What a class gives you
An instructor runs a set session at a set time. You arrive, follow along and go home. Formats range from cycling and circuits to strength, boxing-style, dance and stretch sessions. The draw is simple: the workout is planned for you, and a start time is harder to skip than a vague intention.
Who runs them
Gyms with a studio room, dedicated class studios and many council pools and leisure centres. Brisbane City Council's 21 pools offer group fitness classes as well as swimming (Brisbane City Council), and its Colmslie Aquatic Centre in Morningside runs group fitness alongside a health club (Brisbane City Council). The City of Gold Coast's Southport fitness centre lists over 65 group fitness classes each week (City of Gold Coast). In Melbourne, Carlton Baths has an extensive group fitness program (City of Melbourne).
The national register describes Certificate III in Fitness (SIS30321) as the qualification for group and gym fitness instructors, who may plan and deliver group exercise sessions (training.gov.au). Asking what the instructor holds is a fair question.
Classes at a council centre
Council centres often bundle classes with the pool and the gym. In Melbourne's north-west, Moonee Valley's Ascot Vale Leisure Centre lists a group fitness hall alongside a health club and a cardio room (Moonee Valley City Council). Some councils also run community sessions outside a membership. Get Active in Darebin is a free community-based exercise program, and most of its activities cater to people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels (City of Darebin).
Class pass or full membership
Some places sell classes only. Others fold classes into a gym membership, or include some formats and charge extra for others. Ask:
- Which classes does my membership include?
- How far ahead can I book, and is there a limit?
- What happens if I book and do not turn up?
- Can I come along to a class before I commit?
Check the timetable against your week
A long agreement for classes you can never get to is the trap to avoid. Look at the times you can actually make. Ask how quickly popular sessions fill. Ask whether the timetable changes from term to term. Consumer Affairs Victoria has worked with gyms to remove terms that let a centre vary its services without notice (Consumer Affairs Victoria), so read what your agreement says about changes.
If you join in Queensland and change your mind, new agreements carry a 48-hour cooling-off period, and you must tell the gym in writing before the 48 hours are over (Queensland Government).
Your first class
Tell the instructor it is your first time. Stand where you can see. Take the lighter option when one is offered. For a sense of how much activity to aim for, the national guidelines suggest moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity for 30 minutes or more on most days (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing). If you have a health condition, talk to your doctor before you start.
Class questions
Do I need a gym membership to do classes?
Not always. Some places sell class-only passes or memberships. Ask what the options are and what each includes.
What should I bring?
Water, a towel and shoes suited to the format. Ask the gym whether a class needs anything extra.
Are council centre classes different?
The format is much the same. Check the timetable, the booking rules and what the membership covers, just as you would anywhere.