Get to a class

There are classes available in sports and community centres all over Hampshire and IOW it is just a question of finding out where, what’s on and what to do.  Choose what type of class you want to have a go at, ring your local centre, get your water bottle ready and off you go!!!

Get Safe


If you are starting exercise for the first time or after a prolonged ‘rest’ don’t forget to get some advice from a doctor or trained fitness professional.  Most sports centres will have instructors who can offer you advice on the best classes or exercise for you.  By talking to an instructor not only will you be re-assured that you are doing the right thing but regular check-ins can do wonders for motivation levels.

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Get Going


Looking at a class timetable full of weird and wacky names you’ve never heard before can be a bit confusing. So many choices but what to do? Check out the lists below and choose classes that fit into the exercise areas that will achieve your aims. Class options:

For cardio-vascular/aerobic exercise try one of these:

  • Aerobics – just aerobic, maybe some stomach exercises.  Includes varieties including Body Combat™, Body Jam™ and Kick Aerobics
  • Legs, Bums and Tums –  aerobic, floor exercises, leg strengthening, stomach work
  • Salsa – aerobics to salsa music
  • Step – aerobics using a box
  • Keep Fit – low intensity aerobics, maybe stomach/leg work
  • Dance Workout – aerobics with lots of choreography (dance moves)
  • Aqua aerobics – aerobics in the water, low impact.
  • Deep Aqua – aerobics in deep water, more resistance than shallow.
  • Studio cycling – indoor group cycling class on static bikes

For weight bearing exercise try:

Group weights workouts – appear in various shapes and forms.  Involves set weight routines giving a whole body workout. Look out for Body Pump™, always a popular choice.

For a mixture of cardio-vascular and weight bearing:

  • Circuit training – a variety of exercises around a circuit for an all over body workout.  
  • Studio cycling circuits – a combination of studio cycling and weight bearing exercises, maybe with stomach work

For core stability work try:

  • Pilates – conditioning routine to build flexibility, strength, endurance and co-ordination
  • Yoga – or ‘Hatha Yoga’ loosens joints, stretches muscles, to maintain strength and flexibility.  Improves circulation, boosts energy and calms the mind
  • Tai Chi – integrates the mind and body through fluid gentle movements and deep breathing
  • Body Balance™ - A mixture of yoga, pilates and tai chi.

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Get the Knowledge - what type of exercise?

Cardio-vascular/aerobics includes classes and exercise that increase your body’s need for oxygen. It will stimulate your heart rate and body temperature to rise and dependant on the intensity you may feel breathless.

This exercise will primarily work at improving the efficiency of your heart and lungs whilst burning calories at the same time. After completing the session the rate at which your body burns calories can be increased for a number of hours later, dependant on how hard you worked.

Cardio-vascular and aerobic exercise should be a part of everybody’s exercise routine. If you are aiming to improve your general fitness or lose fat it should play a major role.

Weight bearing exercise includes any class or exercise where you use weight to train a body part. This can include machines in the gym, free weights that you pick up or your own  body weight. This form of exercise puts pressure on specific body parts resulting in an increase in the strength of the muscles and surrounding tendons, ligaments and bones.

Regularly carrying out weight bearing exercise decreases the risk of osteoporosis/arthritis, making it a vital part of all exercise programmes. It will also prevent the loss of muscle (which means you will burn less calories) as you get older, helping to stop that ‘middle age spread’.

Core stability exercise involves training the trunk and any surrounding muscles supporting the trunk. Within the classes you will use differing methods to put your body ‘off-balance’ triggering your ‘core’ (trunk) muscles to kick in and support you. By going through this process the ‘core’ muscles will strengthen.

It is advisable that everyone includes a certain amount of core stability in their training, however people with back and neck pain are advised to dedicate more time towards it.

You will find that many classes will incorporate a certain amount of core stability within their routines.

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Get the Top Tips

  • Use the knowledge of the fitness instructors in your local leisure centre. They will be able to help you come to an informed decision over what exercise is best for you. If you don’t ask you don’t get!
  • If carrying out a gym routine make sure you get your programme updated regularly. Your body and brain will get used to it.
  • Try out a number of classes. If you find a few that you enjoy rotate them to keep some fun and variety in your routine.
  • If it is your first go, let someone know! Don’t try and struggle along if you haven’t got a clue what you are doing. Tell the instructor who will be able to give you some extra help and support, increasing the chances of you continuing.

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