Many people join gyms or fitness boot camps because they want to lose weight and they enjoy working out with others. Exercising alone can be boring, and it's easier to stay motivated when you know other people are expecting you to be in class. Creating a fitness habit and losing weight can both be enhanced by participating in group exercise. According to the American Council on Exercise, group fitness programs such as boot camps can increase adherence to an exercise routine while crating a fun and challenging environment.
Options
There are many types of group exercise activities available. Some of the more popular options are boot camps, cycling or Spin® classes, aerobics classes, dance classes, core conditioning, yoga, pilates and water aerobics. Training with a running group for a race is another popular option. You can find group classes at most fitness centers. You can also visit a running store and inquire about group training available in your area.
No matter what your interest, there is probably a class you can find that will excite and motivate you to exercise and lose weight.
Benefits
People who take group classes may succeed at weight loss more than those that exercise on their own. Developing a relationship with your classmates creates a sense of accountability that can be a powerful motivator. When you exercise with others, they help to encourage you and you help to encourage them. This creates an environment that encourages consistency, which is vital to success in weight loss.
An instructor can increase the quality of your exercise. An instructor will make sure you are doing exercises correctly, and can make sure you are progressing safely and efficiently through fitness levels.
Group classes such as boot camps may also have a nutrition program to follow, which can help if you are confused about what to eat for fat loss.
Considerations
If you have tried to create a fitness habit before and have failed, you may benefit from group training. Also, if you have tried to lose weight before but have struggled to succeed, you may find that a fitness boot camp or other comprehensive weight loss and exercise group program may work for you. It's OK to try a lot of different classes in order to find one that works well for you. If you are new to exercise and don't know what you may like, consider joining a gym that has a lot of different group classes. If you want to get the most out of your group exercise experience, make sure you introduce yourself to the instructor and develop a relationship with her.
Start Your Own
Start your own group fitness program to motivate you and your friends to meet weight loss goals together. Some options include a walking group held at a park or mall, a running group that trains together for a 5K or half-marathon, a kickball team, a volleyball team, or a group that meets once a week at a rock climbing wall or roller skating rink. The options are endless, but the benefits are the same: group camaraderie, accountability and fun. To make weight loss a team effort, include a weight loss challenge as part of your group. Competition among friends can be fun and motivating.
Become a Team Player
Many people fail at weight loss because they see exercise as a chore. Combining your weight loss efforts with a group fitness routine can make your healthy lifestyle goals a fun part of your day rather than another chore that needs to be completed. The differences between making yourself follow an exercise DVD at home by yourself and meeting friends for a game of Frisbee are vast, and can mean the difference between a lasting weight loss and another failed attempt at losing weight and getting fit.
Member Comments