Phrases like “teamwork makes the dream work” and “it takes two flints to make a fire” are as valid on the court or the field as they are in the boardroom. The message points to the synergy that occurs when two or more people get together to get a job done, rather than doing it solo.
Conventional wisdom tends to support the effectiveness of teaming up with others and when it comes to fitness, the words ring true. You might have a gym buddy for weightlifting or a running partner in your neighborhood, but you may be missing out on another boost to your body and mind. If you never had the experience of a spin class, a yoga retreat, or a boot camp in Los Angeles, it’s probably time to see what it’s all about. Try a group fitness class to see the physical, social, and motivational benefits you get by participating.
Benefits of Joining a Group
If you’re too young to remember aerobics with Richard Simmons, you may know the invigorating experience of group fitness through Jillian Michaels’ BODYSHRED or Brett Hoebel’s Brazilian yoga sculpt. Group classes continue to be hot, and they run the gamut in style, speed, and size. It turns out, finding the best group fitness class for your needs is just a click away.
A few years ago, predictions by the American College of Sports Medicine included the claim that group fitness would be one of the top three trends in the industry. According to researchers at Iowa State University’s Department of Kinesiology, there are physiological reasons for that.
Motivation
There are benefits to all kinds of fitness programs, including private weight training, taking walks, or solo time at the squat rack. You’re committed to exercise for a variety of reasons, but following through is probably fueled by two kinds of motivation. Both can be useful when carving out your game plan.
Intrinsic Motivation
When there’s an activity you do simply because you love it, you’re intrinsically motivated. People are more likely to stick with a program they like doing, versus exercising just to drop pounds or bask in the good feeling after the workout. Sometimes by joining forces with others you can turn a so-so (or a despised) form of exercise into a fun activity. By making it social – assuming you like the people – it can shift into something you’re intrinsically motivated to do.
Extrinsic Motivation
Have you ever noticed how much harder you try something when others are watching? Most people run with gusto when they’re racing and play harder when spectators are in the stands. When the L.A. Marathon runners wind through neighborhoods, they’re buoyed by strangers clapping from the sidewalks. Maybe you’ve felt that spectator push on your Burbank city-league softball team or noticed it when you hit the street with the Fleet Feet Running Club.
Working out in a group induces you to work harder, but there are other benefits too. Even developing friendships with people who work out can increase the chance you make fitness a part of your life.
Studies show that spending time with exercise buffs makes your perception about fitness more:
- Positive
- Common
- Desirable
- Doable
We tend to mirror the people around us, so when others are huffing and puffing, we’re enticed into joining them. When you work out with friends, they can serve as a cue and keep you on track.
There are potential setbacks when you’re extrinsically motivated, however, depending on the outside factors that energize you. When your workout has been designed by someone else, you may not value it, and you probably find it less rewarding; therefore, you may not stick with it.
External factors for working out may include:
- Impressing potential partners
- Getting approval from superiors
- Winning a contest or trophy
While these may work for a while, when the external factor is removed it’s not uncommon to lose your motivation.
Other Psychological Benefits of Group Fitness
You can feel a sense of control over your body whether you exercise alone or in a group but working out with other people can reinforce your sense of autonomy. The social connection reinforces what you bring to the group atmosphere. You’re a part of something bigger than yourself. Experts at the Baylor College of Medicine recommend group fitness to boost your mood, which is good news on days when you feel depressed. You not only gain the physical benefits of exercise, but participating with others invites you to connect.
People who jump into a class have social accountability and get a sense of accomplishment after completing a class. Also, as human nature propels you to try to keep up with others in the room, you typically gain a sense of mastery as you build your skills – at Zumba, yoga, strength training, or anything else.
If you’re new to the club – or fitness in general – there’s another advantage to choosing a class instead of roaming the gym in search of a workout program.
“A lot of people can relate to how intimidating and overwhelming it can be to go to the gym where you’re surrounded by regular gym goers who have exercised there for years,” says Allie Townsend, assistant professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. “A big benefit of group fitness with an instructor is that you don’t need to think about how to do it – you just show up and are guided every step of the way.”
Join a Class at BFC
There are 58 classes (and growing) per week at Burbank Fitness Club!
It’s easy to find a group fitness class that fits your style and availability – just check the schedule. Whether you like to sweat, shred, or cycle – there are opportunities to get the job done, and if you’re an artist you may enjoy the local dance-inspired classes such as Classic Barre and Zumba.
