If you’ve been to one of our classes, you’ve probably noticed we do a lot of counting! Interestingly, it’s one of the things that many of our clients seem to ignore the importance of. While it may just seem like the trainers just need help remembering what number we are on, the truth is there are many important reasons why we request that you count during class.

Reason #1 – Improved Breathing

Don’t laugh, but the biggest reason that we make you count is to regulate your breathing. In order for exercise to be effective, you need to be sure that you are breathing at the correct interval. Breathing properly will help facilitate the flow of blood to both your muscles and brain. With better blood flow comes an increase in oxygen, which means you’ll avoid feeling queasy or dizzy; both of which can lead to passing out! Many will argue that they can’t actually breathe and count simultaneously, but the fact is, you MUST breath during each rep so why not learn how to breath correctly by learning how to count? Think about each repetition as a three step process. The first step is to get into the proper starting position. Next, inhale as you begin to move through the range of motion. Finally, exhale (or count) as you finish the repetition.

Reason #2 – Improved Focus

The second reason that we have you count is because it helps you to focus and center yourself. We want you to pay close attention to each of the intricate movements of the exercise, your breathing, and of course, your instructor. This kind of sharp focus ensures that you are doing the exercise correctly, thereby reducing the likelihood of an injury and helping you make the most of your class. Doing a movement incorrectly when you are daydreaming or distracted can cause you to pull a muscle or injure yourself in some other way. In boot camp, movements are done in quick succession so it is important to make sure that you’re paying attention. So what’s the best way to keep your focus? You guessed it, make sure that you are keeping count!

Try counting for free!

If you need help with your counting, or would like to try a fitness boot camp class for free, just visit our main website and sign up for a free class today. Custom Fitness Concepts has class locations all across metro Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland so there’s a good chance you can find a location right near you – wherever that may be.