Bathing suit season is nearly here, and if you’re looking to get in shape, group fitness might be the way to do it.
A regular crowd gathers at MA Fitness in St. Petersburg for a good workout at a reasonable price. Classes cost about $10 to $15 per session. Owner Matt DiPietro says there’s a good vibe.
“It’s fun,” DiPietro said. “The music gets cranked up and we have a great time.”
Group Fitness has come a long way from the days of Richard Simmons and old fashioned aerobics. There’s a much wider variety available now, from kickboxing to strength training, spin classes, Zumba and boot camps
The motivation you get in a group setting is a major attraction. Raphael Perrier takes classes and said other classmates is great incentive to work harder.
“With the people around you, you look next to you and you see a person fighting their hardest or running their hardest and you get that little extra kick that takes it to the next level for just a little bit longer,” DiPietro said.
Another bonus is getting some one-on-one instruction without the high cost of a personal trainer.
“They’re always running around the class giving you a tip, ‘Hey, bend your knees just a little bit more’ or ‘Keep those hands up just a little bit. Fire it again,’” DiPietro said.