Everything I learned from taking 40+ fitness classes this year
Growing up, I hated most forms of movement. I dreaded PE class, excused myself out of annual sportsfests, and felt like I had two left feet even when I was just walking. Exercise and sports were foreign concepts to my younger self, and years of fear and disdain for physical activity probably did some damage to my health that I need to undo now.
Fast forward to May of this year, and I’ve taken over 40 fitness classes. Separate from those classes, my daily step count also averages 15,000. Pilates, yoga, barre, ballet, cycling, aerial arts—name it and I’ve probably tried or thought about trying it this year.
I know how hard motivating oneself to pursue movement with any level of consistency can be, so here are some more realistic ways to invest in your body that I’ve learned from a seemingly unrealistic regimen.
It’s worth the investment, but it is an investment
Investing in fitness classes, or anything that has to do with your health, is a great choice that is often difficult to make. We’re programmed to reach for fast food and stay sedentary by instinct, so the pursuit of movement is an intentional choice.
You don’t just wake up one day and get a studio membership or a fitness subscription by chance. That’s a decision you thought through and worked toward instead of simply letting the influencers on your feed do the workouts for you.
Like many things, though, fitness classes and the consistency that comes with them are luxuries. One can’t simply gloss over the steep prices per class or membership, and that’s separate from the activewear sets, transportation fees, and post-workout matchas you’ll find yourself paying for.
Explore and experiment
It’s easy to stick to just one form of workout, especially if all you see and hear about is Pilates, but branch out as much as possible. Every workout class has its key differences when it comes to movement, instruction, and even community. Trying everything out at least once helps you know what you like and dislike, which is instrumental to an ideal fitness routine.
At the end of the day, your fitness journey should be exclusively tailored to you and your goals, and that doesn’t just happen by chance.
Results aren’t immediate
Don’t expect a six-pack or a drastic drop in your weight as soon as you start. Anything or anyone that promises significant visual results in a week or two is very likely lying to you. Just like how you don’t ruin your lifestyle with one “cheat meal,” you also can’t get super fit through one fitness class.
Good things take time, so accept that and plan your journey from there.
Classes alone are not enough
The hard pill to swallow is that you won’t achieve your dream body or lifestyle with fitness classes alone. You can’t out-exercise a bad diet or reverse the effects of a bad sleep schedule, no matter how many classes you take.
So if you’re not seeing progress—physical or mental—despite integrating fitness classes into your routine, it may be time to look into other parts of your lifestyle.
Allow yourself to suck
Perhaps the most important takeaway I’ve had in the past five months is to allow myself to not get everything right at first try.
When I started taking classes, my teachers had to give me countless corrections and modifications. This may feel embarrassing and burdensome when you’re taking your first few classes, but over time, I’ve learned that corrections are compliments. Or, at the very least, corrections tell you you’re getting your money’s worth.
Instructors are there to ensure that you’re doing the right things at the right time, with meticulous recommendations for your form. This is what sets in-person classes apart from the usual YouTube workouts: attention to detail and customization that allow you to perform better than you would alone.
Yes, you won’t get things right at first try, and honestly, you shouldn’t aim to.
And personally, beyond the physical benefits of fitness classes, I find that I like taking them because they serve as a reminder of how far I’ve come, and how much further I can still go.
