Group Fitness Fails and Wins: From Jazzercise to Backyard Bootcamps

May 24, 2023

Let’s talk about group fitness. Love it? Hate it? Tried it once and swore it off forever?

Well, I’ve been there. And by "there," I mean gasping for breath during one 5 a.m. Jazzercise class, followed by some driveway push-ups and early morning walks, and maybe a class that may or may not have been legally considered Pound.

Let’s dive into my fitness class misadventures—and why finding the right group setting might make all the difference.

My One-Time Jazzercise Catastrophe

It was in Omaha. There was a Jazzercise studio down the street.
I got a wild hair and thought, “I can totally do a 5 a.m. class.” (Narrator: She could not.)
I showed up solo. There was a weigh-in. Why? No clue.
I stayed in the back row, panting, confused by all the choreography.
Pretty sure I faked an emergency and left early. Classic.

💡 Lesson learned: Not all group classes are created equal—especially if choreography is not your thing.

The Cousin’s Backyard Bootcamp (a.k.a. Social Sweat Sessions)

My cousin isn't a trainer, but she loves gathering women for social workouts.
We met at her house, and the sessions alternated between:
Driveway workouts (harder, and honestly… I tried to skip those).
Trail walks with fitness breaks (more my speed).
I even bought workout gloves for the cement exercises. #dedication

💡 Key takeaway: When it’s social and supportive, fitness feels fun—even at 5 a.m. (sometimes).

Rippers vs. Pound: Wait, Are We Drumming or Just Making It Up?

My cousin now teaches something she calls “Rippers” at her church.
It looks like Pound… but is it?
For reference: Pound® is a choreographed drumming workout using neon green sticks, often set to rock music.
As a certified Pound instructor, I love it because:
I don’t have to yell instructions.
The class follows simple patterns with cues.
And let’s be honest—it feels awesome to hit something.

💡 Pound vs. Rippers? If you’re leading a class, certification matters—for safety and for good vibes.

So… Group Fitness: Yay or Nay?

If you’re like me and don’t love traditional cheerleader-style group fitness classes, you’re not alone.

But here’s what I’ve found:

The right format (hello, rock music and sticks!) can make a huge difference.
Social workouts > solo misery.
Just because one class didn’t work for you doesn’t mean none of them will.

And hey, sometimes pounding the floor with neon sticks is exactly the therapy you need.

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