Finding the Most FUN Workout…
The UK winter was bleak.
Dark mornings and far too much rain… motivation was dropping.
Then I tried Clubbercise with a mate, and it completely changed my mood.
So I went on a bit of a mission.
I booked a range of local classes around Chesterfield (trying to pick ones you can find across the UK), all with one goal:
Find the MOST FUN workout.
I gave each class a fun score
…and at the end, I picked a winner (the one that made me smile the most).
Below are my experiences at each class with a fun score and intensity score ⭐️
The classes I chose for this mission are all community classes, so they are PAYG and accessible without needing a membership.
Bungee Fit
I was scared about booking this,
I was secretly hoping there wouldn’t be one close enough 😆
But it was way more fun than I expected.
Getting into the kit at first is so weird, and it feels so scary to let yourself swing in it
It feels like you are going to face plant the floor 😂.
The instructor sets you up in the kit and makes sure you feel comfortable before starting.
I spent half the class laughing, my mate set me off, and I couldn’t stop.
By the end, my abs hurt from laughing as much as the workout itself.
Once we got into it, it actually felt like:
solid core work
decent cardio (low impact & nice on joints)
and a big comfort zone push
It’s one of those classes where I think the more you go, the harder you can work.
The instructor was fab, she helped you get confident moving in the bungee and didn’t push anyone to do anything they didn’t want to.
Coming out of the harness was maybe even weirder than getting in it, your body feels so heavy having to hold your own weight again 😆
I felt a little bruised where the harness was sat around my thighs, this is normal, some people will see bruising, others will just feel it, this is something that your body would get used to over time.
I would defo go again.
Fun Score: 4/5
Intensity: 3/5
(I think both scores would increase if I went for a second time)
The Jungle Body
I loved this class immediately.
The instructor’s energy was unreal, the music was varied, and I had a smile on my face the whole time.
The variety of music styles and exercises is what made it brilliant for me:
dance
boxing
floor work
aerobic-style cardio
The dancing included some styles that I’d never done before, and I couldn’t get all of the dance moves straight away, but the whole vibe was fun, not serious dancing, so you laugh at yourself and carry on.
Before each track, the instructor demos the moves coming up
this helps you get a good workout because it’s easier to follow, and you get a little breather in between each track.
I liked how hard I could work in this class while smiling and laughing.
The music was energetic and very motivating, I like when you recognise songs you like in a class.
You can push the intensity or keep it low impact; options are given throughout, so it’s suitable for all levels.
Fun: 5/5
Intensity: 5/5
The Jungle Body with Elaine - Shirland, Derbyshire
Clubbercise
As soon as the lights went out, I knew I was going to love it.
Glow sticks, dark room, and disco lights set an energising atmosphere.
I enjoyed the dance music,
there were older tracks from the 90s which I loved, and more recent tracks too.
The second time I went was even more fun because I knew the routines a bit more,
and I’d pre ordered glow sticks…
they defo make the arm movements better and make it more fun.
The instructor gave cues throughout and ran through the moves coming up slowly at the start of the track,
her energy was fab through the class, motivating everyone and getting us to ‘woop’ to the music.
I was reminded that jumping jacks and shouting “HEY” is not a joke.
Pelvic floor work is never done 😆
You can take the class at your own level of intensity, options are given throughout for higher impact moves.
I think if you’re nervous for a class then the dark room really helps you feel a bit better.
Fun: 4/5
Intensity: 4/5 (higher once you know the routines)
Line Dancing
This was completely new to me.
And honestly, it was exactly what I needed on the night.
I was a bit tired from the higher energy classes, and this was a perfect lower-impact option that still felt fun.
It’s less about sweating and more about:
coordination
learning a new style of dance
moving as a group
enjoying the music and dancing
I had to concentrate on the routines; it actually felt quite mindful.
The music was fun and upbeat; I got way too excited when Shania Twain came on 😆.
The instructor was lovely, she taught us the steps and helped us progress gradually until we were ready to do the whole track together.
Line dancing was a really good way to move in a low-impact way, increase the daily steps, meet lovely people, have a laugh and learn a new way of moving, definitely a class for all levels of experience.
Fun: 3.5/5
Intensity: 2.5/5
(Brain work: 5/5)
Boogie Bounce
This did not disappoint.
I’d wanted to try this class for years.
The bouncing to the energetic music is fun from the start.
