Strength in Numbers: The Benefits of Group Exercise
July 23, 2015
Making the decision to go out and exercise by yourself can be daunting and make fitness seem like a drag, but when you aren’t alone there are immeasurable benefits that will make your workout more sustainable and enjoyable. The Road to Wellness 5k was created with 2 main intentions in mind: 1) to inspire health through activity and 2) to celebrating community. For this reason we think group exercise is the best kind of exercise.
The accountability of working out with others is likely to make the frequency with which you work out more consistent, at least at the beginning of your fitness journey. This type of positive peer pressure can serve as motivation to go workout after a long day because you know your workout buddy will be there and is counting on you.
Additionally, fitness groups provide an outlet for social interaction. By participating in group fitness you have the opportunity to meet new people. It’s the same idea as being on an athletic team in high school; while becoming healthy you are simultaneously forming friendships.
The friends that you make through group fitness will serve not only as companions but also as a support system. Because of this camaraderie, those who you exercise with are not your competitors but instead your biggest fans. Group fitness is all about celebrating growth and improvement, and the encouragement provided by workout partners can enable you to keep pushing past your limits and believing in yourself.
This summer there are many different outlets where you can participate in group fitness and find the type of workout that best suits you. For starters, you can come to Road to Wellness 5k training days every other Saturday including this upcoming Saturday July 25th at Playstead Park in Franklin Park. Additionally, the Boston Parks Fitness Series is offering a wide selection of outdoor group fitness classes throughout the community including Zumba, Yoga, and Boot Camp among others. You can find the full list here.