Our Top 10 Group Fitness Class Hot Takes

We’re very open about our methodology and beliefs when it comes to fitness. We’ve written several blogs about how to get the most out of your training and how to train efficiently. When it really comes down to it, though, here are our top 10 hot takes that you’d be hard-pressed to change our minds on when it comes to group fitness. 

1. Starting with an On Ramp is better than just jumping into classes. 

As CrossFit became more accessible and the initial rush to join a CrossFit gym slowed down, many gyms removed their On Ramp process to make it easier for new athletes to join classes. Remove the barrier to entry, get more members. It makes sense in theory, but eliminating the onboarding process actually created more barriers than it removed. 

Even if you’ve been doing CrossFit or strength and conditioning training for years, you can still benefit from a few hours of one-on-one coaching. During those sessions, we learn about your wonky shoulder and help you overhead squat more efficiently. You get to learn about our coaching style, our culture, and whether our vibe matches what you're looking for. If you’re brand new to fitness, you gain confidence with the terminology used in class and the common movements you’ll encounter. (Flashback to baby CrossFitter Torrie Googling “HSPU CrossFit” before signing up for classes in 2019.) 

2. Asking for help when you’re confused is better than faking it. 

Unsure what the coach was talking about? Not quite sure whether you're doing a power clean, a hang squat clean, or something entirely different? 

Ask. 

Your coach and the experienced athletes around you are there to help. And if you were talking during the coach's brief, definitely ask another athlete first. We want you to get a great workout and achieve the intended stimulus. 

3. Showing up when you’re at 50% is better than only coming twice a week when you’re at 100%. 

Fitness is a long game, and you're not always going to be at your best. Work is stressful. The weather sucks. You really don't like burpees. 

Whatever it is, show up anyway and stay consistent. 

The workouts you have to convince yourself to attend are often the ones you grow the most from. Consistency beats perfection every time. 

4. Good music can make or break a workout. 

We can't blame every missed PR on Ray putting Eminem on the speakers, but we know the power of a hype track or a playlist with great rhythm. 

When you're about to pick up a heavy barbell or you're 10 minutes into a 20-minute AMRAP, the right music can make all the difference. Whether it's lyrics that remind you you're an absolute badass or a beat that helps you maintain your pace, sometimes you've got to ask the coach to turn it up or switch it up. 

5. You should still come to the gym when you're injured.

Yes, you read that correctly. 

If you're safely able to drive, walk, or bike to the gym, you should still be there and remain consistent with your routine. Our coaches are experts at scaling exercises. From designing completely different workouts to modifying movement patterns, we can keep almost anyone moving while recovering from an injury. 

According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the detraining effects of being sedentary can begin to appear in as little as five days. While an acute injury may require some immobilization while healing, the rest of the body can continue training through modified exercise to maintain both neural and physical adaptations. 

Continuing to show up not only helps maintain the habit, but it can also support your recovery. We can work alongside your healthcare team to reinforce rehabilitation and provide appropriate exercise modifications throughout the healing process. 

6. Scaling a workout is more impressive than struggling to finish Rx. 

We get it. The dopamine hit from logging an Rx workout is real, but it's not always worth it. 

Every workout is designed with a specific stimulus in mind. If you're struggling to maintain the intended pace because you have to drop every clean or step onto a box that's too high for you to move efficiently, you're missing the point. 

That's not to say you can't challenge yourself or occasionally sacrifice some time to complete a workout as prescribed. But it should never come at the expense of the workout's intent or your safety. 

7. Hokas are the worst gym shoes. 

Hokas can be a great option for long-distance runners or people who spend most of the day on their feet, but they're among the worst choices for strength and conditioning workouts. 

If you haven't already, check out our previous blog on what to look for in a gym shoe. 

8. Your coach is the best person to ask for feedback on your technique. 

We know it can feel intimidating, but we promise your coach wants to watch you move and provide feedback during class, personal training sessions, or Open Gym. 

It's not just their job. It's their passion and profession to understand how bodies move and how to improve movement patterns when needed. 

Ask them to watch you. Send them videos. Listen to their feedback. 

9. Your workout should look different from the person next to you. 

Every athlete is unique, from anatomy and mobility to experience and comfort level. That means everyone will move a little differently, use different weights, and have different training needs. 

Even when you're following the same group program, your workout should still look different from the person next to you because you are not them. 

10. Working out isn't always fun. Get over it. 

The excitement of a new training plan eventually wears off. Challenging your mind and body to become stronger and fitter isn't always fun. 

That's why we recommend tracking your progress regularly. Seeing tangible evidence that your consistency is paying off is often what keeps athletes motivated to show up, stay committed, and continue pushing their boundaries. 

Motivation comes and goes. Habits, consistency, and discipline are what keep you moving forward when the fun wears off.