Do You Dislike Working Out? Have You Considered Group Exercise?

Do You Dislike Working Out? Have You Considered Group Exercise?

Why is it that when your alarm clock rings at 6 a.m. sharp, it is so much easier to hit the snooze button than to get out of bed, lace up, and get yourself to your daily sweat sesh?! If, like us, you find yourself guilty of snoozing more often than sweating, then we’ve got just the thing: group workout classes. Jazzercise, to be specific. 

So, can dancing, lunging, and lifting with a squad instead of solo really help you go from “dreading it” to “feeling it” when it comes to exercising? Science (and okay, our personal opinion!) points to plenty of benefits of group fitness classes. Here are a few that might convince you to break a sweat with your squad. 

The Power of Group Exercise Classes

Working out solo isn’t for everyone, that’s for sure. You might feel intimidated by new equipment, overwhelmed by what to do, or even judged by those with more experience. If you’re wondering whether group fitness classes are really any better, we can honestly say YES!

If you’ve never tried group workout classes before, you’re going to be blown away by how welcoming and inclusive this community is! Your instructor will show you exactly what to do, encouraging all ages and stages to work out side-by-side. It totally works! Watching others nail their workout is inspiring and motivating. It also feels great when other people start complimenting YOU on your own moves! (It won’t be long — trust us!)

Cut Out the Fitness Guesswork

Walking into a gym filled with intimidating equipment and rows of huge weights is not inspiring. Where exactly are you supposed to start?! And how do you even work these things?! One of the biggest draws of group workout classes is that an experienced and motivational instructor leads each class. They’ll cue you through every step and offer plenty of suggestions for modifying to get exactly what you need out of the workout. 

That means you won’t have to devise your own exercise plan or be a fitness expert. Instead, all you do is show up and follow along. Each class is designed to be a complete workout, including a warm-up, cool-down with restorative stretching, and an explanation of each movement in between. 

Get a Dose of Motivation

If you’re one of those people who kiiinda hates working out, then you’re gonna need one that delivers extra motivation, which is exactly what group fitness classes do! Even if you aren’t feeling up for a tough exercise sesh at the beginning of the class, the instructor’s positive attitude and your classmates' contagious energy will help raise your motivation. Soon, you’ll be moving along with everyone else.

Building Relationships and Community

As you begin attending class regularly, you’ll start to notice some familiar faces. Smiles and waves will turn into greetings and then into chats before and after class. Before you know it, your group fitness classmates will become authentic friends.

One of the best and most underappreciated benefits of group fitness classes is the support, sense of community, and friendships you’ll build. Knowing that you’ll see friends can make you look forward to attending class and improving your overall enjoyment of the experience. Plus, building fitness friendships can be good for your health! A study from the University of Southern California found that subjects who worked out with friends enjoyed working out more compared to working out alone. No surprise there!

Added Accountability

It’s easy to slap that snooze button on your alarm clock when no one expects to see you. We promise these group fitness instructors and Jazzercise members get used to your presence. They’ll look for you when you miss a class or two. Dr. Dian Griesel, the co-author of TurboCharged, agrees. In an article for NBC News, Dian agreed that “Workouts with others improve consistency because they involve commitment. "No shows" and cancellations get noticed by others, and positive peer pressure can help curtail the urges to skip a workout…or quit.

Greater Workout Variety

Performing the same workout repeatedly is boring and will likely lead you straight to a fitness plateau...the worst! Working out with others in a group fitness environment means you’ll get a unique workout every time. Plus, your instructors don’t want to do the same workout any more than you do! They’ll throw in new routines and moves with each class. You can also take different classes throughout the week, providing the bonus of never allowing your body to adapt to a single exercise modality. Even if you’re a Cardio Sculpt loyalist, we promise each class brings a little something fresh to keep your body guessing. 

Fitness and Fun Rolled into One

Upbeat music? Check. Supportive and friendly instructor? Check. Awesome people working their booties off just like you? Check, check, check! Working out in a group is just more fun. You will enjoy the natural endorphins (aka happy brain chemicals) that exercise produces while surrounded by like-minded people and a few new friends.

Greater Fitness Results

The whole point of exercising is to improve your overall mental and physical health and wellness, right? So, you’ll be excited to learn that working out with others can improve your fitness results. The Köhler Effect is a concept that says no one wants to be the weakest member of the group and will work harder in group settings to avoid that. You can use this effect to your advantage in a workout with friends. If your workout buddies are a little faster or stronger than you, you’ll work harder to keep up.

Scientific research backs up the theory. A paper in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology found that participants who performed planks with a stronger partner were able to hold their plank for 24% longer than when they planked alone. In other words, your natural competitive juices can help you work out harder in a group. You may even want to snag a spot next to the fittest person in the class for even more motivation.

Ways to Workout When You Don’t Like Exercising

If you don’t like exercising, it may help to understand why. Are you confused about how to get started? Do you feel bored with your usual routine? Would you prefer a more social environment? Is your workout too easy — or maybe too hard?

Workouts for people who hate working out need to address the underlying problem. For example, if the monotony bothers you, recruit a workout buddy or blast some good tunes! Or, if the issue with your sweat sesh is the actual SWEAT, try working out indoors during warmer weather. A more comfortable climate can work wonders!

At Jazzercise, we’ve seen SO many people learn to love working out at our group fitness classes. Our enthusiastic FitPros will show you exactly what to do while your peers cheer you on! Plus, our group dance workouts are never boring! Your workout will absolutely fly by as you jump, skip, and hop along to body-pumping hit music in a safe, positive environment. 

Motivation and Accountability

It’s so much easier to stay motivated when the people around you care. The best group fitness classes provide support during workouts and encourage real-world friendships to develop! Don’t be surprised if your new accountability buddies applaud your moves, notice your absence, or invite you to grab coffee or lunch after a workout sesh. This is all part of the Jazzercise community! 

We love group dance workouts, and we also love to have FUN during (and after!) class! And really, there’s nothing more motivating than having fun with friends. You’re not going to want to miss any of it.

So, are you ready for group workouts?!

Tired of Hating Your Workouts?

If you’re desperate to find a workout for people who hate working out, try Jazzercise! We strongly believe in the power and positivity of group fitness. That’s why we are proud to offer group workout classes. Whether you want to improve your cardio, strength, or all of the above, you can find the right class for you, along with a safe and welcoming environment.

It’s time to fall in love with exercise! Find your nearest Jazzercise and learn more about our latest offers.