Quick summary: Exercising with other people gives you motivation, safety and social contact on top of the physical gains, which is why group programmes are so easy to stick with. Research cited in this article suggests people stay with group fitness more often than with solo routines, and regular exercise is linked to lower stress and anxiety, better sleep and more energy. Trying a few different group formats is a practical way to cover every part of fitness and enjoy it.
Building physical exercise into your daily routine is one of the most important things you can do to preserve good health. According to Archway Communities (Why Physical Fitness Is Essential, 14 October 2021), people who are at a healthy weight and physically active live seven years longer on average. Being active also helps prevent or delay ageing-related illnesses and chronic diseases, so independent living and quality of life are preserved for longer in active people. The World Health Organization’s physical activity fact sheet sets out the wider case.
Why exercising with others works
Getting together with friends to exercise gives you the chance to be active and to enjoy regular social contact at the same time, which helps prevent social isolation and keeps everyday activity going. It is not hard to see why a dance class linked to better body image and less social anxiety works so well. The strains and stressors of daily life are balanced out by group exercise, which helps keep your daily rhythm steady. Regular group sessions also boost peer motivation, because participants and workout partners can support one another and reach fitness goals together.
Group exercise has plenty of other advantages besides mutual encouragement. Activities such as biking and trekking are safer in a group because participants watch out for one another and offer aid or instruction when needed. You are more likely to follow through if you have booked an exercise class or planned a stroll with a friend, because the wish not to let your buddy down can greatly influence whether you turn up. Once your fitness programme becomes second nature, possibly after a few weeks, it feels less difficult and you are both more inclined to keep your promise. On the days when you do not feel like working out, a motivational word from your exercise partner can be just what you need. You can help one another. The same pairing of body and company shows up in the physical and social benefits of adaptive cycling.
Taking part in physical activity can improve self-confidence and self-sufficiency at any age. Higher rates of peer acceptance may also help counter some risk factors for juvenile delinquency. Physical activity can provide opportunities for social interaction and reduce feelings of loneliness or exclusion.
When you exercise with a group, you may feel the highs and lows of exercise even more. A simple victory produces a fantastic sense of accomplishment, and your resilience grows as you learn to handle the disappointment of a setback.
It is all about the endorphins
Exercise has a lot of benefits, and these are just a few:
- Reduces stress: regular movement helps release tension built up through the day.
- Sharpens memory: staying active supports clearer thinking.
- Feelings of happiness: exercise lifts mood.
- Stimulates new brain cells: exercise may help the brain create new cells.
- Assists relaxation: a tired body finds it easier to settle.
- Improves self-discipline: this can help people overcome addiction.
- Lowers anxiety and depression: regular activity is linked to better mood and calmer nerves.
- Boosts energy: you often feel more alert after a session.
- Improves sleep: active people tend to sleep better.
- Increases creativity and productivity: a clearer head helps ideas flow.
What the research says about sticking with it
Similarly, there is solid evidence that people stick to group fitness programmes more often than they do solo exercise programmes (see Burke et al., 2006, Group versus individual approach? A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity, and Harden et al., 2015, Understanding for whom, under what conditions, and how group-based physical activity interventions are successful: a realist review). A qualitative study in Japan, Regular group exercise contributes to balanced health in older adults in Japan (Komatsu, Yagasaki, Saito and Oguma, BMC Geriatrics, August 2017), points the same way. The Australian Institute of Fitness (Small group training vs group fitness) and the Australian Government Department of Health (Group exercise classes) also cover the topic.
Types of group exercise to try
There are many types of physical exercise. Cardiorespiratory workouts include kickboxing, hi-lo floor aerobics, indoor cycling and step. Other programmes feature hip-hop, jazz and salsa, and some involve physical contact with punching bags, including kicks and punches. Kickboxing combines boxing and martial arts with a vigorous cardiovascular workout. Resistance training may be included in a session, while indoor cycling keeps you off the weight room floor. Yoga and Pilates are examples of mind and body classes that focus on tying the mind and the body’s physical activity together, and these classes have become much more common in well-known studios.
The fitness business has made group workout sessions a staple. It is worth asking about new formats to find out how difficult they are, whether you will need specialised equipment and whether there will be a price. Do not be afraid to try something new, because engaging in a range of activities is one of the best ways to maintain health. If you can routinely commit to several different forms of group exercise, you will cover all the components of fitness and have a ton of fun (Barclay’s Physical Therapy).
Jordaine Placide is a writer and creative with an interest in faith, psychology, personal development and research. Through her writing, she hopes to share knowledge and inspire readers to see everyday experiences from new perspectives. You can find her on LinkedIn and Instagram.
