Preston Personal Fitness: Which Workout Class is Right for You? Yoga, Pilates, HIIT, Running & More

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Jul 8

Preston Personal Fitness: Which Workout Class is Right for You? Yoga, Pilates, HIIT, Running & More

Certified instructor Brynn Ackerman breaks down the benefits of today's most popular fitness classes, helping beginners and experienced exercisers find the best fit for their goals, lifestyle, and mindset.

Boxing, yoga, HIIT, Zumba, cycling… the list of workout classes goes on and on and is also forever changing as the fitness industry does best. I mean, just recently the demographic of weight lifters broadened… but that discussion is for another post.

Today I am sharing different forms of movement and whom they may be best for, so you don't have to spend countless time and money trying to find what type may work best for you. I am sharing my honest takes on these different forms and their health benefits with the intent on guiding you in the right direction - no matter where you are in your wellness journey.

But first let's discuss the difference between movement and fitness. Movement is something we do everyday. You move your feet to get out of bed. You move your arms to wash your hair. You essentially expel movement constantly and hopefully as movement is extremely important for overall health.

Fitness, in my eyes, is an intentional, dedicated type of movement. It requires body, muscle, and mind connection. Fitness is the best way to release endorphins, create positive ripples in your stream of life, and ultimately level up in so many aspects. So let’s get on with discussing what type of movement may be best for you.

YOGA

Who is Yoga Best For? Yoga is best for those who are looking to start their movement / fitness journey.

Best For Those Whose Goals Are to:

Increase mobility, flexibility, strength, or balance
Get started on their fitness journey
Reduce stress, ease depression and anxiety
Recommended to increase movement for health purposes

And Why is That? Yoga is all about stretching, being present and connected with your mind and body. There is absolutely no barrier to entry when it comes to taking a yoga class because the good news is, it is all about doing the movement to the best of your ability. A lot of the time, fear is what holds us back from trying new workout classes. But I can guarantee a yoga class is best for beginners who are getting into wellness. I think of yoga as a welcome to the world of fitness… kind of like a gateway drug.

CYCLING

Who is Cycling Best For? Cycling to those who love an adrenaline rush, have a strong sense of self discipline and are looking for a thrill.

I say adrenaline rush because most of the time cycling classes have absolutely NO CHILL. Odds are the room is dark, bumping music, with energetic instructors. And I say a strong sense of self discipline because if you don’t crank up that resistance when told to, you're cheating yourself out of the workout.

Of course, the classes are always encouraging, welcoming, and full of energy - but if you’re more apprehensive to that type of vibe, maybe not the best for you. However, I will say cycling is the most fun to do with a group of friends, especially if the class carries a theme that really resonates with you. Personally for me, my favorite theme is frat house party mix.

RUNNING

Who is Running Best For? ANYONE!

Best For Those Whose Goals Are to:

Exercise your cardiovascular system
Allocate a low cost form of movement
Build strength and endurance

Running carries a very weird stigma. I will explain: A lot of people believe there is this barrier to get into running, like you have to meet a certain credential or criteria of such… and that just couldn't be any farther from the truth.

If you have a pair of sneakers, you can get into running. No one starts by doing marathons, but jogging for a minute on your walk just because or even just 20 seconds. There's no need to place imaginary rules on what it takes to be a runner.

Tips for Getting Into Running:

Set realistic goals. For example, say you think it would be cool to run 2 miles without stopping. Ok, start by running for 5 minutes without stopping, and the next day add a minute.
Run for time, not distance (again, start with just that 5 minutes)
Always warm up and stretch - give yourself enough time to always properly do this!

STRENGTH TRAINING

Who is Weight Lifting Best For? Literally anyone.

Best For Those Whose Goals Are to:

Build strength and increase muscle mass
Practice self discipline
Improve overall health in numerous aspects

Tips for Getting Into Strength Training:

Define an obtainable goal. Start by allocating an X amount of time that you will have Y by. Whether that is better sleep, increase in energy, weight loss… just get specific and track the journey.
A plan is your best friend. There is nothing worse than walking into a gym with no plan. Always intentionally structure your workouts through sets, reps, and targeted muscle groups. And if you are feeling confused, lost, or unmotivated, don't be shy to ask for help, do your own research, or allocate a trainer.
Fear is your worse enemy. I beg you, please do not ever be scared to step into a gym or start your fitness journey. I guarantee no one cares what you are doing, and if they do, that is weird and their problem for judging someone who is prioritizing their health.