People looking for a fitness class in L.A. sometimes end up in a boot camp or in a gym without the expertise they need to meet their goals. The benefit of working out in Burbank at BFC is the quality of training you get from staff members. When you join a class it’s like getting a personal trainer with top qualifications and certifications – you’re just sharing the experts with friends.
Designing a successful fitness routine has a lot to do with finding your jam – staying active doing something you enjoy. When you just need to get the job done, but you want to enjoy it enough to stay motivated, you might find that a group class holds the key.
It’s clear that your response to exercise is influenced by others around you … and that’s a good thing. There’s power in numbers and many people report a more powerful exercise program when they work out in a group. It’s always been true. After all, it was nearly a century ago when Helen Keller said: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Burbank Fitness Club Classes
ATHLETIC REFORMER PILATES – Elevate your fitness with a dynamic fusion of strength, flexibility, and athletic conditioning on the reformer machine.
BARRE BLEND – Blend ballet-inspired Pilates, strength training, and cardio for a full-body workout that sculpts and tones with every session.
BARRE TECHNIQUE – Similar to BARRE BLEND, fuse ballet-inspired movements with strength training and cardio for a full-body workout that tones, sculpts, and energizes.
CLASSIC BARRE – Experience the elegance of ballet with classic barre exercises that enhance strength, flexibility, and grace for a toned and sculpted physique.
DISCO DANCE – Dance your way to fitness with vibrant, high-energy routines set to the hottest beats for a full-body workout that’s as fun as it is effective.
FOREVER STRONG – A low-impact class designed to build strength, flexibility, joint stability, and mobility, keeping you functional and vibrant for everyday life.
FULL BODY SHRED – Get ready for an epic shred sesh! Using kettlebells, dumbbells, risers, and more, this cardio-strength workout will work you from head to toe.
FUNCTIONAL FIT – Boost your daily performance with a class that blends functional exercises to improve strength, agility, and mobility for practical, real-world fitness.
HIIT – High-Intensity Interval Training that gets your heart rate up through explosive bursts and recovery for maximum calorie burn and endurance.
HIIT BOXING – Combining conditioning drills, punches, and kicks with HIIT intervals to boost strength, endurance, and agility while torching calories.
MAT PILATES – Focus on strength, stability, proper breath control, and flexibility by leveraging your body weight during this slower-paced, mat-based Pilates class.
MUSCLE & CORE – Support a healthy spine, pelvis, and kinetic chain with a targeted workout focused on muscle-building and core strengthening.
POWER BEAT CYCLE – Push your limits with a dynamic cycling class featuring intense intervals and energizing beats for a powerful, full-body workout.
POWER SCULPT – Maximize your workout with a powerful class that combines strength training and sculpting moves to build muscle and enhance your physique.
REBEL RIDE CYCLE – Defy the ordinary with intense intervals and heavy rock beats. WARNING: Expect a raw, rebellious playlist with explicit tracks that’ll push your limits.
REFORMER PILATES FLOW – Experience a seamless blend of flowing movements and controlled resistance on the reformer, enhancing strength, flexibility, and core stability.
RIP & RIDE CYCLE – Push your limits with a high-energy cycling class that blends intense intervals and cardio for a workout that boosts endurance and burns calories.
SUNDAY CIRCUIT – Energize your weekend with a dynamic circuit workout that blends strength and cardio for a full-body challenge and an intense fitness boost.
SUNRISE CYCLE – Start your day with an invigorating cycling class that combines rhythmic rides and energizing intervals for a refreshing, full-body workout.
SWEAT FEST – This slower-paced, anaerobic, form-focused class will help develop, maintain, and build lean muscle mass through strength and resistance training.
TOTAL BODY RESET – Using muscles from head to toe, this low-impact strength/mobility/cardio combo class will leave you feeling energized and ready for the day!
TURN IT UP CYCLE – Ignite your ride with a high-energy class packed with intense intervals and electrifying beats to push your limits and supercharge your workout.
VINYASA FLOW – Find the connection between breath, mind, and movement, and feel aligned and rejuvenated after this restorative vinyasa yoga class.
XTREME FIT – Challenge yourself through a series of circuit training, endurance, and strength exercises to improve cardiovascular health and boost metabolism.
YOGA POWER FLOW – Boost your day while building a strong mind-body connection, incorporating yoga poses that focus on core, inversions, and balancing.
ZUMBA® – Ignite your passion for movement with an energetic dance class that blends fun, fitness, and rhythm to boost your confidence and coordination.