For a lot of people, working out can be a dreadful activity. It can be time-consuming, unenjoyable, overwhelming, and even intimidating. If this is you, don’t worry; you’re not alone. However, it’s one of the best ways to keep ourselves physically and mentally healthy. Consistently working out reduces the risk of noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. But, as we know, mental health is equally as important. When you exercise, your brain changes a series of chemicals. Serotonin and endorphins increase while stress hormones decrease, resulting in a more positive and happy mood. I’m sure we can all agree that the pros of exercising outweigh the cons.
But where do you start? What can you do to make working out more enjoyable? How do you know what works best for you? Fitness classes have been shown to motivate people to exercise because they offer a social aspect while also providing a great workout and instilling confidence. Luckily for us, San Diego is full of fitness studios that provide free trials for potential members! It’s nice because they don’t expect you to commit to a membership if you don’t want to, and it’s a fun way to explore different workouts for no cost at all! Here is a list of fitness studios that offer free trial classes that are worth a try:
- Orange Theory is excellent if you’re looking for a challenging workout that burns fat while building muscle. It’s a one-hour full-body HIIT and cardio-based training that improves endurance, strength, and power. Led by trainers, Orange Theory has arm monitors that track your heart rate and calories in real time. There are 8 different locations around San Diego, and they offer the first class for free! Just call any location and ask!
- Core Power Yoga is a more active type of yoga than typical yoga. It is physically intense and transformative while still centered around mindfulness and spirituality. There are five different types of classes offered, ranging from beginner to advanced, so you have the freedom to choose whichever you feel the most comfortable doing. Go online and sign up with your email address and you can get a week of free classes!
- If you love riding bikes and prefer cardio, then Rush Cycle would be a great option! Rush Cycle offers an indoor spin class with a motivating instructor and ambiance to push you through the class. Also, they have an app that tracks the calories you burn and the miles you’ve ridden, so you can challenge yourself! They have three locations in San Diego. All you have to do is sign up online for a free class!
- Last but certainly not least, as Aztecs, we are given access to the Aztec Recreation Center. A lot of people don’t know that there are all types of group fitness classes offered within our membership! From dance exercise classes, to weight lifting strength classes, to yoga, to barre, to ab-focused workouts, and more. There are enough classes to try and decide what you like, plus it’s on campus making it convenient. There is a schedule online that displays all the classes and their times, varying from 6 in the morning to 7 at night. It’s a cool system that you should definitely take advantage of it while you can!
Out of all these options, you’re bound to find a workout that you find enjoyable! Prioritizing consistent exercise will benefit your health immensely, so why not try it out? Bring a friend with you can and make a day out of it, it will be worth it!