My Fav Aerobics Class

My Aerobics Class

I LOVE my aerobics class downtown Minneapolis at the MAC (Minneapolis Athletic Club), and my aerobics instructor is amazing!! She makes it tough but fun. Most of us have been her "followers" for years. I'm a comparative newbie at 7 years in the class (most of the people in the class have been there longer than me). I've never been able to stick with an aerobic class like this before. Here are some aerobics photos of my aerobics class.

My aerobics class is actually fun and it's easy to get hooked. The class lasts for over an hour but the time flies. It makes it so much easier to stay in shape when you find an aerobics class that you enjoy.

My Aerobics instructor uses music that I love, and that helps to get me energized. All the movements we do seem perfectly timed to the music. I can always tell by the music what move is coming next. It is very well choreographed. Although the class is difficult physically, the movements are simple so a beginner can catch on. I've been to aerobics classes in the past where the moves were so complex and complicated that I couldn't catch on, and I couldn't get a decent aerobic workout.

Of the various aerobics classes I've taken, this is by far the most advanced, high impact aerobics class I've taken. But I think the challenge and ultra high impact level is partly what makes people like it so much. When I first started the aerobics class, it was hard for me. But I made a promise to myself never to quit and leave the class early. I would always stay until the end. If I had to slow down, pace myself, or even sit out for a while, that was okay with me. Giving myself this permission, helped me stay focused and helped keep me from giving up. Within a month, I was strong enough to do the class without stopping. I have only had to leave the aerobics class early one time, and that was because of an injury not due to aerobics.

Aerobic exercise has many benefits to your health and has been shown to help increase energy levels, boost metabolism and contribute to weight loss when combined with good nutrition. I've noticed many of these benefits and that I am stronger and can move faster, I'm more flexible, have more energy, and the aerobics class helps me release stress, and also gives me a chance to think. I get some of my best ideas while doing my aerobics class.

One day a week we do aerobics in a smaller room that is very warm and the heat is turned up. Apparently, keeping your body and your muscles warm, prevents injury. Being in such a warm room, the walls get wet and the floors slippery from sweat. This is something I had to get used to when I first started the aerobics class. Notice even the mirrors get steamed up on this aerobics picture.

Here are my aerobics tips, that I've gained from years of aerobics:

Aerobics Tips

• Find a challenging aerobics class that you enjoy. This is important, if you enjoy the class, you will have a better chance of sticking to it. Try out several gyms in your area until you find a class you like.
• Concentrate on the process, not the end result. Don't make it your goal to "lose weight". Losing weight will happen, while you're enjoying the class. Concentrate on the class.
• Set realistic goals for yourself. At first, make it your goal to just get through the class. Once you accomplish that, make it your goal to do the class without stopping. Next make it your goal to master the class.
• As you get better at the aerobics class, move yourself closer to the front. People in the front of the aerobics class report that they get a better workout when being in the front. The reason is that they have more pressure to perform and since they are right in front of the mirror, they can see what they are doing and so it is easier for them to improve and perfect their movements.
• If you are new to the class, kindly stand in the back until you catch on. You wouldn't believe how many new people come in and stand in the first 3 rows. They must not realize that many of the people they are standing in front of, have been going to this class for years and know it by heart. It can be frustrating to the "regulars" when a new person stands in the front.
• Alternate your aerobics classes. Do a cardio aerobics class 2-3 times a week. Do a weight training aerobics class 1-2 times a week. You would be surprised at how effective this routine is at losing weight. If you can find several aerobics classes you like, even better. The variety will keep you interested.
• As far as how often to do the class, make it your goal to do the aerobics class 2-4 times a week. If you miss a day, or even a week, don't let that make you quit. So many people make routines and then when they miss a day they get discouraged and quit. Don't let this happen to you. Getting fit happens by staying consistent, but missing classes now and then does not hurt.
• Don't overdo it. Overdoing it, will not result in weight loss, and will only make you tired. When I go to the gym, I only go for 1 hour to 1.5 hours, whether I lift weights, do aerobics, use one of the machines, or swim in the pool. Anything more than that is overkill. I would not do more than one aerobics class in a day, and I would also not engage in other activities after the class. I have seen girls who, after an hour of aerobics, will go to the weight room and lift weights, or go to a second aerobics class, or take an hour swim in the pool. I think this is counter-productive, and can increase your chances of injury or burn-out.
• Make time for you. Your aerobics class is "You" time. It's time for you to improve your health and well being, and reduce stress. You will feel better about yourself when the class is over and you will be more productive in other areas of your life when you are getting regular exercise. You are very important. Don't get too busy and miss the class. Other stuff in your life can wait. Your aerobics class may be the most important thing you do all day. Make it a priority.
• Get a sexy aerobics outfit that makes you feel good and makes you feel sexy. This works wonders for me. Just putting on my outfit, gets me motivated. The girls in my class have the most fashionable areobics outfits, and they are always getting new clothes. The most popular brands are: Bia Brazil, Brazil Sul, and Margarita. These brands are only available online.
• Don't worry if you don't have a perfect body. I used to stress about wearing spandex and I wanted to hide my body. But then I looked around and realized that people much bigger than me were wearing spandex and they looked great, no matter what their size. I think everyone can look sexy in aerobics clothes and can look great while doing aerobics and working out.
• Don't constantly look at your watch or the clock. This makes the class feel like it goes on forever. Focus on the music and what you are doing right now. Don't think about how long it is or how much time you have left.
• Try to not leave the class early. If you get tired, slow down and take it easier, take a rest, go get a drink of water. Once you catch your breath, get back in there. If you can't seem to get your breath caught up then just take it easy. If necessary, stay in the back of the class so you don't feel pressure to keep up with the rest of the people.
• Don't eat 2-3 hours before the aerobics class. If you eat within 2 hours before the class, it can make you feel sick when you are jumping up and down, and you will have less energy. I have noticed that when I drink tea 2 hours before my aerobics class, I feel more energized and seem to perform better, however I don't make a practice of this and also don't necessarily recommend it.
• They say that exercising in the morning before you eat breakfast is the best time to do aerobics. However, I find that when I do aerobics on Saturday mornings before I eat, I feel a little light headed. I try to get up several hours before the class so I can have a chance to eat a light breakfast. Also, things I ate the night before can affect my performance when doing an early aerobics class. For instance if I drank pop or alcohol before I went to bed, this can have a negative effect on my ability to do aerobics the next morning.
• Drink plenty of water in your diet. Some people drink water during and before the class, but for me, that just ends up filling up my stomach and I can feel the water sloshing around when I'm jumping up and down. I drink water after the class.
• If you are consistent with your aerobics class, you will recieve the following benefits: you will be more in shape, stronger, more flexible, and you will lose weight. If you don't experience any of these benefits within 6 months of doing the class several times a week, then you may need to find a more difficult class. Also, if you are not losing weight after 6 months, you may need to change your eating habits slightly. This doesn't mean you need to starve yourself...in fact you should be eating 3-4 solid meals a day and you can have snacks. But you may need to eliminate some foods like pop, chips, candy and things with empty calories that you might eat a lot of but that don't fill you up. Doing your own cooking is usually healthier then eating out.
• If you do aerobics for years, and feel you're up to the challenge, why not become an aerobics instructor? Think of it. You can get paid and get fit, and you may get a free membership to your gym. You can do the class your way, at a time that is convenient to you, and this will force you to stay with it.

My Aerobics Class