Conditioning classes

ash_scotland88 · 4 Aug 2013 at 20:57

Will probably start a lot of debate about how they're "pointless" and stick to the gym.
But what are people's thoughts on stuff like Metafit? I have a few friends that keep mentioning it, with one guy who's going off to study health and fitness (or something) that really loves it.
Then there's also CXWORX and BodyPump (&technique) how do these compare? To me they all seem to offer much the same thing, with maybe bodypump using weights added in.
I'd be looking to help tone and strengthen the core and help get the fitness level up, which all these classes seem to help with

Anybody got any experience in these classes?

arknor · 4 Aug 2013 at 20:59

I'd pass and do it at home unless they actually have gym gear..

sounds to much like aerobics or something lame

Zefan · 4 Aug 2013 at 21:06

It's fine if what you want to do is exercise. As in, just wildly go about doing "something" to help you get "fitter", without actually striving toward any real goals. This is because progression can be very difficult to measure in an environment like that.

It's not fine if what you want to do is train. As in, do specific exercises that you have picked out that will help you achieve your goals, with a training record so you can measure your progress in a systematic way.

:edit: I wanted to add something about your use of the word "tone", but it's difficult to do it without seeming really condescending. I'll let someone else have a crack at that.

ash_scotland88 · 4 Aug 2013 at 21:23

I'm just picking up the language they're (edinburgh leasure) using.
My understanding from reading up is that they're specefic exercises that are featured and that each week is more or less the same, or atleast featuring the same area to work on. I suppose in all honesty I'm still finding abs the hardest area to work on, shifting last of fat and then muscle gain. These classes appear to focus on part of this, with friends saying they feel the burn afterwards.

What I didn't like about reading about Metafit generally was that it's often a tape with tracks and the instructor is only really there to be an example at the front.

arknor · 4 Aug 2013 at 21:27

feel the burn XD the only thing burning is likely calories
what kind of exercise are they doing that you can not do at home for free in your own time.
do you really need to be with over people in a lesson to be motivated ? they are probably aimed at the same types of people as the fat fighting clubs are

by a celeb workout video if you really want tracks and someone doing exercises for you to follow

mrthingyx · 4 Aug 2013 at 21:36

Abz are generally a transient result of diet... I.e. slimming down to the point they start to show up. The flip side of this coin is that - for most people - having abz means they aren't putting on any size/mass.

What it sounds like you actually want, OP, is a leaner, more solid version of yourself. This will require a good diet you stick to, and a consistent, progressive exercise regime. This ony really works long term if it is part of a lifestyle change.

So the question is really whether or not you are prepared to make the sacrifices required o achieve this?

You can do it in a hall with loads of others flailing around to bad music, or in a field somewhere doing burpees or whatever, but you need to be committed and consistent. For me, weightlifting was and still is the answer. What do you think you will stick to for the next two years?

ash_scotland88 · 5 Aug 2013 at 19:03

Thanks for the advice.
mrthingyx, they way I'd describe what I want to do is sculpt me. I'm quite happy with my over all shape, would just like to "carve" in some abs and bulk up the arms- although that doesn't really fall under the sculpting image!

I'm cutting back on food and aiming for eating lower calory stuff with less fat and suger, just need a solid plan for eating really. I admit I'm chopping and changing but it's not like I keep going back to the unhealthier stuff.

arknor · 5 Aug 2013 at 19:39

you will never have visible abs no matter how big they are unless you get to an extremely low body fat.
even some pretty big people won't always have a visible six pack if they bulk and cut

You can't really be on a diet and build muscle properly which is why a lot of people overeat to make sure the muscles are getting all the protein etc they need and then run a calorie deficit after to lose the fat. then again the cycle continues