Top 7 Benefits of Group Exercise

If you find it difficult to maintain a health and fitness regime, struggle to hold yourself accountable when training alone, or simply don’t know where to start, group exercise or training sessions are a great way to boost your wellbeing. 

Regular physical activity helps reduce the risk of disease, strengthens bones and muscles, and improves your ability to perform everyday activities. It has a number of mental benefits too, such as reducing stress, because exercise releases endorphins in the brain which improves your mood and makes you feel good! 

But it can be so hard to stay motivated. While we are aware of the many mental and physical benefits of exercise, we are also aware of the many challenges regular exercise brings. To give you a gentle nudge, we’ve developed this blog. 

Top 7 Benefits of Group Exercise 

1. Group Exercise Holds You Accountable 

It can be so easy to hear your alarm go off in the morning and decide to hit snooze instead of going to the gym. But, if you are going with your friends, it’s so much harder to let them down. It’s also harder to turn off your alarm and go back to sleep when you’ve booked into a class at a set time that has a cancellation policy and you’ll lose your deposit. 

2. Group Exercise Reduces Stress

While all exercise has been shown to reduce stress, it has been suggested that group exercise is particularly effective. A study published in 2017 showed that participants who partook in group exercise documented a reduction in stress and an improvement in their quality of life, in comparison to those that did individual exercise. It is important to note that both groups that participated in any exercise, whether it was group or individual, reported a reduction in stress greater than those who did not exercise at all. 

There could be many reasons for this. You do not have to think about the exercise that you are doing – the instructor will tell you what to do. This can be a stress relief for some people who just want a break from thinking. It could also be because you get the added benefit of being social, spending time with friends or like-minded people. 

3. Meeting New People

Group exercise classes facilitate a way to meet people who are likely to share similar interests. Going to regular classes or attending a regular studio provides a sense of community, which is valuable to your mental health and wellbeing. Even if you have nothing else in common with the other people in your classes, you have a shared love for the exercise you do (or the benefits it bestows)!

4. Group Exercise Improves Your Form 

Many exercise classes are led by qualified instructors or personal trainers. If you are attending a group exercise class instead of individual gym workouts, the instructors can give you tips to improve your form so you get the most out of your workouts. This can lower your risk of injury as well, so you don’t strain or sprain any muscles during your workout. 

If you do find yourself suffering from an injury, do not hesitate to contact City Physio – we have same-day appointments available and can get you checked out and back to your group exercise classes in no time. 

5. Group Training Provides a Variety of Exercises

With most group exercise classes, no two classes are the same. You might focus on your core one day, the next might be leg day. If you are the type of person who gets bored doing the same exercise over and over again, joining a group exercise class will be a great way to get some variety into your exercise routine. 

6. It Can Add a Competitive Edge 

If you participate in a competitive group exercise, such as joining a social sport team, it can add a healthy competitive edge to your workout. When you win, you may gain a sense of pride and achievement. When you lose, it can help to build your resilience. Both are important to your wellbeing and mental strength. 

7. Teamwork 

Group exercise classes give a sense of being a part of a team, which can help you to improve your teamwork skills. Feeling like you are part of a team with a group of people is beneficial, and can make you work harder which will increase your health benefits. 

Different Types of Group Exercise 

There are many different types of group exercises offered by a number of different studios and groups across Adelaide and South Australia. Whether you like to be part of a structured class with an instructor, or if you like to get your friends together and go for a group run or cycle, there is sure to be something that suits you and your lifestyle. 

We have compiled a (non-exhaustive) list of some of the most popular group exercises that you can incorporate into your fitness routine. 

Yoga 

Yoga has so many benefits for the mind and body. The key physical benefits include flexibility, muscle strength, improved respiration and breathing, and balance. Yoga is also loved for its mental benefits, such as decreasing stress and anxiety, and some studies even suggest yoga improves cognitive function including memory and information processing. There are a number of yoga studios around Adelaide that take group classes, including hot yoga, Bikram yoga, vinyasa yoga, yin yoga, and more. 

Gym Classes 

Many Adelaide gyms offer classes that can complement your own individual workout routine, or there are also a number of dedicated studios that specialise in exercise classes, such as HIIT, bootcamp, or CrossFit. A lot of these classes combine cardio with strength training, which is great for improving muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness, with the additional benefits of improved fitness and weight loss. 

Spin Classes 

Indoor cycling, or spin classes, are another great option that works to improve your cardiovascular ability, as well as your leg and core muscle strength. Cycling is a low-impact exercise, meaning it’s easy on your joints, but that does not mean it’s an easy exercise. It is one of the best workouts you can do to improve your cardiovascular ability, as well as build your leg and core muscles. 

Pilates 

A Pilates workout improves posture, flexibility, strength, balance and body awareness. There are a number of Pilates studios across Adelaide that offer group classes. 

At City Physio, we offer clinical pilates sessions. While maintaining a general focus on strength and balance, you’ll have a physiotherapist taking each patient’s concerns into consideration and can reach treatment goals better than regular pilates. Read more about our clinical pilates here. 

Cycling Groups

Hopping on your bike and going for a bike ride with a group of friends has numerous health and wellbeing benefits. You can get a group of friends together and head off, or you can join a cycling group that already rides. Chat with your friends or people in your local bike shop, as they might know of some groups you could join! 

If you have had a break from cycling, don’t let it stop you from starting again! Read our tips on how to get back into bike riding after a break. 

Running or Walking Groups 

Getting a group of friends together to go on regular group runs or walks is a great way to hold each other accountable, as well as reap the social benefits. It is also a great way to get amongst the outdoors. Read about the importance of maintaining your passion for outdoor activities. 

If you’re new to running, check out our guide to choosing a proper pair of running shoes. 

Team Social Sports

Team social sports are both a fun and exciting way to get some fitness and exercise into your routine. There are a number of social competitions that don’t require any prior experience or ability to play, for sports including netball, basketball, futsal, volleyball, soccer, touch, cricket, and more. 

Kickboxing 

There are kickboxing studios all over Adelaide if this is something that tickles your fancy. Kickboxing is a full-body workout that targets the legs, arms, glutes, back, and core. Read more about the importance of maintaining core strength. It helps you to increase flexibility, burn calories, improve coordination and increase cardiovascular fitness in a fun and positive environment while building self-defence skills.

How Can City Physio Help?

We understand the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health. We promote spending time on your fitness routine, but in a way that you enjoy and love. 

Group fitness activities are not immune from presenting any injuries. If you do find yourself injured, City Physio has a range of treatments that can help you get back on track after suffering an injury. 

Your wellbeing is our number one priority, and we will look after you through your journey to wellness. Our range of treatments includes manual therapy, such as stretching, joint and spinal manipulation and mobilisation, and manual resistance training. We organise and implement exercise programs, such as muscle strengthening programmes and pilates. We are highly skilled in specialised soft tissue techniques, and dry needling.

Contact City Physio Adelaide to enquire about an initial consultation with one of our physiotherapists. Call 8212 4886 or book online using the button below for an appointment.

Sources 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171030092917.htm 

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