Burn Off that Burger in Group X

Burn Off that Burger in Group X

You did it again. The guys at the office went to the local dive for lunch and you couldn’t resist their invitation to join them for a greasy burger topped with your favorite sauce and sauteed veggies. Now what are you going to do about it? The heartburn is easy to handle but those calories are going to require a little more work to make them disappear.

Group X is a great way to take care of that ill-conceived lunch idea. Group X is short for group exercise which is no longer just jazzercise for stay at home moms. The variety of Group X classes offered range from dance-based Zumba to the athlete-focused Body Pump. You can often find several different types of Group X at most gyms. Here is a synopsis of some of the most popular:

Zumba: Based on Latin dance moves, this class can burn 500-800 calories because you hardly ever stop! The intense focus on using core muscles combined with the fun dance combinations really do leave you feeling both wiped and energized when class is over. Men and women both enjoy Zumba and can be seen in classes all over.

Spin Class: Popularized first by Hollywood types, spin classes are prevalent in most major gyms and lots of smaller ones too. These classes are often set to fast paced music and include lots of encouragement from instructors to pedal faster and push harder. Spin is intense and can burn 500 or more calories an hour.

Water Aerobics: It might not be a good idea to go swimming right after you ate that greasy burger, but if you wait a few hours, you can definitely burn off that burger in this type of Group X class. A moderately intense class can burn almost 250 calories without putting pressure on your joints.

Pilates: Even though many people learn to practice pilates on their own at home or in the gym, you can take a Group X pilates class. The benefits of practicing pilates with a group include additional motivation from your friends who expect you to show up and help from the instructor maintaining proper form. Most of the pilates done in Group X will be mat work and you won’t have to worry about learning complicated machines.

Power Yoga: Moving through several yoga positions at the insistence of an instructor and setting aside meditation or chanting, can result in a lot of sweat! There is no specific formula for how a power yoga class works, but you can expect to work hard and stretch your body into new positions. This type of class is generally taken by people who are already fit or have some experience with yoga.