Even if you mess up a move, you’re still bouncing, so you feel like you’re working out for the whole class without feeling lost in choreography.
It was easier to follow than I expected.
The instructor was fun and encouraging, and gave clear exercise instructions throughout.
I genuinely thought I was flying towards the roof… until I saw the footage and realised the bounces were tiny 😆
It’s:
great cardio
surprisingly hard work
and low impact on the joints
I was a bit worried about pelvic floor in this one but I was fine, and the instructor offered toilet breaks throughout.
As a runner, this felt like something I could add in without extra stress on my body, it was a really good workout but without the harsh impact.
I feel like this class is an amazing option for all fitness levels,
I think it’s hard to find a low-impact workout that’s loads of fun and such a good cardio workout (unless you love spinning).
Fun: 5/5
Intensity: 5/5 (low impact but great cardio)
Pole Dancing
I went to a ‘mixed ability’ pole dancing class at Dakini.
This was a very different workout from the rest, as it was more of a strength class.
I found it hard work, but SO much FUN!
It’s so important for women to build and maintain muscle as we age,
but going to the gym isn’t for everyone, so I think this is an amazing option for strength building.
We started with mobility and core work, which honestly felt like a workout on its own, then moved into spins.
My spins did not look graceful, but I loved trying.
After the fun spins, we moved on to more pole work.
Because it was a mixed-ability class, we were set exercises that matched our own strength, so it felt like a personal training session, which was brilliant!
The instructor, Tara, was so encouraging and really helped push my comfort zone (in a safe feeling way).
Everything got worked on: arms, back, core, and even legs.
I needed loads of rest in between the moves I was trying, but I loved the challenge.
I found the class so inspiring, being surrounded by strong women doing incredible moves on the pole.
I left thinking, “I can’t wait to book on again”
Fun: 4/5
Intensity: 5/5
Zumba
I used to teach Zumba years ago, so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel going back.
But OMG, I loved it!
There’s a wide variety of music styles, but they all have that ‘zumba’ beat, and I absolutely love the energy.
You can take it all at your own level; it’s easy to adapt the moves to what feels good for you.
I love that the Zumba moves don’t feel too technical or serious.
I love the music, the energy, the moves and the whole ‘zumba’ vibe - there’s a reason I used to teach it 😆
I really enjoyed the music choices and routines at this class.
The instructor, Anna, felt like she gave extra…
We had coin belts for one section of the class (scarf-style belts with jingly coins attached, which made hip shaking 10 times more fun 🤩),
and we did a track with the Zumba toning sticks.
At the end of the class, she dedicated the stretch song to me, it was about running 😃 that was so nice!
It was a super friendly group and we all ended the class dancing around to the ‘500 miles’ song, a fab way to finish the class.
Fun: 4.5/5
Intensity: 4/5
And the WINNER is…
I had such a good time pushing myself to try new things.
Every class ranked high because I enjoyed them all in different ways.
For me, the winner is Jungle Body.
I actually went straight back… and enjoyed it even more.
It’s the:
music
energy
styles of music
exercise variety
how hard I could work
This is obviously a personal choice on what I enjoyed the most as a FUN workout,
but I honestly enjoyed every class in different ways.
Below are some special mentions for different classes…
Elaine, The Jungle Body Instructor.
Special Mentions…
Second Place:
Boogie Bounce is amazing cardio, low impact, easy to follow, great energy, and nice that it’s not harsh on the body.
Best for Strength:
Pole felt completely different, more of an inspiring, slightly painful kind of fun 😅… I’ve already been back because I want that strength.
Biggest Laugh:
Bungee Fit, honestly, my abs and face ached from laughing. When I go again, I will be able to focus on the workout more because I’ve had a session getting over the actual funniness of it 😆
Bungee Fit Giggles
Final Thoughts
I run. I lift weights.
But now I’ve got so many more options for the days when I just want to move in a fun way.
If you’ve been wondering what these classes are like, I hope this helps you go and try something new.
All of the instructors and groups were so welcoming.
A massive thank you to everyone who let me film in their classes.
As an ex-fitness instructor, this mission felt special.
Being back in that environment reminded me just how much work, energy, and love goes into these fitness classes.
It might sound daft… but I did get a bit emotional at times, thinking about my old classes and clients, and how much I loved that job… although I’m not sure I’d hack it now 😅.
