Group Fitness: The Non-Scale Results That Matter Most
We live in an age where our devices are our closest companions, and streaming platforms offer endless distractions. While digital convenience has its perks, it’s increasingly leaving people feeling isolated. Loneliness is now considered a major public health issue, as our social interactions become confined to screens and digital chats. Chronic loneliness can potentially shorten a person’s life by several years, with some studies suggesting it could be equivalent to the health risks of smoking 15 cigarettes a day, potentially taking up to 15 years off a lifespan depending on the severity of social isolation and loneliness.
But there’s a place you can go where the results have nothing to do with weight loss, the number on the scale, or inches lost: group fitness classes.
For many, the appeal of group fitness extends beyond the physical benefits. It’s about building a community, gaining accountability, and finding a reason to put down the phone and connect with real people face-to-face. Group fitness provides a third space—an essential place outside of work or home where social interaction and personal growth can thrive.
Getting Off Your Phone and Into the Real World
We’ve all been there: endlessly scrolling social media or binge-watching Netflix shows for hours. It’s an easy habit, especially when you feel too tired or unmotivated to do much else. But this digital routine often leads to feelings of disconnection and isolation. Group fitness offers the antidote.
The act of physically going to a gym or studio pulls you out of the virtual world and places you in a room full of real people—each of them sweating, pushing their limits, and, most importantly, interacting with others. It becomes a natural way to strike up a conversation or even form friendships. Fitness classes, by design, pull you away from your phone and into the present moment. In that room, it’s all about shared effort, eye contact, and real-time encouragement from the people around you.
As Mikala Jamison pointed out in an article for The Atlantic, group fitness classes offer a sense of community that isn’t always easy to find. Jamison’s experience teaching indoor cycling gave her the warm, welcoming, and encouraging environment to foster connections between participants. “People that met in my class started dating; strangers went out for coffee,” she wrote. Her experiences reflect the idea that group fitness classes can be a powerful vehicle for adult friendships and connections.
The laughter, camaraderie, and collective effort of the group create an opportunity to interact with others in a way that’s increasingly rare in our screen-obsessed lives. The “ridiculous” nature of a room full of grown adults flailing, shouting, and working hard together is the perfect recipe for breaking through the usual barriers that keep people disconnected.
Accountability: You’re Not in This Alone
One of the hardest parts of starting any fitness journey is staying accountable. It’s all too easy to hit snooze on your alarm and skip your workout when you’re exercising solo. But in a group fitness environment, there’s a level of shared responsibility. You’re not only accountable to yourself—you’re accountable to the people in the class who expect to see you.
Knowing that there are others suffering with you through the same workout can make all the difference. There’s comfort in knowing that, whether it’s a challenging HIIT class, a sweaty cycle session, or a meditative yoga flow, everyone in the room is pushing through their own challenges—and they’re doing it with you. The collective effort becomes a motivating force that helps people show up, even when they’d rather stay in bed or on the couch.
When people start to build relationships in these classes, the accountability grows even stronger. You might have a friend or two who regularly takes the same classes as you, making it even harder to back out. It’s not just about having a workout partner—it’s about having a consistent built-in support system. The accountability of group fitness is about showing up not only for yourself, but for others as well.
The Third Space: Building Community Among Like-Minded Individuals
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg described the concept of “third spaces” as physical locations outside of home and work where people gather to build community and foster conversation. In the past, these places were coffee shops, parks, or pubs, but today’s third spaces have evolved to include fitness studios and gyms. Group fitness classes have become hubs for social interaction and connection.
Fitness classes foster these connections through shared experiences: initially, everyone is there for a common goal, whether it’s improving strength, gaining flexibility, or simply feeling better. These goals might be individual, but they are pursued together, creating a sense of belonging among participants. Unlike some social spaces, group fitness doesn’t require much beyond showing up. There’s no need for small talk if you’re not in the mood; the workout itself serves as a way to bond with others.
These communities are particularly valuable for adults who may find it harder to make new friends as they get older. Oldenburg’s “third places” were once crucial in fostering friendships, but as modern life becomes more digital and isolating, opportunities for organic social connections diminish. Group fitness classes can fill that void. They create a space where individuals can connect over shared struggles, collective efforts, and common interests—all while improving their health.
The consistent proximity, repetition of meeting times, and accumulation of time spent together in these environments foster relationships that extend beyond the workout itself.
Laughing Through the Sweat: Embracing the Fun and Ridiculous
There’s something inherently ridiculous about a room full of adults performing the same movements in sync—whether it’s a step or dance class, a cycling class, or doing burpees. But this shared sense of humor adds a lightheartedness to group fitness that can be profoundly uplifting. As Jamison humorously noted, “A room full of grown adults flailing, shouting, and cycling miles without ever going anywhere is a fundamentally ridiculous prospect.” Yet, it’s in this ridiculousness that bonds are formed.
Group fitness doesn’t just give you a space to work out—it gives you a reason to laugh, smile, and enjoy the process with others. The shared absurdity of trying new movements, making mistakes, and pushing limits creates a unique atmosphere that breaks down barriers and encourages connection. It’s not just about physical results; it’s about enjoying the experience and embracing the community that forms around it.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone:
Group fitness provides much more than just a workout—it’s a gateway to building real, meaningful connections with others. In a world that’s increasingly digital and isolated, these classes offer a rare opportunity to step away from the screen and into a community. The non-scale results—fighting loneliness, staying accountable, and joining a community of like-minded individuals—are just as valuable, if not more, than the physical transformations. In the end, the benefits of group fitness extend far beyond the gym. They enrich your social life, boost your emotional well-being, and help you find joy in movement once again. We hope to see you soon at McClure Fitness Benton, we have a workout for everyone!
