Ode to GL GroupExercise Classes
The Collective Vibe/The Motivation/The Great Energy
My time at GoodLife these days is completely devoted to GroupExercise classes: BodyPump, BodyAttack, BodyCombat & when I can, BodyStep. Meeting new people and making connections with them is also something that attracts me to the gym. Hearing their stories and experiences and seeing them each week (even at the same classes) is something of a refreshing treat! Beyond that, the classes alone help to keep me fit as I’ve always been keen on regular exercise and being healthy. However, there is so much more to benefit when a group of strangers, acquaintances, family and friends come together to accomplish a physical feat! There’s something about collective suffering ...I mean, collective energy & drive that really helps to push yourself to the limit. I remember very vividly coming to < than 30 metres to Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and being overwhelmed with tears & elation when I saw my friend (who was ahead of me pumping her fist & cheering me on loudly to the finish). I’m sure that there are many reasons why people take gym classes, but for me, it’s just that being together , in that moment, trying to achieve the goal of completing the class (without gagging...my favourite body reaction! Ha!) and pushing myself to my limit on that given day is something that truly motivates and propels me no matter how difficult. [Now, how well I finish a class is a completely different story altogether ~ haha!]
It’s the people (the collective) doing the same thing, at the same time, working independently to get to the end point...but yet, still, all together . That energy I speak of is motivating because it helps to drive you to optimal capacity. When you look at your neighbour with sweat dripping down their brow (being pleased that you're not the only one that unleashes sweat like the magnitude of Niagara Falls) & the person in front of you with a shirt that’s soaked right through, or when you see the squished up face & the gritting teeth of someone in the mirror trying to lift that bar one last time during the biceps track... same sweat puddles, same adrenaline pumping, same panting for revival of lung capacity & same synapses firing to cause our muscles to go one more rep. or do one more Superman!
One love, one pain
Thee Instructors
I’ve grown to appreciate and am thankful for the positive impact instructors have in the lives of many members including myself. It amazes me that many of these instructors don’t even teach classes as a full-time job and it’s almost hard to think that beyond their regular day job, they are able to consistently deliver stellar classes while inspiring & motivating us each & every time! Mesmerizing indeed...it’s a great show to see every single time! There’s so much that is done “behind-the-scenes” that we, as regular lay people members can’t really appreciate but can only imagine the dedicated effort required to prepare for classes. In fact, I’ve heard that the bulk of new releases with the new moves and music are learned while driving in the car! Kudos to the GL instructors because they’re 1st rate & fantastic! Here’s a premature plug (b/c it's coming next), join GoodLife and come out to the GroupExercise classes & I won’t have to convince you because you’ll see how amazing the instructors are for yourself! It’s so awesome to see people so passionate about what they do & it continues to inspire me! It definitely garners a smile out of this face amidst a gruelling & painfully challenging class!
The Plug
I know that many teachers take GroupExercise classes because I meet them in our impromptu chats. I also know that they’re many teachers in the gym because who can decline a $339/yr. (*ADVERTISEMENT) membership!?! I often hear teachers unleash about their garden variety of battle woes of behavioural students, report card writing or bad mouthing other teachers (just kidding!)...Yes, I know that they’re teachers in the gym b/c they always talk shop! It’s hard not to vent about the daily stresses that are associated with teaching...even if it’s in a gym change room! Now then, everyone knows your business...teacher or not! HAHA!
For these reasons, I try my best to commit to the classes each week. The allure is not only in the classes where you can hopefully see the benefits but also in the many things that we gain that can’t necessarily be measured so concretely but for which one can still be grateful for.
I’m just happy to be a part of it all.
See you in class!
