If you’re easily bored, then ClassPass could be the answer to your dreams, well your fitness-related ones at least! The new subscription service to take London by storm and already super-popular in the US, the deal is that you pay a monthly fee (anything between £59 and £79) and for that you get access to over 200 gyms and studios in the city. Which means if you’re a jack of all trades and like to mix up your workouts, then you can try anything and everything on offer. Think Pilates in your lunch break, barrecore after work, and maybe a spot of aerial yoga before bedtime… My head hurts at the thought, but seriously, the choice is yours. The only rule is that you can’t visit the same venue more than three times in any given month, but this is hardly a major problem when you have so many different sessions and studios to pick from.
But is it a bit like being a child in a sweet shop? Too much choice can be confusing and, in some cases, can leave you heading for the hills with sugar overload. When faced with so many options, we can become disillusioned. Who’s to say which is the best workout and the effect it’s having if you’re constantly chopping and changing? I can see the benefits for those with ultra-busy schedules that take them to all four corners of the city, as it means that wherever you are, you have access to a gym or class that takes your fancy, and let’s face it, some exercise is better than no exercise. In that respect, ClassPass is incredibly useful and will hopefully revolutionise workout patterns, particularly if it spreads to other cities in the UK.
But there’s also something to be said for tradition. There’s more to exercise classes than simply getting fit – what about the social aspect? We make friends, build up camaraderie and encourage each other to try harder. These relationships are important to foster as they can carry us forward on the bleakest training days. Then there’s the instructor. We get used to a certain style of teaching and learn to trust the class leader, which makes us feel more confident and able to perform at our best. It can be difficult to then go elsewhere because we’ve developed a kind of loyalty to the people and the place, and it would feel wrong to break that.
Personally, I like the idea of being able to dip in and out of different venues and get a feel for what they have on offer, but I’m also a creature of habit. So for now, I’ll stick with my usual classes whilst building up the courage to venture into fitness pastures new!
