Hard Core Group Core

This photo shows a home gym with a step , riser blocks, a blue weighted ball, a kettle weight of ten pounds, and a glimpse of an exercise bike in the background.

The local Y is a sight for sore thighs. In a good way. I joined a “Group Core” class that meets on Wednesdays because…how can I run if my thighs aren’t burning?

A while back, I was in physical therapy because my knees and Achilles tendon hurt too much to run on the treadmill, so I did my stretchy band exercises (still do) and my calf raises and such, but I’m told that if I really want to recover, I need to build strength in my legs and core.

I’m back to running, slowly, and I’m noticing good progress, but I want to keep it that way. Hence, the Group Core class with extra sass.

The instructor is lively, fun, and plays a good mix of songs to “burp-ee” along with. We do mountain climbers, jumps, and lunges of all kinds—fast and slow—for thirty minutes because, honestly, I don’t think our legs and butts can take much more.

It seems counter-intuitive to use your legs and calf muscles more if they hurt from running, but I guess I’m using them differently. And if I take a tumble down the stairs, maybe I can burp-ee my way out of it.

In any case, I’ve collected a fun number of gym toys (a step with risers, kettle ball, big bouncy exercise ball, and various weights) to create a mid-life jungle gym I can climb on when I need to get my zoomies out.

Also, the jungle gym’s portable, so I can re-create that group class sass-itude in any room at the Holiday Inn closest to the next AuthorCon.

Your Turn: Have you ever joined a group exercise class? How did it go?

13 thoughts on “Hard Core Group Core

    1. I’m in the same boat. I have all the equipment at home that I want/need to exercise daily, but the gym classes once a week help me check my form–and keep me away from the doctor’s office. 🙂

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  1. I did many many many years ago and it was fun and motivating, also kind of made me overcome my hate for gyms but that was it never did again.
    I briefly went back to the gym two years ago but only lasted three months🙄

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  2. Oh yes, definitely. I used to be part of a regular high intensity exercise class for years but I have now aged out or maybe I should say that my definition of high intensity has changed! Good luck with your class. 🙂 Cheers.

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  3. I’ve never joined a group exercise class. I couldn’t think of anything more embarrassing. When I need to, I enjoy going to visit a physiotherapist. When a physiotherapist tells me to do something, it always makes sense to do it. Do physiotherapists run the group exercise classes?

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    1. No, a physiotherapist does not run the class, but my physiotherapist said that a group exercise class would be good for me. I do all the prescribed exercises at home and then, with the group class, I can check my form to make sure I’m on the right track.

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