At-Home vs. Group Workouts: What Do I Choose?
Just hangin’ out at the barre…
In a world full of different types of workouts – weightlifting, HIIT, yoga, barre, CrossFit, dance, running, I’ll stop there… how do you know what is right for you? Mix in the growing world of at-home videos through YouTube (oh heeey, Move With Michelle), video-on-demand services, and DVD’s; it’s hard to decide what you should pick.
When picking a workout routine, what do you consider before making your choice? Do you look at:
the type of workout, times and where you have to go?
the price of the workout?
how convenient it is for your schedule?
the length of the workout?
the intensity and how difficult it is (or isn’t)?
All of those points matter for both at-home and group workout classes. Really, it comes down to the enjoyment of whatever it is you’re doing. If you don’t like it, good luck sticking with it.
You must enjoy the process to enjoy the results.
As a group fitness instructor, does that mean I’m against at-home workouts? Absolutely…. NOT!
I started off doing at-home workouts before I took the plunge to become barre-certified. For me, the idea of going to a gym scared the crap out of me. I dabbled in a few different workout classes as well (yoga, belly dancing, pole dancing, and spin class). It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the atmosphere of being in a group class, it was either the style was not for me, or it didn’t fit my schedule.
When it comes to the debate of at-home or group workout classes (if there’s not a debate going, well, it looks like I just started it), I’m a proponent of a balanced combination of both. Why not enjoy the atmosphere of a group class a few days a week, and wrap everything up with a different style of fitness at home?
Because of all the benefits of physical exercise (see more evidence here), as long as you’re working to achieve the minimum requirement of 150 minutes of physical activity a week- do what you need to do! However, the workouts you do must be safe for your body type.
So, at-home vs. group workout classes – let’s dive a bit deeper to see the advantages and disadvantages of the two.
Group Fitness Classes
The Atmosphere
If there is one thing that would put group fitness classes at the top, it would be the atmosphere. When you walk into a class with everyone there for the same reason, an instructor ready to motivate and push you just a bit more, the upbeat music, and the flow of the class; you really can’t beat the feeling.
Although, when you’re working out from home, you can create your own atmosphere, but it still won’t be the same as if you’re in a class. However, you can’t guarantee every class is going to be as fun and uplifting as what you’re looking for.
A 2017 study done by the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine found that those who took regular fitness classes, reported having not just an improvement in their quality of life, but lower stress levels and improved emotional and social wellbeing.
The Instructor
The person leading the class plays a huge role in the appeal of group workout classes for two main reasons: The first (and I think one of- if not the most crucial part of the instructor) is to ensure everyone in the class is performing the exercises correctly and safely. Having someone physically there watching and guiding you through the class, and making any necessary corrections as you go is not something you can get while following someone on TV.
The other role of the instructor is to motivate you to challenge yourself and keep you going throughout the entire workout. A solid instructor can do this both in-person and through a video.
No matter what (whether group classes or at-home workouts), your instructor should be certified through a credible fitness company. Pay attention to who’s leading you and the training he or she has gone through. It’s easy to think a certification is legitimate without actually doing anything to attain it.
The Price Tag
One downfall of group fitness classes can often be the price tag behind it. Typically, if you’re attending a fitness class (especially a boutique class), you’re going to pay more for it. However, don’t let the price scare you away.
Consider what you’re paying for – the workout itself, the instructor and their experience, furthering the instructor’s training, the rent for the space to do the class, cost of the equipment, and the instructor’s time.
The Convenience
Another downfall of fitness classes to mention is the lack of convenience they can have. An instructor sets a schedule that he or she thinks will attract the most amount of people regularly. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always mean it’s going to fit your schedule. So, although there may be a class you want to take, there may not be a time slot available for you.
At-Home Workouts
The Convenience
The first and most obvious benefit of at-home workouts is convenience. These workouts allow you to do them at any time of day, basically anywhere in the world. Don’t want to leave your house? Tune in to your favourite YouTube channel and who cares if you’re in your pyjamas. Have a busy schedule and always on the go? Crush through that DVD in between your work meetings.
The point is, at-home workouts provide the most amount of convenience, because they can fit any schedule you have.
Less Pressure
Do you get nervous walking into a group class? Think you need to give it 110% every time you attend, even if you don’t feel strong that day? Although you shouldn’t feel pressured into pushing yourself too hard, or judged because you stopped in a class; at-home workouts take away any pressure and nerves you may have from being around other people.
No one is going to look at you if you stop for a few moments. You don’t have to worry about any judgement because you only did half of the workout.
The Price Tag
As noted above, group workout classes are often more expensive due to everything involved. If money is a factor for you, then at-home workouts can provide a cheap, or even free alternative to getting physical activity into your life.
Minimal Motivation
Unless you’re someone who can stay dedicated to a workout routine without anyone holding you accountable, there isn’t much motivation to complete your at-home workouts. How many times have you told yourself you’ll do that 20-minute video before you go to bed, but never did? I do it all the time.
The Quality of Workout
Now, this can be both a positive and negative for at-home workouts. You can find high-quality exercises online and through on-demand services. Many top trainers have YouTube channels and DVDs that allow you to get a killer workout at home. There’s no denying that.
Where the quality can drop is in how you perform the workout.
I’m not saying that you’re not doing a good job with your workouts at home, because you could be crushing it. However, have you ever had an instructor come and adjust your form during class when you thought you were fine? That’s because having that second set of (trained) eyes watching you can see things you may not even feel or notice.
And the Winner Is…
I don’t think that one is better than the other. What I do believe, though, is having a good balance between workouts with a trained instructor, and taking what you’ve learned and finishing off your week with an at-home workout.
This route allows you to get the best of both worlds. You get the quality instruction from your trainer or class leader, you physically learn how to do the movements correctly, and you get to enjoy the atmosphere from a class. Then, on those busy weeks where you can’t make it to class, you know how to properly perform a similar workout you found on YouTube to ensure your safety.
Which do you prefer – at-home workouts or group fitness classes?