This chapter covers the classes you’re most likely to find at clubs and studios.
The two exceptions are yoga and Pilates, which have become so popular that
we devote an entire chapter to each (Chapters 16 and 17, respectively). For
each class described in this chapter, we tell you how much you’ll sweat, what
you’ll gain, and how you’ll fare if you’re a klutz. Plus, you’ll discover how to
get the most out of a class while suffering the least amount of embarrassment.Why Take a Class? .......................................................................................
Classes are suited to a certain kind of personality. You’ll love ’em if you feed
off group energy or if you enjoy following someone else’s lead. But if you treat
exercise as downtime, you may prefer to exercise on your own.Beginners will find classes especially valuable. With luck, you’ll get an
instructor who can teach you a few things about exercise, like how to take
your pulse properly and how to use good form when you lift a dumbbell.
You’ll also develop a certain body awareness that you may not get from walk-
ing on the treadmill or pumping weights. You’ll probably make friends, too.Classes are also a great way to learn a new skill. If you want to buy a step
for your home, you can get the moves down in a class. Let the teacher
correct you so that you know what to watch for when you do the workout
alone in your living room. You can supplement this learning process with
exercise DVDs.Getting through when you haven’t a clue ......................................
Make life easier for yourself: Choose classes with the words beginner, intro-
ductory,or basicin the title. You’ll get a much different impression of step aer-
obics from a slower, simplified beginner class than if you accidentally wander
into an advanced class and hear, “Okay, we’re going to U-turn right, U-turn
left, electric slide four times, then step, hop, turn, and repeat. Got it? Let’s go!”Before the class starts, tell the teacher you’re a novice. A good instructor will
keep an eye on you and correct your mistakes without making you feel like an
idiot. If you don’t mind the spotlight, stand in the front — the instructor will
be more likely to notice and correct you. If you’re shy and prefer to make
your mistakes more privately, stand in the back or get lost in the middle.
Throughout the class, keep your eye on the teacher rather than a fellow stu-
dent. And don’t compete with anyone. This isn’t the time to give your ego a
workout.If you get tired, just march in place. Don’t stop cold and walk out in the
middle of a class — you risk nausea or even fainting. But don’t be afraid to
bail if the instructor is a lemon.284 Part V: Conquering the Gym (Even at Home)