Is There Strength in Numbers?

It is common knowledge that individuals who make the effort to exercise, eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle are more likely to reach old age and enjoy a better quality of life in their twilight years. This knowledge is the reason why so many of us spend a considerable chunk of our income on health club memberships, personal training packages, and fitness equipment. But, what percentage of us are actually reaping the full benefits of the time, money and effort we invest into becoming fit, and leading a healthy lifestyle?

Currently, doctors, researchers and fitness professionals are becoming increasingly more aware of the fact that those who exercise in groups or with a partner are far more likely to enjoy the full physical and psychological benefits of exercise. This is because current studies have shown that working out is good for your body but working out in a group may just help save your life.

One such study, conducted by the University of Taiwan researchers, and published in the March 2008 issue of Birth Journal, concluded that Taiwanese women who participated in a group exercise support program were less likely to have postpartum depression than those women who did not.

Likewise, a cancer study conducted by Ohio State University researchers, and published in the June 2007 issue of Journal of Cancer Survivorship, concluded that group exercise programs significantly improved the physical and psychological well-being of women being treated for early-stage breast cancer.

Researchers are not yet able to understand whether the benefits of group exercise are derived from the activity itself or from the social interaction. However, most fitness professionals agree that the support, friendship, variety and motivation such exercise groups provide can help improve participants’ physical and mental health and encourage them to maintain their exercise routines over an extended period of time. This is due to the fact that group classes create an atmosphere of accountability.

According to Cherilyn Hultquist, assistant professor in the department of health, physical education and sport science at Kennesaw State University, “It is known that women tend to exercise more when they perceive high levels of social support in their lives. Seeing familiar faces in each class makes it more than a stale exercise environment. It becomes a community with common goals.”

According to Ms. Hultquist, the fact that most fitness classes are lead by a fitness professional is another major benefit of working out in groups. “Many people enter a fitness facility and bounce around on equipment with little thought or direction about their workout. This lack of balance can lead to injury, boredom or can limit results. By having a trained professional lead a group, participants receive the full workout experience, including warm-up, workout, cool-down and stretching”.

So, the next time you go to the gym remember: there is strength in numbers.

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