Exercising is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but it can be difficult to maintain motivation if you're going it alone. It's not uncommon to lose enthusiasm and give up on your goals when there’s no one around that shares the same vision as you.
Fortunately, exercising with friends has its own unique benefits that will help make physical activity something more enjoyable and easier to stick with in the long run. Let's discuss why working out in a group setting can improve your overall health and well-being.
Motivation matters
If you find it hard to get up and get moving, having someone to exercise with can make all the difference. Through peer pressure and encouragement, members of a private gym or a group exercise class can motivate each other to reach new goals together.
Having friends to train with makes exercising more fun and encourages many people to reach higher levels of fitness and performance than they could on their own. Even something as simple as having someone wait for you at the gym each day can be enough motivation to get your sweat on.
The power of peer pressure should not be taken lightly. When you surround yourself with like minded individuals who strive to become better, you create an environment that will help achieve your fitness goals faster.
Finding kindred spirits
Staying motivated to make fitness a regular habit can be tough, but having someone who understands how to give you the boost and accountability needed can make all the difference. Thanks to the internet and social media, it's never been easier to find kindred spirits with similar goals and interests.
Whether it's the virtual encouragement of online personal training groups or joining proactive conversations on social networks dedicated to health and wellness, connecting with like minded people through digital means has become popular among those looking for extra motivation when tackling physical fitness goals.
Finding community of fitness peers can add an extra spark to reigniting your motivation, no matter what kind of challenge you're facing, both physically and mentally.
Have fun together
Working out together with family and friends can be a great way to stay healthy while having fun. It doesn't always have to feel like a chore. By spicing up your routine with creative activities, you can get your heart rate going in an enjoyable way.
Yoga is one of the best ways to get the group involved, as it works on both strength and flexibility and can be modified depending on everyone's skill level. Partner poses offer further opportunities for shared laughter and enjoyment, so give it a try if you're looking for group exercise ideas like yoga classes - once you get started, you'll never want it to end.
Accountability is key
Having a dedicated group of friends to work out with can be an incredibly powerful tool in helping you achieve your fitness goals. Setting realistic goals together, holding each other accountable and checking progress on a regular basis can make it much easier to stay the course.
This 'buddy system' could even prove more beneficial than hiring an expensive personal trainer because you're doing it with peers that want to see each other succeed and are likely more understanding when others need each other’s motivation or help. Keeping yourself physically active is important for both mental and physical wellbeing, so surround yourself with people who value exercise and make sure you never give up!
The importance of variety
Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but it can quickly become tedious if the same routine is repeated over and over. Variety is essential to keep things interesting and prevent burnout. There are plenty of ways to vary your fitness routine from changing up the exercises you do to mixing up your environment or doing something entirely new, like yoga or dance.
Exercising with friends can also be an easy way to introduce variety into your routine since you're more likely to try different activities that one another suggest or alternatively come up with ideas together.
Joining group classes or outdoor training sessions with friends has the dual benefit of providing motivation as well as fun opportunities for trying out something new. Ultimately, introducing variety is beneficial in both physical and psychological ways and a great way to stay on track with any exercise goals.
Making it stick
Group exercises present unique opportunities for individuals to boost their motivation and hold each other accountable for staying on track with a healthy routine. Creating rewards systems or engaging in friendly competitions, such as who can do the most burpees in a minute, can serve as positive reinforcement and make physical activity much more enjoyable from session to session.
Research has also shown that people tend to be more successful at psychological tasks when working together in groups, so although it might take extra effort to find friends or colleagues who share your commitment towards better health, it is worth the effort in the end. Reaping the benefits of collective motivation makes sticking with exercise much easier in the long run.
