Working out together can lead to a 26% lower stress rate than working out on your own according to a recent study by the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Group exercisers also reported a higher physical, mental and emotional quality of life than those who did individual fitness routines even when they worked out twice as long.*
While exercising in any context is encouraged and leads to significant overall benefits, working out in a social context appears to lead to even more positive results by meeting a broader scope of what we need to have a high quality of life.
Group fitness addresses an innate need for socialization. This is particularly important in today's fast paced society that increasingly isolates. From a science perspective we know that the brain releases certain "reward chemicals" for social situations including increased oxytocin - the social "bonding chemical." Working out together also encourages participants as they see other "real life people", not models or fitness icons, struggle and succeed at the same common effort. Further, group fitness adds the elements of support and accountability as classmates begin to recognize and get to know each other.
Has it been a while since you've had all these benefits from a great group fitness experience? Check out our Wade into Fitness classes!