RIO Fitness Chicago® Exercise & Nutrition Blog

This on was on today's Yahoo homepage. Heather Hawkins, a Yahoo fitness "expert" says group classes are just as effective as having a one-on-one trainer.

1) Those of you who go to group classes know that they almost never change up the routine. Muscles memorize movements/patterns, so if you're not constantly shocking the muscles with different exercises you'll stop seeing results.

‎2) Most group classes are 60min non-stop aerobic activity with no intervals = you'll burn most calories from energy (glycogen) NOT body fat calories. Doing this will make you feel drained at the end of class, tricking you into thinking you did something, but all you did was deplete your energy reserves. Our heart rate needs to go up & down for intervals to burn majority calories from fat.

3) Proper form is extremely important with any kind of exercise. You might not get injured right away, but continuous improper form is leading to unnecessary pressure to your spine, joints, and ligaments. This will cause you chronic pain in 5, 10, 15yrs. You're not going to get that individualized attention to your form in a Zumba or booty boot camp class of 60 people or more.

Are a lot of trainers worth the high cost? No. Some trainers at your Chicago gyms aren't even certified nor have any experience. There are few in Chicago with actual experience & education, and if you find one you'll get to your goal A LOT faster & safer than you would on your own. Group classes, fitness DVDS, are better than doing nothing, but nothing can replace a quality, educated, and experienced trainer who can design a specific program where you NEVER repeat a session.

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/fitnessforreallife/free-gym-classes-can-be-just-as-effective-personal-trainer