Group classes more effective than classroom work?

It's a frequently asked question: what is the most effective ?

Group classes or individual training programs at the gym? Let's first examine both options in depth. What do they consist of ?

Advantages and disadvantages of group classes: Group classes offer various options of different levels and intensities. They are based on structured, sometimes improvised, routines that guide participants through movements set to music. They can improve overall fitness or target specific parts of the body. They tend to emphasize a fun approach to working out.

There are numerous different genres, often driven by trends. To maintain this fun aspect, new workout styles are frequently introduced to the market. What's problematic is that each new class is always presented as the ultimate solution, THE class that will transform your figure. The marketing effect operates similarly to any trend nowadays. Everyone wants to try it until realizing that changes don't happen miraculously. It takes consistent effort, a suitable diet, and regularity for meaningful progress.

What seems troubling in this situation is that the new class tends to make all previous ones completely outdated and unworthy of interest. It's reminiscent of what we've heard for years with laundry detergents: "The new Omo washes even whiter!" As Coluche once said, with all this "whiter than white," one might wonder what color it really is? It's as if a class that seemed fantastic the previous year has become outdated within just one year... It's a bit insulting to people's intelligence.

There are also standardized classes that present modules intended to be followed over a certain period of time without change. Is this good? Is it bad? It's certain that if you feel muscle soreness the day after an hour-long class, repeating the exact same session a week later may mean your body has already adapted and you feel nothing. It's quite individual, but if you no longer feel any discomfort, you're not progressing. It's up to you to assess your situation.

Advantages and disadvantages of individual classes.

Individual programs in the gym involve more specific work using dumbbells, barbells, or machines. The advantage is that you can work alone and immediately, but the disadvantage is that there's a risk of frequently doing things incorrectly.

You can find many programs and exercises on the internet, and some are quite good. But are they suitable for your level? For your goal? It's not certain... It seems advantageous to understand what you're doing and why you're doing it. Don't hesitate to ask a coach for explanations. If you want to gauge whether someone claiming to be a coach knows their stuff, ask them about the reasoning behind their methods. You'll quickly find out if they know what they're talking about.

However, if you're looking for muscle development, this method seems to be the right choice. No one has ever become a bodybuilding champion solely through group classes. From a muscular standpoint, it can be confidently asserted that this is where you'll achieve the best results. Group classes appear to focus more on overall fitness rather than muscle development.

However, they can still yield very good results for thighs, hips, buttocks, and abs for someone not seeking size but rather toning.

A method that draws inspiration from both, as well as weightlifting, emerged a few years ago: CrossFit. It incorporates elements of gymnastics, basic fitness conditioning, bodybuilding, and also some exercises found in group classes or even Swedish gymnastics. It's a method that effectively enhances physical fitness, not primarily aimed at sculpting the body initially, but still delivers significant physical results for those who adhere to an appropriate diet.

Many bodyweight exercises or heavy lifting are often performed, with performance being a key focus. Therefore, be cautious of injuries. Lifting heavy weights can be taxing on joints and tendons. Pay attention to any pain; it's your body warning you that you could cause irreversible damage if you persist without listening to it.

So, which one to choose to be effective? The most effective method will always be the one in which you invest the most energy. For this, you must have the desire to give it your all. Therefore, choose the one that seems most suitable for you, the one you prefer, the one that inspires you to push further and progress. The more effort you put in, the more you will progress, and the more progress you make, the more motivated you will be to push even further...

Yves Bondroit coach for QNT