3 reasons why training in a group is even better
by John Harris Fitness
You know what's awesome? Playing sports. You know what's even better? Meeting new people who love sports and fitness as much as you do. Group fitness training is a huge trend right now - and rightfully so. Whether it's with friends or in a group full of strangers, there are many great reasons to join a group workout. You haven't trained in a group yet? Then you should definitely give it a try. Read here how working out in a group can help you get ahead.
Motivation
Researchers have already proven in various studies that even Facebook friends from afar motivate you to exercise more and perform better. Working out with other people not only drives us, it's also simply more fun. After all, humans are social creatures.
If you're not the type of person who jumps out of bed at 5 a.m. and goes straight to the gym, then it could be that you too sometimes find it difficult to motivate yourself and, above all, stay motivated. You are definitely not alone! But that's where the biggest advantage of group training comes in. Many people who take part in a course are totally exhausted from everyday life at the beginning, but as soon as they have joined the group and started training, they suddenly get completely new energy again. Even the best fitness trainer, who constantly challenges you, can't motivate you any better than a group. When you work out with others, you not only support each other, but also benefit from a healthy competitive spirit.
Another benefit? When you train with people who are already faster, stronger or fitter than you, you're automatically pushed to give even more of yourself, which ultimately effectively increases your fitness level. Often, the group is exactly what you need to keep going. When you feel like you can't do it anymore, the group will show you that you can. The group will give you the motivation you need to keep going.
Sense of duty
The hardest part of getting fit is not the training itself, but getting started in the first place. Planning to follow through with your training plan is different than actually doing it. That's why it's important to make some sort of commitment here - and that is a lot easier with a group. Reliable training partners help you stick with your workout and you motivate each other to reach your goals faster.
In addition, the "fear" of remarks by the group, because lateness or even cancelation, is too great. There are also some trainers who record every tardiness or even give penalty burpees, penalty laps and so on. Of course you don't want to be late. And if you are absent for a few weeks, the others will also take notice and ask where you are. Creating a sense of obligation can help immensely in creating a training routine. So what are you waiting for - it's time for a training group.
Sense of Community
It's in our nature to want to be around other people and spend time with them. Humans are social creatures, of course there are some hermits, but the majority of us love to laugh, joke and have fun with other people. And nothing brings us closer than shared experiences, like shared sorrow or shared success. This is also one of the biggest benefits of group training. When you join a workout group, you're not just getting in shape, you're joining people who are experiencing the same things you are. They're facing the same challenges and can relate to the same feelings you get when you've achieved another personal best. Sharing these common experiences makes training all the more enjoyable.
Training together is one of the best ways to meet like-minded people and build a common bond while working toward your athletic goals. In a world where we are so dependent on emails and our smartphones, working out in a group provides the very human interaction that is increasingly being lost in other areas of life these days. We can do virtually anything today without talking to a person. Now that doesn't fit with a group fitness setting at all. In group training, you have to be committed.
And how do you feel about group training? Do you often train in classes or are you more of a loner in the gym?
