Effective Group Strength Training

Strength training has long been a popular component of group fitness programs. With a wide variety of styles to choose from, participation is high. According to the 2006 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Survey, 77% of respondents reported offering group strength training classes (Ryan 2006). Traditional formats that focus on cardiovascular training have been overtaken by those that emphasize slower, more strength-based conditioning.

The term group strength training describes anything from a traditional sculpting class to a prechoreographed class set to music. Other popular formats that incorporate strength training into group fitness include hybrids such as “step and sculpt,” and boot camp–style classes, which incorporate both cardiovascular and resistance drills into a fast-paced circuit workout.

Today’s instructors have access to a great assortment of equipment for group strength classes. In addition to dumbbells, barbells and tubing, instructors can choose from kettle bells, CorePole®, Gravity Training System (GTS)™, weighted vests and gloves, medicine balls and stability balls, to name just a few. With all this variety comes a great responsibility to offer safe and effective classes, regardless of the equipment or programming choices that are made. It’s important to be aware of common injuries that occur in group strength classes and to know how to minimize risk (for both the participant and the instructor).

To be continued

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Catherine D'Aoust at GAIA Adventures, Personal Training/Kinesiologist, Workshops
www.gaiaadventures.com
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