Why Group Fitness Is a Solid Investment in Your Health
Are you trying to save money by working out by yourself? How is that going for you?
Group fitness may be intimidating if you feel you are not in the best shape. You might tell yourself you’ll join a gym after you lose a few pounds.
However, many people realize that working out on your own schedule in your garage or in your back yard is not always the most effective method. They find it easy to slack off, wander over to the fridge to get a snack, and get bored.
Group fitness is the ideal way to build healthy habits that will last a lifetime. You can usually find group fitness classes near you that are affordable, and they may prove to be an investment that will pay off for years to come.
1. Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is not necessarily a bad thing, especially when it comes to a group fitness class. You will find you push yourself just a little bit harder, and last a little bit longer, when you are surrounded by others pursuing the same goal.
If you all share the same objective, you can encourage each other. Even some good-natured teasing can be enough to push you a little harder.
You will find that on a rainy or cold day, you will still pull yourself out of bed to go to your class. You won’t want to let down your buddies or let them think you aren’t strong enough to take it. If you were working out on your own, you would be far more likely to stay under the covers.
2. Community
When you join a fitness club or class, you will find a community of like-minded people. You will meet people who share your desire to be healthy and look good.
Going to class becomes more than an exercise routine. You will see your friends, catch up on their lives, and assess how you all are doing – in both your fitness objectives and other parts of life.
You become accountable to others. You show up when you say you will “see them tomorrow.” You learn what is new in the fitness world, and in the wider community – you realize you are not alone.
3. Motivation
Often, a great group fitness instructor will be a terrific motivator. Someone who looks good and practices what they preach can inspire you to take your fitness to a whole new level.
Your teachers and classmates will motivate you to keep going when you are tired or burnt out. They will encourage you when you don’t reach your goals, and praise you when you do.
4. Fun
Face it, fitness is more fun with others. You can blast music, gossip, and laugh together.
Exercise will become something you look forward to. It will become a favorite pastime when you have fun doing it, instead of a dreaded routine undertaken to simply lose weight.
And when you enjoy what you are doing, you are more likely to do it more often.
5. Variety
Variety is the spice of life. If you do the same thing over and over, eventually you will get sick and tired. Then you will stop.
A good group fitness class will not present the same routine day in and day out. It will change things up.
This is important for more than just your psyche. Good fitness requires letting parts of the body take a break to repair every few days. Your trainer should teach you about switching off different muscle groups so some can recover, in order to get even stronger.
You also need to switch it up with cardio, interval training, and other options to keep your body and mind engaged.
6. Healthy Habits
Signing up for a group fitness class may be the first of many healthy habits you can train yourself to adopt. Committing to regular exercise that requires you getting out of the house and making it through sixty minutes with other people can be the first step.
Once you start appreciating the fun of group exercise, you may find yourself picking up other healthy habits. Your new friends may invite you out for a smoothie after the gym, instead of a beer. You may find yourself drinking more water instead of sodas or energy drinks.
Once you start hanging out more with others who prioritize health, you may start paying more attention to nutrition. You will learn more about how to alter your diet, so you lose weight and have more energy.
You may also find yourself getting up earlier rather than staying up late in front of the TV. You will sleep better, feel more rested, and be generally happier and more serene as you continue to pick up more and more healthy habits.
7. Friendship
If you see people every day, you start to get to know them. You learn about their families and careers. You confide in each other about breakups, triumphs, disappointments.
Many people refer to their “gym families.” These may be people they have known for years who have seen them transform mentally and physically. When you go through that kind of change with people, it can create a lifelong bond.
8. Improved Fitness
The net benefit of all of this community, friendship, and camaraderie? Better fitness!
The more you exercise, the better your body and mind will feel. The more you learn about new forms of exercise and nutrition, the healthier you will get. The longer you can sustain your record, the more likely you are to create habits that will sustain you throughout your life.
And that life is sure to be longer and better, based on these changes you make in your lifestyle.
Group Fitness: Healthy Habits for Life
Group fitness may cost a few dollars more than a run in the park. It may be scary at first, especially if you have not seen the inside of a gym for a long time. However, it is a fun, effective way to make fitness a part of your life instead of something to be endured.
For more information on how to start a new healthy lifestyle, contact us.
