Half Squats and Horrific Lunges

Every time I walk by any group fitness room and peep inside a Pump Class I get goosebumps and shivers down my spine.

I see half ROM (Range Of Motion) squats.

Internally rotating knees (knees that roll inwards) on lunges.

Romanian deadlifts with spines in the shape of a tempura prawn.

All rushed through at a 120 BPM (beats per minute) tempo.

What a great combo for terrible posture and lack of gains.

This is why I will never be a group fitness instructor.

It doesn't line up with what I believe in.

People don't lack motivation, they lack education.

People are motivated to eat healthy, they want to lose the fat on their stomach.

That's their motivation!

They just don't really know what a calorie deficit is or what food to eat to create one.

They lack education!

The only reason these group fitness classes are packed full of people is because they don't know what to do unless they're shouted at by someone with a microphone dancing around on stage.

If I told them that training to full ROM promotes more muscle being recruited per rep and therefore would lead to more muscle being built over time, they may squat differently.

If I also let them know that internally rotating knees in a lunge could lead to knee injuries, knee surgery or long term discomfort, they may focus more on tracking their knees over their toes in their lunges.

I could also tell them that deadlifting with a rounded back can lead to spinal damage, bulging/slipped discs and a lot of pain and rehab.

Though the weight that's being thrown around in a group fitness class isn't really heavy enough to do any damage (or build muscle), they may not get injured but they sure as hell don't learn anything in that 45-60mins which would make them better outside of that room.

Maybe they could learn how to work hard and sweat for 45-60mins but they're still relying on someone to shout at them to be active. Once they leave that room, they are still in oblivion to what they actually need to make a true transformation.

Education.

Think of #TeamBrockAshby as the reservoir of information you need to make your transformation happen.

P.S. If you want to do Group Fitness classes because of the social element or you genuinely like that style of fitness go ahead and do that. Do what you love and what makes you happy. Everyone has different goals.

BUT...

If your goal is to build muscle, get better technique and continually apply progressive overload to increase in strength, you may struggle at any of the top group fitness companies.

No names will be mentioned 🤣