about different fitness providers and their resources. Get some of their recommendations, and perhaps even provide some of your own.
Enjoy Group Fitness Class Types of All Kinds
Understanding which type of fitness class is best for teaching a group can go a long way in enhancing the experience for your community. Prepare as much as you can to get the best results and provide a valuable service.
