Moms Matter – Group Exercise Might Be the Answer [SPONSORED]

Hopefully you're still going strong with your New Year's resolutions, but if you need a little extra push, we are here to help!

It can be hard to find ways to stay dedicated to your goals if you have little ones you need to chase and chauffeur from place-to-place. But there are options out there that can help you stay with it, like the Independent Health Family Branch YMCA in Amherst.

One of the hardest parts of working out can be a lack of motivation--how do you get exercising if it's not something you're looking forward to? The easy answer there--find a way to look forward to it! One of the best ways to do that is to avoid isolating yourself, because self-motivation can be very difficult. Group exercise can be the best way to adjust your workout routine to see results.

In fact, the American College of Sports Medicine says that group exercise can be better than individual exercise in a ton of ways. Some of the key reasons:

• It's social! A group class with music pumping and a teacher interacting with you can be much more fun than using a machine in silence with your headphones in, which will encourage you to come back for more. Many people quick exercising out of sheer boredom.
• It can be safer! We are not all certified trainers, and we don't have all the answers and techniques necessary to work out safely. By exposing yourself to others (particularly instructors), you can make sure that you're not going through motions and exercises improperly, which will reduce your risk for injury. Can't workout if you're hurt!
• It can combat time constraints! It's easier to quit a workout routine if you simply don't have time for it. When you've had a long day, the last thing you want to do sometimes is get trussed up and head to the gym. However, if you have a firm schedule you can stick to and a quick, effective 30- or 60-minute class, you can plan around it, get in and get out!

For more information, visit the Independent Health Family Branch YMCA online.