5 Health Benefits of Exercising in a Group Fitness Class

Are you one of those people who always swear to start a fitness routine at the start of every new year? Then you find yourself a few weeks later too tired to get up early, but promising to start your workout the following Monday. You’re not alone! Getting motivated and committed to an exercise workout isn’t always easy. But, doing it with a crowd could be what you need!

Why not do what other Australians are doing and sign up for group fitness classes Sydney locals have discovered? This helps them stay motivated and energised while having fun.

You can try yoga, Pilates or bootcamp classes. Build your endurance together in cycle classes or get into a peak state with a high intensity spin group.

No matter what takes your fancy, getting fit in group exercise classes is more exciting and the benefits are more far reaching than you think.

5 Health Benefits of Exercising in a Group Fitness Class

1. Increased Endorphins for Better Mental Health

There are more than enough studies proving the benefits of exercising for improving your mental health. Getting physical causes changes in the brain’s chemical levels such as endorphins, serotonin and stress hormones. When certain levels rise, you instantly feel a positive lift in mood, self-esteem and energy.

While exercising in a group, you do even more for increasing your endorphins. Smiling and laughing while interacting with others in the fitness class immediately releases more endorphins into your body. You’ll end up feeling more confident when doing a workout with others and be energised and motivated to exercise on a regular basis.

2. Better Chance of Weight Loss

If you fall into the 60% of Australians wanting to lose weight, you may be wondering what’s the best way to do it. Diet fads come and go, often with very little success. Health experts are suggesting that focusing on a healthy lifestyle is more successful for weight loss than getting caught up in the dieting rollercoaster ride. And, this includes physical activity in a social context such as joining a gym in Moore Park or exercise class.

More people are inclined to stick to a group fitness class as part of a weight-loss programme than seeing a diet plan through to completion. The health benefits of joining an exercise class aren’t limited to changing your mood—it also encourages you to live a healthier lifestyle.

3. Cardio Fitness for a Healthier Heart

Another health benefit of signing up to group fitness classes is a healthy heart. Cardio exercises improve your body’s blood circulation while strengthening your heart. This results in more oxygen throughout your body and mitigating the risk of heart diseases developing. Cardiovascular exercise helps to lower the risk of the following conditions:

• High cholesterol
• Heart attacks
• Coronary artery disease

Cardio fitness helps to keep your blood pressure and triglyceride levels on a healthy, even keel. Both are essential for a healthy heart and body. In addition, physical activity ensures you have strong bones, joints and muscles, all beneficial for a strong heart and overall health.

Performing cardio exercises in a group keeps you motivated to keep up the routine while reminding you of all these benefits.

4. Increased Fitness for Overall Wellbeing

One of the major benefits of exercising as a group is being challenged to push yourself harder. When working out as a group, you’re more inclined to want to match others’ pace. And, if you perceive someone is doing better than you in the class, you’ll feel motivated to improve your fitness goals. You may go faster and do more than when you’re excising on your own.

Competitive team sports often boost your desire to increase your fitness levels so you won’t let the other players down.

This is how joining a workout that entails competing with others or another team will increase your fitness levels. And with better fitness and more exercise than usual, you’re improving your overall wellbeing.

5. Having Fun Helps Install Healthy Habits

It’s far easier to stick to something when you’re doing it with a buddy than going it alone. Exercise becomes more enjoyable when doing it with your partner, friend or another gym member as you laugh and motivate each other through each workout. Also, having fun while working out as a group helps you to create healthy, long-term habits.

Living a healthy lifestyle requires good habits and daily practices that support your mind, body and soul. Positive social interaction is beneficial in helping you stick to the habits that serve you best. And, one of the best ways to do this is to engage with other people seeking a healthy lifestyle for themselves.

Final Thoughts

Physical activity, whether it’s slow or fast-paced, has many health benefits that support your general wellbeing. Signing up for a group fitness class helps you to stick to your new year’s resolution of living a healthier lifestyle.

Getting fit can be fun when done with a like-minded crowd so find your tribe and look forward to your workout routine on a regular basis. There’s no need to get sweaty all on your own!