At Cajun Fitness, we think gym workouts should be fun. Instead of dragging yourself to the fitness center, you should be excited to learn and record your progress.
To help our members enjoy their fitness journeys, we offer a variety of Les Mills classes. No matter what kind of workout you’re looking for, you can find something to enjoy among our offerings.
If you like to hit the gym hard, our HIIT classes are for you. We have two 30-minute options: Grit and Sprint. Grit focuses on building strength and increasing lean muscle through the use of body weight, weight plates, and barbell exercises. Sprint burns calories, tones, and improves cardiovascular fitness through cycle training.
For those who want to get their heart rate up, we have several Les Mills cardio classes:
If you want to build strength, we’ve got just the classes for you:
The 45-minute Tone class is an excellent option for anyone who wants to focus on core exercises and toning. As a low to moderate impact workout, it’s a good option for those just getting into fitness.
Dancing is a great way to express yourself while getting fit. At Cajun Fitness, we offer the BodyJam class (55 minutes of intense, street-inspired moves) and Sh’Bam (a 45-minute calorie-burning workout).
Fitness isn’t just about pushing your body — it can also contribute to your mental health. BodyFlow uses Pilates, tai chi, and yoga to expand your range of motion, improve flexibility, and enhance your mental wellbeing.
Sometimes you just can’t make it to a scheduled live class, but don’t want to skip an exercise session. Cajun Fitness’s Les Mills virtual classes help you get fit throughout the day and around the clock. With state-of-the-art instruction and in house equipment, you can stay motivated and keep moving forward.
HIIT stands for "high-intensity interval training." It involves fast pacing designed to maximize in the shortest possible time. Each set lasts around 30 seconds at near maximum capacity (about 80—95%), interspersed with very brief rest periods.
This approach activates more of the "fast-twitch" muscle fibers and keeps your heart rate elevated in the most sustainable way. That's why we structure our HIIT classes around 30-minute sessions — just enough time to fully reach your limits (and then quickly exceed them).
Understandably, many new and seasoned gym-goers alike ask, "Why do HIIT instead of something more even-keeled? How much better is it than basic cardio or weight training?"
HIIT can maximize your gains in the shortest possible duration, achieving much greater effects than alternatives in just a fraction of the time. It's perfect for busy professionals who don't want to sell their fitness ideals short on account of life pressures. High-intensity workouts are also the ideal way to increase human growth hormone (HGF), which has a tremendous effect on longevity.
There are also many psychological benefits to HIIT. Training is much more effective when it challenges the mind and the will. By all accounts, HIIT sessions are extremely uplifting, and most people report an unshakable confidence after even a single group session (humbling as it is).
Further, these benefits compound over time as your body adapts to a regular flurry of hormones known to optimize physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
The answer to both is a resounding yes. Gaining muscle and losing fat are both possible and likely, with HIIT. Yet keep in mind the two require very different types of exercise. That's why Cajun Fitness offers two types of HIIT classes:
All exercise carries inherent risk, but so too does not exercise. It's almost always possible to exercise around injuries using a modified routine, taking extra care to mind your body's signals. In fact, for all but the most debilitating injuries, abstaining from exercise for extended periods is ill-advised.
While that applies to almost any type of physical activity, bear in mind that HIIT involves more "plosive" (fast and aggressive) movements. Even when free of pain, HIIT exercises require a more diligent approach to injury prevention overall. HIIT may not be suitable for those with chronic joint injuries, heart conditions, or other risk factors that preclude sustained exertion.
By all means, tell your trainer about any joint pains or other problem areas prior to class. They can provide alternative exercises adapted to your needs, creating a more enjoyable and productive experience without incurring further risk.
Done wisely, HIIT can actually reduce your chance of injury by striking the right balance between intensity and recovery. If you have a good fitness baseline, you could do as many as five 30-minute sessions per week, and even three will have a dramatic effect.
Those exploring which exercise is best for them can also reap immediate rewards with HIIT. In all cases, it's necessary to rest as hard as you train. Training should always strike the right balance between challenge and inspiration. Especially at first, respect your limits — but with a mind towards rapidly expanding them.
Like any exercise modality, HIIT requires sustained commitment, and it's much easier to do with a group of like-minded individuals. Contact Cajun Fitness to jump-start your fitness with more intensity and passion.
Cajun Fitness offers classes at all of our locations with early morning and late evening options. To learn more, you can call your nearest Cajun Fitness Center.
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