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Gym Fitness

What Is Group Exercise?

So, what is group exercise exactly? Find out everything you need to know about group exercise in our latest blog. Read now!

Published: 4/22/19

 

What Is Group Exercise?

If you’ve ever stepped foot into a cycle studio, tried out a Zumba dance class at your local gym or fitness center, or joined in on a quick yoga session, you have been a part of a group exercise class. So, what is group exercise exactly? ‘Group exercise’ simply means that a body workout is led by an instructor or trainer in a group setting. You can find a group exercise class to fit any and all of your fitness needs. Whether you are looking for group exercises for seniors (like our Silver Sneakers classes) or are brand new to the gym—group exercise is a smart way to get healthy with your peers. And as research shows, that may be the best way to do it.

So, what are the benefits of group exercise, and why should you be doing it? Let’s get into it, here.

Get “Personal” Training

If you have hit a plateau in your personal training or started from scratch with little to no experience working out, you have probably considered hiring a personal trainer. Most of us who have made that consideration have also seen the hefty price tag that comes along with it. Sometimes, that leads people to stray away from their fitness goals altogether.

But, when it comes to group exercise vs personal training, group exercise offers you a certified professional in a group setting who is there to guide you through the strength training moves and make sure that you have the perfect form—all at a fraction of the cost.

Keep It Interesting

Because most gyms offer multiple types of classes, you can mix up your total body workout as much as you want with as many instructors as you wish. Let’s say for example, you want to strength train with BODYPUMP, then add in Zumba classes for aerobics, and try out a Yoga class mid-week to give your body a little rest and streeetch—you can do all of this with group class! With most gyms and exercise studios offering several classes, the group class combinations are seemingly endless—meaning that you will never get bored and will be able to challenge your body in many different ways whether it be through cardio, tai chi, or endurance movements..

Make Friends

Research shows that we are likely to try to match the activity levels of the people around us. At Chuze, we have created these small communities where you can build lasting, meaningful friendships comprised of people who are dedicated to their health. Whether you are making friends with your instructor, or the person sweating it out right next to you, you are expanding that peer group and more than likely building a community around you that will help you to achieve your fitness goals.

Stay Accountable

While group fitness classes don’t yet offer to pick you up from your couch,  convince you to go to the gym, and complete a total body workout, they do provide accountability by way of sticking to a class schedule. When you start to fall in love with the classes that are right for you, you will need to find out when to get to your fitness  class and on what days. Since most classes close their doors once the scheduled fitness class time starts, there is a huge incentive to not only get to your workout but to get to it on time. Beyond that, once you are in the group fitness class, you are more likely to complete the entire exercise.

All of that time spent trying to convince yourself to finish 30 minutes of cardio, only to call it quits after 10 minutes just to go home and watch Netflix will be no more. Once you enter your 30-min, 45-min, or 1-hour group exercise class, you will be there until it ends, surrounded by people who will motivate you to finish and finish strong.

Stay Motivated

Did you know group exercise can help you stay motivated? Group exercise instructors are there to not only guide you through the strength training workout, helping you with form and learning the moves, but they are also there to push you beyond where you think you can go. Sometimes our heads tell us we are done before we’ve pushed ourselves far enough. A group exercise instructor will be able to see that and motivate you to go the extra mile. The other motivating factor is seeing the other folks in the class working for the same goal as you. Everyone is in that room for the same reason, and it can be a powerful motivator to get your workout done and get it done to the best of your ability.

Whether you want a low-impact group exercise workout like yoga, indoor cycling, AquaFit, or Barre, or you want to join in on a heart-pumping class like Zumba, BODYCOMBAT, or BODYPUMP, group exercise has what you’re looking for. You may even want to consider our Team Training sessions which offers the encouragement of a personal trainer with the support of a group. We offer group exercise classes at all of our locations. Stop in, say hi, and tell us what you are looking for! You can check out the group exercise schedules near you on your location’s page.

 

Reviewed By:

Ani is the Vice President of Fitness at Chuze Fitness and oversees the group fitness and team training departments. She’s had a 25+ year career in club management, personal training, group exercise and instructor training. Ani lives with her husband and son in San Diego, CA and loves hot yoga, snowboarding and all things wellness.

 

 

Sources:

  1. Radcliffe, Shawn. “People Who Exercise in Groups Get More Health Benefits.” Healthline. Updated on 24 September, 2017. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/exercise-in-groups-get-more-health-benefits
  2. “How to Choose the Best Group Exercise – Group Exercising Options.” Spooky Nook Sports. 30 April, 2021. https://www.spookynooksports.com/blog/manheim/how-to-choose-the-best-group-exercise
  3. “9 Benefits of Group Exercise Classes & Case Study.” OriGym. https://origympersonaltrainercourses.co.uk/blog/group-exercise-benefits

 

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