Whether you join an exercise class or work out with friends, the group environment offers benefits beyond those you get from an individual workout. The best group environment varies from person to person. Some enjoy a fast-paced exercise class with loud music while other prefer a more serene yoga class. Choose a group exercise environment that matches your workout personality for the greatest benefits.
Socialization
Exercising with a group gives you a social experience that makes exercise more interesting than solo fitness pursuits. The group activity creates a sense of kinship because you are all going through the same thing. The fact that you all chose to participate in the same physical activity gives you something in common. This may serve as the foundation for long-lasting friendships or a stronger bond with people you already know going into the group exercise situation.
Commitment
Group exercise is typically scheduled at certain times and intervals. In the case of an exercise class, one reason the time is set so you feel more of a sense of commitment. When exercising informally with a group of friends or acquaintances, you also feel the commitment because your exercises partners expect you to show up. Individuals who exercise alone may come up with excuses not to exercise or cut a workout short when it gets difficult. The greater sense of accountability with group exercise may increase the amount of exercise you get.
Motivation
The other people you exercise with provide a source of built-in motivation. This is particularly useful if you are new to exercise, start a new form of exercise or engage in a particularly strenuous type of fitness, such as kickboxing or running. When you feel the urge to quit, your exercise partners provide the motivation to continue. You may also feel a sense of friendly rivalry with the others, which may push you to put forth more effort to keep up with or surpass your exercise partners.
Advice
Group exercise gives you access to a variety of experience levels. Your exercise partners may have valuable advice on exercise, diet or other aspects of fitness that help you further your own physical progress. If you notice a problem such as pain or lack of progress, others may have advice on getting past it. When taking an organized exercise class, you also benefit from the experience of the instructor for proper technique and safety.
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