Only about 23% of adults in America are getting enough exercise. What’s more, it’s recommended that adults between the ages of 18-64 get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week.
The truth is, with everything we juggle in our lives — work, kids, a never-ending to-do list — it may seem like exercise would be another thing to add to our list. But what if you make working out a fun, essential part of your week? What if it’s something you can look forward to?
Have you considered joining a group fitness class? Group fitness classes are an exciting way to incorporate exercise into your life and offer a host of health benefits.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to learn about 7 benefits of joining a fitness group.
1. Lose Weight
Nearly two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese. If your goal is to lose weight, and keep it off, a group fitness class can help you achieve that.
People lose weight when they create a calorie deficit. This is when you burn more calories than you eat.
You can reduce your calorie intake and lose weight. However, exercise helps you burn more calories. Even if you lose weight by eating fewer calories, exercise helps you maintain that weight loss.
2. Reduce Risk of Disease
Getting the recommended 150 minutes of exercise every week can also reduce your risk of certain weight-related diseases. For instance, exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease. Heart disease is one of the top causes of death along with stroke.
What’s more, you can decrease the risk of diabetes through exercise. People who workout are also at a reduced risk of developing certain cancers.
Additional Health Benefits
Regular exercise also helps strengthen your bones by slowing down the loss of bone density. For older adults, exercise can decrease your risk of falling. Working out can also help with arthritis.
3. Be Part of a Team
In addition to physical health benefits, there are mental health benefits you can gain by joining group fitness classes.
Studies show that just feeling like you’re part of a team can increase your motivation. The feeling of teamwork also can push you to complete a difficult task even if you’re working by yourself.
A study had participants get together in small groups. Then, the participants went to a separate room to solve a puzzle alone. The participants were given as much time as they needed to solve the puzzle.
Half of the participants were given a handwritten note from another participant that they met in the small group earlier. For the participants who believed they were working as a team with other participants, they spent 48% more time trying to figure out the actually unsolvable puzzle.
The research shows that those individuals who believed they’re on a team worked harder. The same can apply to a group fitness class. By working out with others, you can work harder and gain health benefits.
You might even be motivated to workout outside of classes to keep up your fitness regimen.
4. Hold Yourself Accountable
We’ve all done it. We say we’re going to wake up at dawn for an early morning run. We set our alarms, but we end up sleeping through it.
Sometimes we need the motivation to get in shape. A regular group fitness schedule can help you hold yourself accountable. If you know that the class starts at a certain time each day, you’ll feel motivated to show up.
What’s more, you can have a buddy join you in your class, and you can motivate each other to go to each class.
Also, since you paid for the class, you’re not going to want to skip class and let your money go to waste.
5. Work With a Professional
Another major benefit of group fitness classes is that you work with a professional.
A professional workout instructor can help you maintain the right workout form. This can help prevent strain or injury especially if you’re a beginner or have never done the types of workouts the classes are offering.
Working in a group setting is also more affordable than hiring a personal trainer. You get the benefits of working with and learning from a group fitness instructor.
6. Make Friends
It’s not as easy making friends when you’re an adult. It used to be as simple as going to school and meeting your future best friend on the playground. Now, we have to actually seek out social interactions.
If you feel like your social life is getting a little stale, a group fitness class is a great way to meet new people and make friends. You all already share something in common: you want to be healthier.
7. Push Yourself
One final health benefit of joining a group fitness class is that you get to push yourself. Maybe you’re already working out alone, but you’re feeling unmotivated. You’re doing the bare minimum.
A group setting can help you push yourself and workout with more intensity. What’s more, a group class can help you push yourself mentally by trying something new. You can try an exercise that you’ve always wanted to try such as a HIIT workout.
By trying something new, you will also learn more about yourself and your likes and dislikes. Maybe you thought you would love yoga, but instead, you fall in love with kickboxing classes.
Learn More About Joining Group Fitness Classes
In addition to the above health benefits of group fitness classes, you’ll have fun. You’ll join others who are looking to improve their health.
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