Though all the group fitness classes at UMass Amherst vary in terms of content, there’s almost always one common feature: a total lack of guys. A brave soul will make his way into 30 Minute Abs or Broga every once in a while, but for the most part, these classes are girl-dominated.
Without question, group fitness classes are a great work-out; anyone who’s ever done cardio kickboxing looks and feels like a drowned rat by the end of it, and trying to walk for the rest of the day after Spinning is a force. So what’s with the lack of bros?
1. Stigma
One possible explanation is the stereotype that group fitness classes are effeminate, or aren’t challenging because “they’re for girls.” While there are certainly some classes that might appeal more to females than males, group fitness instructor Natalie Saydah explains that all group fitness classes vary in purpose and difficulty.
“I know for a fact that my class would benefit guys; it’s not by any means ‘easy,’” says Saydah, who teaches a core and strength group fitness class called HardBody. “The things that I do are elite-level exercises that I got from experiences as a competitive junior Olympic gymnast, and sometimes even I struggle to get through my own class.”
Ultimately, the stigma that these classes are for girls needs to disappear; the difficulty of the class all boils down to the specific goal of the workout. The listings and descriptions of all UMass Amherst group fitness classes can be found here.
2. Intimidation
Another possible factor in this “girls only” phenomenon is intimidation. Most group fitness classes are both taught and attended by females, so one possibility is that guys simply feel a little self-conscious. If you were the only female in a male-dominated class with a male instructor, you would probably feel intimidated too.
In fact, Saydah notes that there is higher male attendance in classes that are taught by males. “There are two yoga instructors who are guys, and there’s always at least five boys in their classes whenever I walk by,” she adds.
Saydah also brings up that when guys continually see classes with primarily female attendance, they assume the classes aren’t for males. “I teach my class on the second floor of the rec center,” she says, “and when boys walk by and see through the windows, all they see is a bunch of girls in a class. A lot of them probably think that it’s an all-girls class, or that boys aren’t allowed to do certain fitness classes.”
Sophomore Ben Baptiste agrees. “My first instinct freshman year when I was walking by those classes was, ‘Oh, those are the rooms for girls,’ because the whole room was filled with them.”
To set the record straight, the classes are all-inclusive. In fact, according to Saydah, one of the rec center’s goals is to have more male involvement in the group fitness classes. “I try to stress that everyone is welcome,” she adds.
3. Different goals
A third reason for the low male turnout in fitness classes could be attributed to a difference in exercise goals. Saydah notes that cardio and dance classes are perceived to be fat-burning, weight loss classes, which isn’t often a goal for males. She adds that routines play a large role, too. “Some guys just have their routine set—they have leg day, arm day, etc. Not all guys are like that, but I think it’s pretty common occurrence. Some girls are like that too, of course, but it’s clear from the attendance ratios that cardio and dance classes are just perceived as more feminine.”
Sophomore John Carroll elaborates on this theory. “Guys don’t view [group fitness classes] as muscle-building classes,” he says, “And guys’ main goal is to get bigger and grow stronger.”
Baptiste agrees, stating, “From a guy’s perspective, going to the gym is for getting bigger and building muscle, and you don’t initially think dance or cardio classes will do that for you.”
This last observation also exposes a difference in the way that males and females think about exercise. Though by no means does this apply to all girls or all guys, the common trend appears to be that males exercise to put on muscle, while girls exercise to tone their bodies.
So what’s the solution?
Research has shown that a good workout is a balance of both cardio and strength training; therefore, classes like HardBody (a total body cardio and endurance class) or TRX Boot Camp (suspension training that builds power and increases strength) are both great ways to work up your heart rate and build muscle simultaneously. So, collegiettes, spread the word that group fitness classes aren’t just for girls! Above all, stay healthy and keep out the judgment—everyone has their own preferred system of working out.