Benefits of Joining a Fitness Class
By Paul Rothbart
Physical fitness is important to a healthy and happy life. To get there, you need to exercise. Even to the most dedicated person, exercise can sometimes feel like drudgery and it can be difficult to stay motivated. One way around that is to train with a friend. Many things are more fun when you're not alone. Better still, how about a group of people? You could join a fitness class. This has several benefits.
Accountability
It can be all too easy to find an excuse to skip a workout. You're tired, it's too hot or too cold, just not feeling it today. Holding yourself accountable can be tough. If you enrolled in and paid for a fitness class, you are far less likely to skip a class. From a monetary standpoint, you will want to get what you paid for. That includes every class. You also have an instructor and a whole class full of people who will know every time you duck out. This can be excellent motivation. If you join with a friend, you can urge each other on.
Working With Others
There is something special about being part of a team. A group of like-minded people working together toward a common goal can be beneficial to mental health. A study placed the participants in groups. They were sent to separate rooms to try to solve a puzzle that had no solution. Half of the participants were given a note from another part of the study they had met earlier. This gave them a feeling of working as a team and they spent 48 percent more time trying to solve the puzzle. Working in a group can be excellent motivation.
Train With a Pro
Fitness classes are usually taught by a personal trainer or other professional. A pro will make sure you are training properly. This can help you get the most out of each workout as well as avoid injury. By joining a class, you get to work with a professional for a lower cost than hiring a personal trainer.
You Tend to Push Harder
With the extra motivation provided by attending a class, you tend to work harder and push yourself further than you would if training alone. This can help you achieve better results in less time. You may end up in the best shape of your life.
Working out is important for mental and physical health. You could do it on your own, but consider taking advantage of all that a fitness class has to offer. You may never train alone again.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in River Edge, N.J.