How to Sign up for a Group Fitness Class Yourself
When you suffer from social anxiety or just don’t like being around people sometimes, going to the gym can be quite uncomfortable. You may accidentally meet strangers’ eyes in the mirror, or exchange nods of mutual recognition with the person who noticed you on the bench press a few months ago. This is all somehow strange and awkward.
Group sessions are worse, especially if you are new to. But you can learn to make this less painful activity in the first group by knowing what to expect. After all, group activities can motivate and even push you to work harder than alone. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to approach your first group activity alone.
Looking for the right class
If you are nervous about the difficulty level, first, be sure to find a class that is suitable for beginners or whatever level you prefer. Research is key, according to Jimmy T. Martin, co-founder of Brrrn , a NYC gym with group workouts . “If anyone ever attends group sessions, no matter where they are, [it’s important] to be as informed as possible,” he said by phone. “As for Brrrn, someone who doesn’t know he is training at 50 degrees for 50 minutes might be worried.” Martin added that if you have an injury, again, find out as much as possible about the class and go directly to the gym. They will likely answer any questions you may have about exercise and how it might affect these issues.
For socially anxious people, certain classes can also appear more intimidating. In the case of, say, a SoulCycle class, it’s usually you, a few dozen others, and a trainer. You are looking ahead and there is little coercive interaction between the participants. In the case of classes that require pairing, such as some CrossFit classes, it can be a little more awkward to deal with a stranger one-on-one. Decide for yourself which class you would benefit most from.
Arrival
You enter the building for your first yoga, boxing or other group fitness class – your first step should be to check in at the front desk where a member of staff can cross your name out. Be honest; tell them this is your first lesson. An attentive staff member will tell you what to expect, such as where the nearest dressing room is, where you can fill a bottle of water when class starts, and anything else you may need to refer to the class in question. … And feel free to ask or inform them about anything you are in doubt about.
Waiting for class
You’re early. Class members are filtered one by one. All of you gather in the corner of the room, like the other participants in the previous exit from the class. If you want to chat, introduce yourself to another participant and tell them that this is your first lesson. Often times, if this is someone with at least some classroom experience, they will give a little idea of what to expect. (During one boxing lesson, another participant told me that the heat was the worst part of training, and knowing this simple fact helped me mentally prepare.)
If you don’t feel like chatting, that’s okay too. Use your time to change or stretch. “You don’t have to worry about making friends,” Martin said. “The most important relationship you should focus on is the relationship with yourself and the dialogue you have with your instructor.”
During the lesson
A good group instructor will ask the class if there are any newcomers in the class. You must raise your hand. If they don’t ask, it doesn’t hurt to let them know at the beginning of the lesson; this is especially important if you are injured. As the class progresses, don’t feel obligated to keep up with others. They were all new, too. And if you need a break to get some water, do it. Group exercises are optional and you can do as much as you like. If you liked the lesson, sign up for more. And if you didn’t like it, well, the sea is full of other SoulCycles.