6 Surprisingly Cool Benefits of Group Fitness Classes, According to Experts
Before I was a fitness editor here at Well+Good, I dabbled in TRX, Bodypump, and Zumba classes in college as a way to meet new people. I loved how community-driven these classes were, how motivational the instructors were, and how I didn’t have to think about planning my workouts—I just showed up and followed along. But thanks to a mix of my first Big Girl Job and COVID-19, I had to forego my love of working out with others, settling instead for solo workouts in my home office.
The mental health hit was surprising: I missed the friends I’d made, and I longed for someone to push me when things got tough. And it makes sense: “You’re surrounded by people with a shared goal of improving their health and wellness,” says David Fajardo, head coach at Orangetheory Fitness in South Jordan, Utah. “It’s not just the coach motivating you, it’s other members creating a powerful support system in both the workout and in life.”
So when I was invited to the Orangetheory Fitness Momentum Convention in Nashville in September, I got to take an Orangetheory Fitness class and was thrilled to be working out with people again—the extrovert in me felt *so* energized. Of course, if you’re more introverted and you enjoy solo exercise way more, this isn’t to pressure you into spending money on a studio membership or working out with a bunch of strangers. (We promise!) But allow this to be your gentle push, because as it turns out, there are quite a few benefits of group exercise classes that you might not experience working out alone.
1. There’s a sense of community
One of the biggest perks of going to an in-person workout class is the fact that there’s others sweating it out with you, day in and day out. “The coaches and staff genuinely care about each member, and that sense of support extends to the rest of the community. Often, members form lifelong friendships because they’re all working toward self- improvement—together,” Fajardo says.
Certified group fitness instructor Lindsey Clayton, chief instructor and talent development lead at Barry’s in New York City and co-founder of Brave Body Project, an online run coaching service, agrees.
“There’s an undeniable sense of togetherness and community,” she says. “As a fitness instructor, my clients have truly become like family. They cheer me on when I’m running a marathon, they show up on my birthday or my wedding anniversary with cards and flowers, and they take a general interest in my life outside of what happens in a 50-minute workout class. And that goes both ways—it’s exciting to be able to show up for them during their workout but also if they’re celebrating a big milestone or if they’re going through a tough time.”
2. You’re held accountable
Going hand-in-hand with becoming friendly with those who show up to your class each day, those people also make great accountability buddies. For one thing, you might push yourself harder when you have some competition around you versus when you’re following a Pilates video in your living room, for instance.
“The energy and motivation from a group setting are unmatched,” Fajardo says. “You’re pushed, encouraged, and energized by the people next to you, and there’s a sense of camaraderie in doing something challenging together.”
Even if you don’t go all-out during your class, you have a better chance showing up at all—and continuing to do so. “[Group fitness classes] provide a sense of accountability,” says Bryan Clark, regional fitness education specialist at Orangetheory Fitness. “In a group setting, you’re not just working out, you’re connecting with coaches, staff and fellow members who often become more than just familiar faces. Those connections turn into friendships, which then create an additional layer of accountability, helping you stay consistent and committed to your fitness journey.”
“Everyone in that room is there because they want community and connection.” —Lindsey Clayton, chief instructor at Barry’s
3. It’s good for your health and longevity
Group fitness classes offer the same physical benefits that solo exercise does: stronger muscles and bones, a lower risk of health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, and stroke, and injury prevention to name a few, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Where group fitness shines is the mental and social benefits it has to offer. For instance, a 2018 study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings observed a connection between playing “social” sports—like tennis—and living a longer life. More specifically, people who participated in physical activities with others had an increased life expectancy of 9.7 years on average compared to sedentary individuals, while solo running increased life expectancy by just 2.3 years.
What’s more, a small 2017 study in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine found regularly exercising in a group lowered people’s amount of perceived stress and increased their physical, mental, and emotional quality of life (compared with people who regularly worked out on their own or didn’t work out at all).
4. You have access to trained fitness pros
Unless doing a ton of research is your thing, most people don’t have the time and energy to figure out proper form for each exercise and make modifications to certain moves if needed. Taking a group fitness class takes the guesswork out of everything, leaving it to the trained professionals.
Every group fitness instructor undergoes rigorous training so they can program workouts for all fitness levels and abilities and be able to answer questions and make on-the-fly suggestions or corrections for people in their class. For example, every Orangetheory Fitness coach is required to hold training certifications from nationally accredited organizations, like the American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), or the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), to ensure they have a strong foundation in fitness and exercise science, Fajardo explains.
“In addition, every coach goes through our own intensive in-house certification process,” Fajardo says. “This includes training on how to lead a great class and how to make real-time adjustments for members of all fitness levels. Whether someone is recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic health conditions, or is just starting out, our coaches are experts at modifying exercises so that everyone gets a safe, effective workout.”
Clayton emphasizes the importance of group fitness instructors being able to work with people on an individual basis. “When I program a group class [at Barry’s], it’s always multilevel, meaning it can cater to beginners in the fitness space all the way up to the most advanced client,” she says. “Every exercise I program comes with a way to modify and advance the movement and we always encourage modifying to make the workout work for you. As instructors, it’s our job to make programming that’s accessible and safe for everyone while providing real-time form corrections and feedback on performance.”
5. You don’t have to think
Because your instructor programs workouts for you in a group fitness class, you don’t have to create your own workout program or scroll through thousands of on-demand classes to find one that sparks your interest that day. You just walk into your studio and follow your coach’s instructions.
“A group fitness class is a place clients go to to be led by a certified professional who will construct a program that’s smart, efficient, and progressive,” Clayton says. Basically, your brain gets a break—your only focus is making sure you get a good sweat.
6. It’s just fun
A small 2020 study in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology found that those who took group fitness classes had feelings of enjoyment and pleasure afterward. If you’re someone who thinks a group fitness class is the complete opposite of a good time, there’s no harm in giving it a one-time shot. Who knows, you may surprise yourself.
“Just rip the Bandaid off and try,” Clayton says. “Understand that you might not fully get the vibe or flow of the class on the first time, but fully allow yourself to be present in the space, pace yourself, and just have fun. Everyone in that room is there because they want community and connection in addition to getting a great workout. If they didn’t want that, they could do their workout at home on an app. Say hi, smile at people, give someone a high five. Be the energy that you want to attract.”