Should I Leave My Safe Virtual Fitness Bubble?
a gal who isn't ready to brave the real world
Recently I’ve been craving in-person group fitness classes. There is something so unifying and transcendent about a high-quality, in-person group fitness class. I’ve been to a few in-person classes recently and they just barely scratched the itch. But I also struggle with my own pride.
I know I’m a talented group fitness instructor (I’m trying to hype myself up more often). I’m very knowledgable, attentive, and friendly. I care. I’m a good programmer and I create a welcoming environment. These facts make it extremely hard for me to take other people’s classes. There have only been a few in-person classes I’ve ever been in where I truly trusted the instructor to keep my body safe and create a space where I could modify movements without judgement.
I find it really hard to get out of my head during in-person classes. I analyze the instructor’s cuing and the programming of the class. Worst of all, I compare myself to other participants. It often just feels like an icky environment for me.
During the pandemic I had my sweet, safe bubble of virtual group fitness. I fully trust Lara Heimann to create LYT classes that are safe and functional. More recently, I found Kara Duval’s online platform. Her pilates classes are fun, energetic, safe, and efficient. I love my bubble of virtual group fitness. I’m off-camera, doing what I want. I can stop the class when I want to, take pee breaks whenever, and wear my pajamas.
When I was in Boulder last weekend for my Bridal Council Summit, Makena, Lara, and I went to a few group fitness classes together—three pilates classes and one dance class. There was something so joyful about taking in-person classes with your friends. I was on cloud nine.
I was dreading the dance class because I’ve never been a particularly comfortable dancer. But the dance instructor created the most welcoming environment and made us all feel like she truly wanted us there. I haven’t had that much fun in a group fitness class in… maybe ever? I walked out feeling like I had found a great definition of joyful movement for me: dancing + friends + welcoming environment + shaking your booty + good music + camaraderie = joyful movement.
The whole dance class I kept thinking about how I could find more high-quality and joyful in-person group fitness classes in Arlington. But I found myself falling back into cynicism. Too expensive. Inexperienced instructors. Unsafe environment.
As the pandemic lessens and we reenter the real world entirely, I’ve been considering what that means for my bubble of virtual group fitness. I can’t imagine my weeks without Lara Heimann or Kara Duval. I don’t intend to give up those virtual platforms. Virtual group fitness allowed me to find instructors that I trust and respect outside of my local community and I am incredibly grateful for that.
But I do still crave the in-person fitness experience. The music, the people, the energy. I teach in-person group fitness classes right now (which I love), but it is so different being a participant. I’ve tried many local group fitness classes. Some were better than others. Am I willing to sacrifice my pride and expertise just to feel the energy of in-person group fitness? Maybe. And maybe it won’t have to be a sacrifice. Maybe I can find a knowledgeable, safe instructor who teaches joyful classes. Maybe I just need to find another me?