Aerobic "Cardio" Classes Are Over Rated!

Next time you go to the gym walk over to the "Group X" studio, you know the only place in the gym where all the groupies like to hang out... take a peak inside during a class. Music blasting, the Group X instructor screaming on the mic, and people are sweating by the pounds and having a super time--- Group X classes are considered to be the best calorie burning workouts at the gym.

What do you think???

I mean you are sweating, jumping around, and lifting light weights for high repetitions...

This goes back to identifying what is more important "Burning calories from Fat" OR "Burning calories from building Lean Muscle." There are quite a bit of aerobic classes held at the gym. You have Booty Toning Salsa, Hip Hop Cardio, Step Classes, and tons more. Looking at the aerobic classes listed, do you see any in particular to help you get toned? 

Are aerobic classes really helping OR hurting you? Let me put it this way. Let's pretend that I am 20 lbs overweight and haven't exercised in 2 years. Any form of new activity is going to help me lose a little weight. In this case taking Hip Hop Cardio (not picking on it just using it as an example) is definitely "gonna" help me lose weight. Remember the WHY, because I haven't exercised in years and ANY new exercise Stimulus is going to benefit me and show me immediate results.

A problem with regular aerobic takers is that they are ONLY DOING AEROBIC--- that's all they do. If you don't believe me just ask them. They believe in nothing else than aerobics. Problem number two lies that once you get exposed to aerobics and see immediate results, the chances of you moving forward and trying something new is less likely to happen. In fact, you will be more likely to stick to it and don't be surprised to take "back-to-back" classes because we all know that doing more of anything is better right? Yeah Right! Remember Group classes are intended to burn calories only and should be considered as a supplement towards your exercise regime, not as your only form of exercise! 

--- A Quick Note

The importance of building lean muscle is a thousand times greater than just burning calories: by treadmill, walking, or taking aerobic classes. 

Muscle tone not only looks GREAT, but it gives you the ability to burn more total calories at rest, you can burn up to 900 calories in one hour (it will take you about 2 if you do Cardio) and muscle tone allows you to cheat more when dieting without gaining weight.

I once had a client leave me and say that they wanted to join aerobic classes because it's a "helluva" workout and that her friends were all into it... A few months later my ex-client came back to me weaker and flabbier than we had first started. All her hard earned muscle tone was lost into space. Yes she was a bit lighter on the scale but she felt flabbier and fatter because of her loose skin. 

Please be careful with aerobic classes. Include them into your program but don't become a "Group X class" junkie!

P.S Hip Hop ab's do not give you a SIX pack!