Group Exercise Classes - Are they for you?

Within our social circle, it is not difficult to find someone who joins a group exercise class. My uncle goes to Tai Chi classes, my wife loves spin, pump, and BFT classes. I have friends who are into yoga, pilates, barre, f45, and CrossFit. The government supports group classes too. There are numerous classes conducted by the Health Promotion Board, ActiveSG, and community centers probably due to the favorable results from research that suggest that group classes promote adherence to exercise, reduce stress, and improve well-being. This begs the question; are group classes for everyone? In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of group classes to help you decide if you should join one as part of your journey to better health. 

PROS

Provides a sense of community

No man is an island. Humans are social creatures even the most introverted person in the world needs social networks where they can feel they belong. Group classes provide a sense of community. The group's identity gets internalized by the individual, shaping mindsets and behaviors. For example, people who identify as Crossfiters embody the values and the lifestyle that Crossfit promotes. They eat healthy, they do varied, high-intensity workouts and exercises regularly. The shared sense of ‘us’ has been found to bring about better adherence to exercise via positive peer pressure. 

No programming required

The other benefit of group classes is that you just need to rock up and follow the leader. You do not need any expertise to come up with an exercise plan. Exercise programming is both a science and an art. Poor programming may lead to injuries which will set you back on your journey towards health. In group exercise classes, the program has been planned so you do not need to come up with a plan yourself. For those who prefer not to worry about programming your exercises, group classes may be for you. 

Accountability

Group classes provide accountability which is important in keeping you on track in your fitness journey. Some group class programs provide apps to track your workouts and personal best records. It keeps us motivated to continue pursuing fitness targets. We may also feel obliged to show up regularly which forces us to stay active.  

Cheaper than 1-on-1

There are economies of scale with group classes and hence much cheaper when compared to 1-on-1 personal training or coaching. The price of group classes may be ⅓ of the price of personal coaching. This is an important factor for the budget-conscious or for those who do not require close supervision during exercises. 

CONS

Builds reliance 

The fact that we just show up and follow what the instructor says means that we do not need to learn how to plan and program exercises. This builds reliance on such classes. Will we be able to continue exercising by ourselves if these classes were to discontinue? Will you be able to perform the 108 moves of tai chi if there is no one to follow? Will you still be motivated to exercise independently? What if funding for free classes were to stop or if the price of classes were to increase so much that it is unaffordable? The longer we do not exercise our independence, that is, the longer we attend group classes, the more resistance there is for us to exercise by ourselves. Programs that do not prioritize empowerment cause us to be reliant on them. 

The single domain of fitness

Most classes focus on a single domain of fitness. For example, Tai Chi will train one’s balance, but wouldn't be the best exercise for building cardiovascular fitness or strength. Spin classes would be great for improving the cardiovascular and endurance of the lower limbs. Pump classes build metabolic conditioning and would fail badly if your goal is to get stronger. You would be missing many other domains of fitness if you only go for a particular type of class. 

Not customized to you

We are all different, with different strengths and different weaknesses. Attending classes is like ordering a set menu. You cannot change the menu to suit your taste buds. You either choose to order the whole menu or not. Group exercise classes are the same. The program is not tailored 100% to your needs or liking. If you are already very lean and want to build some muscle, then going to a spin class or yoga class may meet your needs. If you would like to work on specific areas of weakness, a group exercise class setting may not be for you.

Negative peer pressure

With any community, there may be positive energy and also negative energy. Some groups make you feel guilty for missing sessions. You may be obliged to give up other more important aspects of your life like time with family, just to attend these classes. In the worst-case scenario, it may even lead to an addiction. Exercise addicts when grouped, spur each other to maintain their addiction and may be a form of negative peer pressure. 

What to consider before joining a group exercise class?

1. What do you want to work on?

Depending on which aspect of fitness you want to work on, we can evaluate if a class would be suitable. If you want to work on flexibility, perhaps a yoga class may be suitable. If you want to do high-intensity exercises, there are many high-intensity classes to choose from. However, if you want to get stronger and know your way around the group, you could probably work out yourself without a group.  

2. Consider the culture of the group

Does the group give off positive vibes and healthy influence? Are you happier and healthier as a result of joining a group exercise class or are you more injured, or burnt out? Evaluate the culture of the group. If you like the type of exercise but dislike the group, perhaps it's time to find another group. Some groups make you feel welcome whereas other groups make you feel lonely despite having people around. 

3. Do you even like exercising in a group setting? 

The bigger question is if you even like exercising in a group. Some people exercise best in groups because they feel more motivated in a pack. Others are like lone wolves, exercise best alone. There is no right or wrong way, but a way that works best for you. Perhaps other options could be exercising in a pair or a small group. The setting that gets you motivated the best may be the one for you. 

4. The instructor 

As the programming of the group exercise class is done by the instructor, one of the considerations is whether the instructor is a right fit for you. Some instructors have heaps of energy and can remind you of your OGL (orientation group leader) back in school. Other instructors are more regimental and remind you of your sergeant in the army. Different personalities would suit different needs. There may be scenarios where the culture of the group is good, and the type of exercise enjoyable but the personality of the instructor does not bring out the best in you. The other factor is the qualification of the instructor. There are some instructors more qualified than others. As for the higher risk high-intensity group classes, it may be useful to have someone more qualified so that they know how to scale the exercises according to your level to avoid injuries. 

At the end of the day, we know that there are different strokes for different folks and while group exercise classes may be for some, they may not be for others. I hope that this article will help you weigh the pros and cons and help you evaluate if group exercise classes are for you. So choose what brings out the best in you to make you healthier, happier, and have a more fulfilling life. 

If you need a health coach, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to help!

References:

• Graupensperger S, Gottschall JS, Benson AJ, Eys M, Hastings B, Evans MB. Perceptions of groupness during fitness classes positively predict recalled perceptions of exertion, enjoyment, and affective valence: An intensive longitudinal investigation. Sport Exerc Perform Psychol. 2019 Aug;8(3):290-304. doi: 10.1037/spy0000157. PMID: 31548915; PMCID: PMC6756792.

• Yorks DM, Frothingham CA, Schuenke MD. Effects of Group Fitness Classes on Stress and Quality of Life of Medical Students. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2017 Nov 1;117(11):e17-e25. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2017.140. PMID: 29084328.