Group Fitness Changed
My Life
When I graduated high school I decided I wanted to try out
to be a member of the Utah Jazz Dancers.
I was a pretty good dancer so I thought I had a good chance of making
the team. Well, tryouts came along
and guess what? I didn’t make it. It
was really devastating for me. I
had really gotten my hopes up and not making it felt like I ran into a brick
wall.
When I didn’t make it I kept asking myself… why? And then I realized something… I had
never really step foot inside a gym.
Yeah I was a good dancer but was my body in top physical shape? Nope.
It was right then and there that I decided to make a
change. If I wanted to try out
again next year, I was going to come back at my best. I got a pass at my local Gold’s Gym. My first day there
was…interesting. I walked around
the gym a little bit. Watched
people use these weird machines (there was no way I was going to try one out
and look like a fool). By the time
I actually decided to just go on the treadmill, it was already time for me to
leave.
As I was
leaving I saw a bunch of people standing by this glass door leading into a
large studio. It definitely
intrigued me. They weren’t dancing
in there I assumed...so I asked a guy at the front desk what was going on. He informed me there are group fitness
classes that happen every morning/night.
The next day I came back to the gym—this time to actually
work out instead of just walking around aimlessly. I was going to take a group fitness class. It was a little intimidating walking in
to the studio. Everyone looked
like they had been coming for a while and knew exactly what they were
doing. Luckily, someone noticed
that I looked a little lost and help me set up my station. I had a bench, a mat, a barbell, and a
bunch of different weight plates. I was definitely nervous.
And then the music started.
Everyone picked up their barbells and started moving in
unison to the beat of the music while following the instructor. It was beautiful. It was a choreographed work out. And I loved it.
When the class was over I felt sweaty, tired, fatigued, and
motivated. Something lit up inside
me that is only burning stronger now.
The energy in the class and the motivation of everyone around me just
completely changed my mind about what working out was. It was fun!
I went to classes every day for about two months and then I
got a call. A call that would
change my life. It was Jan
Whittaker, coach of the Utah Jazz Dancers. She told me that she had a couple girls who were no longer
dancing with the team and she asked if I would be willing to fill the
spot.
My heart dropped.
I was seriously so excited that I didn’t even know what to
say. But of course I said
YES! And the awesome thing was, I
was ready. I had been working my
butt off in my group fitness classes and I not only could dance the part, but I
now looked the part.
My first practice with the Jazz Dancers I met a man named
Neil Anderson. He was our
trainer. The workouts he did with
us were kind of like my group fitness classes but a little shorter and more
intense. I LOVED it. He told us he owned a gym and we were
welcome to come take classes. I
definitely took advantage of that offer.
My first day at FitZone (now GPP Fitness) was amazing. Everyone in the class was doing the
same workout and all working towards the same goal. The motivation and drive was incredible. Everyone cheered each other on and
everyone was on the same team. Why
wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?
I was instantly addicted.
Long story short, group fitness changed my life. It started off with Les Mills classes
at Gold’s Gym and quickly incorporated Neil Anderson’s GPP Fitness. There is something magic about working
out with a group instead of just working out on your own. There is extra push, extra motivation,
extra intensity, and a sense of community. It will keep you coming back, wanting more, instills a love
of fitness, and changes your mind and body for the better.
Now that I live in Ohio, I miss GPP Fitness A TON. However, I still do the workouts on my
own and post my results on the GPP website (gppfitness.com) to stay a part of
the community.
This weekend I participated in a Les Mills Body Pump
instructor certification boot camp.
It was awesome. I learned
so much, gained a ton of new insight, and was definitely pushed. Body Pump was actually that first class
that I took at Gold’s Gym. I am so
excited to bring that energy and excitement to the people of Ohio.
This week instead of giving you a workout, I’m giving you a
challenge. Go find a group fitness
class and GET IN IT. I promise
you, you will never regret it. If
you are in Utah, check out GPP Fitness.
It will change your life.
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