Start MOVING and Stop Overthinking: Tips To Find Your Perfect Group Fitness Class
After decades teaching group fitness, I know what it takes to build loyal followings and what members seek in an inspiring instructor. Now I'll share how to discover classes worth committing to.
There’s no need to peek through the group fitness doors any longer or tell yourself you’ll join “when you’re ready.” Group fitness classes are perfect for motivating you to exercise regularly around community and encouragement. If you’ve been thinking about trying a class, here’s how to make your first one a success.
Narrow down what you’re looking for:
Class style: What type of group fitness classes appeal to you? Consider options like cardio, strength training, dance, yoga, kickboxing, to name a few. Starting with a style you genuinely enjoy increases your chances of sticking with it. Make a list of both classes you know you'll love and ones you're curious to explore—you'll use this information in a bit.
Your availability: When are you typically available for classes? Do you have consistent time blocks during the day or evening, or does your schedule vary between mornings, evenings, and weekends?
Child care?: Be sure to include childcare on your checklist if you'll need it while attending classes. Find out whether it's offered free of charge or if there's a fee, and ask about the caregiver-to-child ratio to ensure proper supervision.
Membership or no membership:
If you don’t have a membership: Look for a fitness club or studio that offers classes aligned with your goals, fits your schedule, and provides childcare or any other amenities you may need. Give them a call to see if they have a 1 week (or 3 day) guest pass so you can try out a few classes. If you’re looking into a studio location, they will offer you only a first class free option.
ADDITIONAL TIP: Last month, my newsletter How to Choose a Fitness Club You’ll Actually Love in 2026. Steps Most People Overlook really resonated with readers and helped them find the perfect gym for their needs. If you missed it, I'd definitely recommend checking it out.
If you already have a membership: Check their online schedule to find classes that work for you—and confirm childcare availability or any other amenities you may need if that’s a requirement.
Now Let's Find Your Perfect Group Fitness Classes!! What I Tell My Clients.
These tips work for both traditional gyms, fitness clubs and studio environments.
Get to know your instructor: Arrive a few minutes early and introduce yourself to the instructor. I love when new people do this in my classes. Let them know it’s your first time. Instructors genuinely enjoy welcoming newcomers and will go out of their way to help you feel comfortable. They will give you some insight of what to expect in class and what equipment if any that you may need. This is a great time, although optional to share with them any health risk concerns you may have for doing the class.
Position yourself where you can see the instructor: As you look for your spot, don't be shy—make eye contact, smile, and say hello to a few people. Introduce yourself, mention you're trying out the class, and ask what they think of it and the instructor. It's a simple way to feel more connected before class even starts. Remember, you belong in that room just as much as anyone else, so don't play mind games with yourself that make you feel like an outsider.
As far as where you will position yourself in class, it's tempting to hide in the back corner, but visibility matters more than invisibility. If the back row feels most comfortable, that's okay—just try to find a spot that's more centered in the room where you have a clear view of the instructor. You don't need to position yourself perfectly; just aim for it and be flexible.
Perfection is NOT your goal: Before someone takes my group fitness classes I always tell them the following: Instead of worrying about getting every move exactly right, ask yourself: Am I moving? Am I sweating? Is my heart rate up? Am I enjoying myself? If the answer is yes, then you’re doing great. You’re burning calories and getting stronger. Chasing perfection when you’re just starting out is a recipe for frustration, but celebrating small wins will keep you coming back.
Three tries before you decide: I tell the members who try my group fitness classes that one class isn’t enough to know if it’s right for them. The first time, you’re just figuring things out. The second time, it starts to feel familiar and you’ll follow along better. By the third class, you’ll be moving more confidently and have a real sense of whether you want to continue.
Variety & Quality is important! Three things that drive results and keep you motivated
Variety within the classes you take: The beauty of group fitness is variety. Mixing different classes throughout your week keeps things interesting and challenges your body in new ways. That’s when you’ll really start seeing results—and actually enjoy the process.
Make sure the classes you choose throughout the week include strength training, flexibility and stretching, and cardio. If you're short on time, look for classes that combine multiple formats in one session.
Variety from the instructor: It’s important to ensure the instructor is changing things up on a regular basis with the exercises you do, the flow of the class and even the music. If it is a freestyle class (where the instructor designs the entire class and chooses their own music), then in this format you may find the instructor changing things up from week to week or at least every 2 weeks.
But if it is a licensed/scripted type class (where instructors are given the music and choreography) then when they introduce a new class which is called a new release this will usually mean you will do it for an entire month. Then they will mix in previous releases that they have done already until they are given a new release to learn and then launch in their clubs. New releases are given to them quarterly. Fitness clubs vary in how much freedom they give to instructors as to when they will launch new releases or continue using previous ones.
Quality within instructors: The instructor shapes your entire class experience, which is why they should be arriving at least 15 minutes early is essential. This gives them time to ensure the room is safe and organized, room temperature is good, they can set up and test the sound system and microphone, arrange any equipment needed for class, and take a quick bathroom break if necessary. Most importantly, it allows them to be present and ready—welcoming members by name with a smile as they arrive.
Quality of performance: As instructors, it's our responsibility to practice and build our comfort level before standing in front of a class. When we teach, everything should come together—instruction, energy, motivation, and fun—all wrapped in professionalism that includes making eye contact, smiling at participants, and connecting with the room.
If an instructor spends the entire class looking down at the floor or staring at themselves in the mirror without engaging with participants, know that not all instructors teach this way. If connection and encouragement matter to you, keep trying other classes in that format until you find an instructor whose style resonates with you. But if you love the workout regardless, then that's great—you've found your class.
One Additional Option Worth Exploring
Punch Card Class Passes - A Flexible Alternative to Membership: Some fitness clubs and gyms offer group fitness punch card class pass packages as an alternative to full memberships. These typically come in bundles of 10 or more classes that you purchase upfront. Each time you attend a class, one session is deducted from your punch card pass. Keep in mind that expiration dates vary by facility, so be sure to ask about the timeframe for using your passes.
Since most traditional gyms prioritize membership sales, they may not actively promote punch card class options. If this flexibility is what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to ask specifically about it, because prices are rarely shown on their websites.
Studios, on the other hand, typically operate differently. They usually offer transparent pricing with multiple options including class passes (which do have expiration dates), monthly memberships, and annual plans. Most studios will present all available options upfront, and you can usually review their pricing structure on their website before visiting. Most studios now track your classes digitally through their online system rather than issuing physical punch cards. You'll need to set up an online account, but this actually works in your favor—you can check your class balance and expiration dates anytime, right from your phone or computer.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Whether it’s a fitness club, gym or studio, some (not all) may require you to show your punch card with every visit. No card, no classes. So just make sure to ask what their policy is, if you ever lose your punch card pass, or if you forget it.
Now You’re Ready!
Now you’re ready to find your perfect group fitness classes. Any questions or if you would like to add to the conversation, just comment below. I love hearing from my subscribers.
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The three-try rule really resonates with me, but what about when you're dealing with completely different class formats - like should you give yoga three tries before moving on to kickboxing, or stick with one style until you've given it a fair shot? Sometimes I wonder if jumping around too much early on prevents you from ever getting past that awkward beginner phase in any particular format.