Why are group classes a good thing? Think about how many people have a gym membership. Not “go to the gym”, but have a gym membership. There seems to be a steady flood of new “box store” gyms opening all the time. They offer quick membership sales, smile at you from behind their insanely nice front desk, sign you up and are never seen again. The employee I mean, not the patron. Or maybe not.
We all get “in the mood” every now and again. For the gym I mean. We have something that has motivated us and we take the leap and sign up. Unfortunately for so many, the leap is to the nearest or latest and greatest box store gym. For many of these people, once that quick motivator has been forgotten, there is nothing to hold them to their commitment to themselves of staying healthy and getting fit. These box store gyms are built on that principle. AMMAP; “as many members as possible”. A few keep coming but many are just paying the bills while never using their membership.
Within Crossfit, and specifically at Reebok Crossfit 306 of course, we offer group classes. We focus on building as strong a community as we can. This approach has many folds built into it to help you be the best version of you that you can be. Firstly, these people become your friends! Working out with friends is always far better than by yourself. You have someone to relate to, someone going through the same thing you are. Second, you have a coach. The coaches here at 306 genuinely care about your success and seeing you improve. I know I speak for more than myself when I say that we take pride in seeing “our athletes” reach their goals. We will keep you accountable to the goals you set and will you as much as we can to get you there.
With a coach at the head of each class, you aren’t left wondering “what to do”. If we are left to ourselves to do a workout routine, try as we may, we are going to fall back to what we enjoy more often than not. This is great for our strengths getting stronger but not so good for the weaknesses. Those weaknesses are chinches in the armour; holes in our game. Whether your game is competing in your sport or just doing life in general. We want to be as functional and as well rounded as we can.
Your coach will also make sure you are moving safely. Check out social media for some gym fails and see what you come up with. It will be worth a whole lot of laughs, I guarantee it! While these videos are a good laugh for us to watch, they aren’t so good for the poor people in them. A lot of it is simple a lack of knowledge. Without some explaining and teaching how we should move, we are left on our own which can be a scary thing. Once its explained, it is then watched. Having watchful eyes on you while working through movements allows for individual attention and addressing areas of improvement.
The group class environment may not be for everyone. But I’m willing to bet for those people who might be “paying to keep the lights on” with their unused memberships at big box store gym, we can make a difference. If you’re reading this and that’s you, I encourage you stop by and try a class. See if it is for you! If you are reading this and know of someone who is in that situation, I encourage you to bring them in. The staff would love the opportunity to explain to them what we do here and help them through a workout.
Our community is our strength. If you are already a part of it, thank you making it what it is. If you would like to become a part of it, come on in! We’ll keep the lights on for you.