And if I may target my girls for a second, I promise weight lifting will not make you fat or bulky. That is simply just not true. And it also is not true that you need to go and bench 100 pounds and squat your body weight.

Everyone’s minds and bodies are different, so if the gym is more of a stressor than a relaxer, don’t force yourself to hit the gym. If you have no clue where to start in the gym and are riddled with “gym anxiety” I can promise you, again, nobody working out cares what you are doing. Odds are everyone there is more concerned with themselves than you, which honestly applies to all fitness classes and life in general. My advice, though, if you feel intimidated with starting your gym journey, is find a personal trainer, go and talk to workers at the gym, or do some research online. The gym is best for those who plan and prepare.

My biggest piece of advice is to always go into the gym with planned structure - reminder, too, that odds are people are eager to help and make your start to movement seamless and simple.

HIIT

Who is High Intensity Interval Training Best For?

Those short on time
Don't necessarily enjoy movement, but know it's something they have to do

High Intensity Interval Training is definitely not for the weak minded, but personally I don't recommend this type of stress be placed on the body DAILY. I remember when HIIT workouts were all the craze along with 21-day fixes and juice cleanses, but in reality, movement, health, fitness, and wellness are not meant to be a “fix” but rather a natural piece of your life - a given if you will.

So if you're looking for a change - whether that be in your health, looks, mindset, or just overall wellness - I would not recommend diving in with HIIT. But if you are short on time and looking for something efficient, there are some very good HIIT workouts out there that will get your heart going and blood pumping in under 20 minutes. Overall, HIIT is best for those who are crunched on time or want something quick and efficient. All in all, any type of movement is good movement.

PILATES

Now let's discuss Pilates, and is it worth the hype? I am sure you have seen the uptick in attention to Pilates and the popularity of the movement. I mean, to some it is literally their whole personality trait, as the internet likes to do so well. During my stay in Stockholm, I signed up for ClassPass to test out some of the Pilates hype that has flooded the media. I attended The Place STHLM - a fitness studio that hosts Mega-reformer classes in Sweden when I lived there for 6 months.

After taking classes, I saw why people crave it. It is a type of movement that requires extreme muscle-to-mind connection in a way that does not allow your brain to wander anywhere else. It also felt meditative. After class the instructor asked me how it was. I said, “Well, now I totally understand why Pilates is no joke.”

I mean seriously, the constant push, pull, contraction of slow movements creates a constant full body workout. As our conversation continued, I came to find out this was a Lagree Pilates class, which was described as “normal Pilates on crack.” Pilates is the art of micro, repetitive movements that target muscles and does a very good job at sculpting and toning. Lagree Pilates concentrates on the constant contraction of muscles, slowness, and control. So there is a constant push and pull between your muscles - they essentially are never not working.

Overall, it is why I became an instructor. I am convinced there is no amount of weight training that could prepare you for the intensity of Pilates.

CONCLUSION

Any kind of movement is good movement.
Barriers to entry for any type of fitness is a made-up construct. You just need the right mindset and an achievable goal.
There is no shame in not liking certain forms of movement. You can always find what works for you.
Just simply START.

Whether you are looking to start your movement journey or expand your fitness horizons, I hope my experience provided some sort of guidance. If you are looking to start your movement journey, I will be hosting a Pop-up Pilates Class this Saturday, July 11th at 10:00am at Preston Personal Training’s Ellicottville location. For more information, follow Preston Personal Training on Facebook or @buildwithbrynn on Instagram.

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Brynn Ackerman is a certified group fitness instructor and Preston Personal Trainer at Preston Personal Training located in both Olean and Ellicottville, NY. Brynn’s passion for health and wellness took her to Sweden where she studied one of the healthiest counties in the world to bring their lifestyle back home. For more information about her, visit her Instagram (@buildwithbrynn) or search her on Facebook.