YMCA Healthy Living Magazine, powered by n4 food and health (Summer 2015) | Page 19

Marietta Mehanni
Marietta has been teaching group fitness classes (both land and water-based) at YMCA centres
since 1990. She is an award-winning Australian presenter and Australian Fitness Network
Ambassador with over 25 years of instructor experience. Marietta is also the World Master Trainer
and Education Coordinator for Gymstick International, and a Pelvic Floor Ambassador for
Continence Foundation Australia. To find out more visit www.mariettamehanni.com

THE BENEFITS OF
GROUP FITNESS
Group fitness instructor Marietta Mehanni explains the history and benefits
of exercising with others.

erobics” is the original name
coined by Dr Kenneth Cooper
in the late 1960s, for what is
typically now called “group fitness” or
“group exercise.” Back then classes
consisted of many repetitions of high
impact moves and choreographed
dance routines, and instructors were
typically ex-dancers or regular fitness
junkies. There were a lot of leotards and
leggings back then too!

“A

As the industry has grown and become
more professional, group fitness has
also evolved. Instructors now are
required to be qualified and registered
with various fitness organisations to
ensure their knowledge and skills are
kept up to date. These days, “aerobics”
class styles have diversified to include

modalities such as indoor cycle, Pilates,
boxing and yoga.
Group fitness has grown in popularity,
particularly among those who enjoy
exercising with others.

The benefits of group fitness
For many people, a class format is a
time-efficient and cost-efficient way to
successfully enhance fitness and
muscle tone. Other benefits of
exercising with others include:
• Having an instructor to provide
constant supervision.
• Having an instructor can help
motivate you and entertain you,

which can help encourage you to
keep returning.
• Doing different classes means you
never lack variety in your fitness
regime, so you won’t get bored.
Classes may also involve the use of
equipment (e.g. cycle, steps,
barbells, dumbbells), which can be
difficult to replicate at home or in the
gym.
• Having a friend or a group of
acquaintances to exercise with can
be more fun than doing it by yourself.
There are a range of group fitness
classes on offer at your local YMCA
centre, with something to suit every
age, fitness level and interest. Check
out the timetable in your local centre or
see reception for details.

SUMMER 2015 YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE

19