The Benefits of Group Fitness Classes

The new year is approaching, which means we’re all starting to set our fitness goals. But what if you never hit your goals from last year? What could you do differently this year to hold yourself accountable and see real results?

My challenge to you – try a group fitness class. Obviously, at McClure Fitness, we specialize in group exercise classes. That’s because we believe that group exercise is the best kind of workout. Here are a few reasons why:

1. You’re More Likely to Keep Yourself Accountable

When you pay for something, 9 times out of 10, you’ll take it more seriously than something you get for free.

So, you’re more likely to show up to the group exercise class you paid for vs. the run around the block that you’ve been putting off all week.

When you pay for a group class, you’ll show up. Plus, most gyms don’t offer refunds or makeups for classes you’ve already registered for, so if you skip a class, you’re out that money.

If you’re struggling with the idea of paying for group fitness classes, think of it like this – you’re not throwing away your money. You are making an investment in yourself. So, if you want to see a return on your investment, you have to show up and put in the work. That’s when you lose weight, get stronger, and build confidence.

2. You Can Try Several Classes to Find Your Favorite

Why do so many people with gym memberships quit going after the first month?

For some, the reason might be that life gets busy, and they can’t keep up a consistent exercise routine.

However, I believe that for most people, it’s because they are doing workouts that they don’t enjoy. They go to the gym, lift some weights, hop on the treadmill, and leave without ever interacting with anyone else. They may keep this up for a while, but eventually, they get bored and struggle to find motivation.

Group exercise classes give you the opportunity to try a variety of different exercises taught by different instructors. Maybe you tried a HIIT class, and that wasn’t your jam. If that’s the case, sign up for a spin class next time. Keep trying different classes until you find one that you love and look forward to doing every day.

When you love your workout, you’ll keep it up. This consistency is when you see results and reap all of the health benefits of regular exercise.

3. You’ll Make New Friends Who Are on a Similar Fitness Journey

Being around people is more important than ever – you may think that you’re still connected to others through your Facebook and Instagram, but the truth is, you need face-to-face interaction with other people!

When you take group fitness classes, you’ll have the opportunity to meet like-minded people who, like you, have fitness goals they are trying to achieve.

These people will also be your built-in accountability partners. If you lay down on the floor during your at-home workout, there’s nobody there to tell you to get up and keep going.

In a group setting, you’ll have others next to you who are also tired and out of breath and will be there to motivate you even when you want to quit. And as you continue to work out together, they’ll ask you about your progress, celebrate wins with you, and check on you if you don’t show up to class.

4. Your Mental Health Will Improve

If you’ve read my other blogs or worked with me before, you know that I always harp on the fact that working out offers more than just physical benefits.

When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins, boosting your mood, self-esteem, and self-efficacy and improving your mental health. So, you’ll find yourself with more energy and confidence, less stress and anxiety, an overall positive mood, and a better thought life.

Another thing that’s good for your mental health – having a social life! If you’re struggling to make friends or find community, joining a group fitness class is a great way to get out of the house and meet other people in a safe environment.

4. You Get a Certified Instructor

If you work out at home alone or solo at the gym, you may be working out the wrong way, putting yourself at a higher risk of injury.

Not to mention, there is no one there to push you and tell you to keep going even when you really want to quit. All you have to do is pause the video or leave the gym to end your workout.

Even if you opt for a personal trainer, chances are that you will only see them for a handful of sessions, while the rest of the time, you have to hold yourself accountable to stick to your workout routine.

The great thing about group fitness programs is that, on top of the accountability from your instructor and the other participants, you get an expert teacher who is certified in the specific type of class they teach. This person will teach you the proper form and motivate you to keep giving it your all throughout the entire class.

How Do You Keep up a Workout Routine With Group Classes?

If you really want a fitness regimen that will stick, you must set goals, celebrate wins, and track your progress.

Set Goals

Setting goals is essential if you want to see progress in your workout routine.

Remember to make your goals SMART; specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-oriented. If you make it something too vague, like, “I’m going to work out more this year,” or something too extreme, like, “I’m going to get back to my high school weight in one month,” then you’re not setting yourself up for success.

Some examples of goals to set for yourself are:

Short-term Goal

Make it to 4 classes this week.

Long-Term Goal

Exercise for 16 days out of the month.

Then, the next month, you can level up:

Short-Term Goal

Make it to 5 classes this week.

Long-term Goal

Exercise for 20 days out of the month.

Celebrate Wins

Another way to keep up the good work and make your exercise routine a little more fun is to celebrate your milestones! This gives you something to look forward to as you’re working toward your fitness goal.

When you hit a goal like weight loss or your six-month exercise anniversary, reward yourself with something like new workout clothes or a massage.

However, don’t reward yourself with something that’s going to wreck your progress – like a full day of binge eating things that aren’t on your diet plan.

Track Progress

Finally, an important part of ensuring you’re on track to achieve your goals is tracking your progress. There are a few different ways to do this:

• Use an Apple Watch or Fitbit to track your workout time, heart rate, calorie burn, etc.
• Download My Fitness Pal to track your calorie intake.
• Use the McClure Fitness Tracker to keep track of how often you work out per week or month.

As you track your progress and begin to see results, you’ll keep becoming more and more confident in your ability to reach your goal, keeping you motivated and pushing you toward that end goal.

Discover the Benefits of Group Fitness with McClure Fitness.

At McClure Fitness, we work hard and have fun doing it together. You won’t find treadmills or machines with 27 pulleys and weight stacks. You won’t get lost in a TV counting down the minutes until you can finally leave.

Instead, you’ll find yourself in group classes with an instructor pushing you to give 100% to every movement. You’ll have others beside you of all fitness levels who are there for the same reason as you – to walk out stronger than you walked in.

If you’re in the area, we would love to work out with you at our Benton gym. We have plenty of instructors and class offerings so that you can find the right instructor, class, and time for you.

For those outside the Benton area, we have a variety of programs at McClure Fitness online that you can join. I know I just talked down on working out at home, BUT you can still connect with your instructors and other McClure Fitness members across the country.

If you’re ready to reap the many benefits of group fitness, join us for a group class at McClure Fitness!