Why Group Fitness?

By: Christi Taylor

Teaching group fitness is about the people you meet and the relationships you develop. Oh, and by the way - it's also good for you.

In the beginning group fitness was the center of the fitness industry. In those days we didn't call it "group fitness." Back then, all group classes were aerobic training in nature, so we entitled this form of fitness as our "aerobic class." Since those days, format options in the group fitness studio have expanded; we now offer all types of fitness training selections.

"When the era of the "aerobic class" began, it was all about exercise. Through the years, it's become so much more. It's that human connection…"

I've been teaching classes and training instructors since the early 80's. In my experience, the biggest difference in group fitness now - as opposed to then - isn't the exercise. It is true that we offer much more now than before; however, there is one thing that group fitness offers now that you can't get from anywhere else. That's the social connection.

In the 90's this social connection was beginning to take form. People that do not like the enclosed environment of group fitness began to move out of the studio and onto the fitness floor, taking advantage of other training options. This was a very good transition for them. Those that did not leave the studio were the people that truly enjoy the enclosed environment of a group fitness class. They enjoy the challenge and accountability of working as a team and socializing with a group. That is the type of person to whom we now cater to in group fitness.

I witnessed one other huge transition with regards to social connection, and that began after 9/11.

Group fitness classes not only keep you strong, healthy, fit, and happy. But it's also a great relational event.

This event, designed to damage our society, ushered in a small burst of light to the group fitness world. Before 9/11, people wanted a place where they could go that others would know their name and they all had something in common. After 9/11, people needed this place more than ever. This day formed a great change in group fitness as we knew it.

Today, if you are looking for the social center of any health club, just look to the group fitness department. That is where most of the members frequent. That is where most of the members know each other. And that is where a club can explode to great heights or crumble - from within.

When the era of the "aerobic class" began, it was all about exercise. Through the years, it's become so much more. It's that human connection, the place where relationships begin, the "Cheers" of fitness where everybody knows your name, or possibly it becomes the family you never had. You hold on tight to relationships like this.

I've never been a student; I've always been the instructor. I can tell you that it is no different for us instructors. It's our social center; our members are our friends, family, accountability partners, etc. Instructors love their members as much as members love their instructors. We are the same kind of people. We all love the enclosed environment of accountability we call "Group Fitness." We have that in common.

For the past 15 years I have told my instructors, "Any time a member walks into your group fitness class, you have received a personal compliment from them, and you need to treat them accordingly." I believe this because each person at your club starts their day with many fitness options available to them. They can work out at home on their own, they can purchase a home DVD, or they can walk or jog the streets. If they choose to go to the health club, they are again flooded with many more top notch fitness options and training modalities.

However, if they decide against all of those options and schedule their time to arrive at the club as your class is beginning, just to take your class, then you can be assured and know without a doubt that you've been complimented on a high scale. After all, time is valuable. And that person chose to spend their valuable time on you.

So, why group fitness? It's the people you meet and the relationships you develop. Oh, and by the way - it's also good for you. Group fitness classes keep you strong, healthy, fit, and happy. But those are just the "cherry on top" of an already great relational event! And that is why I love my job as a group fitness instructor!

About Christi Taylor

Go to About Christi Taylor for more of Christi's articles and her bio.

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