Maggie Schlegel
Last updated August 26, 2024

Is a Group Fitness Class Right for You? 5 Benefits of Group Fitness.

If you’ve got the goals of a healthier lifestyle and getting into better shape, it can be hard to know where to start.

So today at Sultivate, we’re going to dig into why you should take a Group Fitness class. In our opinion, it’s one of the best ways to meet your fitness goals – and we’re here to tell you why we feel this way.

Let’s start with what Group Fitness is.

What is a Group Fitness Class?

Group Fitness classes are various types of fitness disciplines, led by a Group Fitness Instructor. Typically they are held at gyms or studios.

Depending on which gym you’re at they can be small or big class sizes. At Sultivate our classes are typically between 5-15 people… the perfect number for individual attention while still getting the community atmosphere.

With a wide variety of classes, it’s easy to find one that suits your skills and needs.

Types of group fitness classes.

Let’s talk about a few of the group fitness classes we specifically specialize in:

Strength Training: With specialized equipment in a group setting with an emphasis on targeting specific muscle groups.
Yoga: Combining relaxation with balance to create a zen community of static poses.
Mat Pilates: Using slow controlled movements to build strength, range of motion, and body awareness.
Barre: Trim, tighten, and tone your body using small controlled movements to maximize your workout effectiveness.
Dance Fitness: Sweat, smile, and express yourself with free movement. Who doesn’t love a good dance class?
Zumba: A cardio, strength dance class. This class is all about moving your body… constantly and having fun.
TRX/HIIT: Work every muscle group in your body with strap exercises. Then get your heart rate up with some HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).

Honestly, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are as many types of Group Fitness classes as there are personalities in the world.

So what makes them better? Couldn’t you just do all these exercise classes by yourself?

Benefits of Group Fitness Classes

One of the best reasons to take part in a Group Fitness class is the sense of community.

1. Be part of a fitness community.

While there’s nothing wrong with working out alone, being part of a community can skyrocket your success when it comes to building a healthier lifestyle and getting in shape.

Here are just a few ways a fitness community will make you more likely to stick to your fitness routine:

Accountability: doing activities with a group can help you avoid the procrastination that often accompanies a new workout routine.
Motivation: not only will a fitness community hold you accountable, but it can also motivate you to continue.
Building habits: the more accountability and motivation you have, the easier it will be to create a steadfast routine.
Competition: working out with others can often help you push yourself more. This leads to a better workout, – and more physical benefits from your workout.¹
Socialization: you’ll meet lots of like-minded people who all share similar goals. This can be incredibly uplifting and inspiring.

The right fitness community can help you with your fitness journey. Especially if working out isn’t part of your normal routine. But even if you’re a diehard fitness junkie it can be helpful.

2. Add variety to a stale workout routine.

You can be the best athlete in the world, and sometimes your workout may still bore you to tears.

This is where a Group Fitness class can be a major help.

With a wide variety of classes to choose from… and a huge number of benefits to gain from different classes… Group Fitness can be the answer to your routine feeling stale.

You could choose a fun Zumba class to get your blood pumping. Or a more structured Barre class to target muscles that aren’t as easy to work out.

Group Fitness classes can add the variety you’ve been missing in your workout schedule.

Workout variety benefits you physically as well. If you continually do the same workout and routines you stop gaining as much muscle and cardio benefits because your body has become accustomed to the same old routine.

It’s important to switch up workouts and which muscles you’re targeting to keep them from adapting to a single routine.²

This is how you’ll keep progressing in your fitness journey.

Group Fitness classes also bring you another kind of support.

3. Get the support of a Group Fitness instructor.

Having someone leading your workout who you can trust is important.

A great Group Fitness instructor can:

Help you avoid injury by correcting your form as you exercise.
Build your self-confidence by introducing more types of exercises – maybe new, maybe more difficult.³
Provide easier and harder variations of exercises to customize the workout to your abilities.
Motivate you… everyone needs a cheerleader now and then!
Challenge you to push yourself.

Having an instructor can be good for both beginners and advanced fitness enthusiasts. It can also be great for your health.

4. Build a healthy lifestyle.

You may be just starting on your fitness journey. Or you may be looking to change it up. Either way, Group Fitness can help you build a strong healthy foundation for your wellness journey.

Not only will exercising in general help you to lead a healthier life, but there is strong proof that working out with other healthy individuals affects your health habits.⁴

Group Fitness Classes are a great way to surround yourself with that healthy fitness community we talked about earlier.

They can also make hitting the gym a bit less intimidating.

5. Skip the overwhelm on the way to the gym.

This one is big. The amount of effort you put into figuring out your workout for the day can actually cause you to not go at all.

Maybe one of these scenarios rings true for you:

You’re nervous to work out amongst people who seem to have it all figured out…

You have no energy to figure out what kind of workout to do…

Figuring out how to build an effective workout routine that will help you reach specific goals feels impossible…

There are many reasons why hitting the gym can feel overwhelming. These are just a few.

Sign up for a class where someone else has to take care of the planning – we can’t think of a more genius way to make a workout feel better from start to finish.

We’ve talked about a lot of benefits of Group Fitness classes. Let’s look at some of the alternatives you have as well.

Alternatives to Taking a Group Fitness Class

Group Fitness Classes vs. Gym Sessions

Taking a group fitness class or going to the gym by yourself can both get you a good workout. It just depends on what your goals are for your workout.

Here are a few ways that a Group Fitness class differs from a normal gym session.

Group Fitness Class

1. The workout is led by an instructor.

2. A community of fitness enthusiasts.

3. Typically a fun atmosphere.

4. Outside motivation – classmates, instructor, a class you paid for and won’t miss.

5. Friendly competition that can lead to a better workout.

6. Good for all experience levels. Every exercise can be modified to meet the right level.

7. Typically more expensive than a gym membership.

Solo Gym Session

1. More autonomy in your workout.

2. Flexibility of when you work out.

3. Can be easier to focus on what you’re doing vs. what others are doing.

4. Find your motivation from within yourself.

5. Tailor your workout to what you want to do that day.

6. Easier for intermediate to advanced gym goers who have an idea of how to meet their fitness goals.

7. Often cheaper than Group Fitness Classes. Depending on the gym.

Another alternative to a group fitness session is a personal trainer.

Group Fitness vs Personal Trainer

Group Fitness classes and Personal Training are different, but a lot more similar than working out on your own.

Many of the benefits of a Group Fitness class can also be achieved in a personal training session.

Group Fitness Class

1. The workout is led by an instructor.

2. The workout is tailored to the whole group.

3. Public feedback on your form while doing exercises. With an emphasis on safety.

4. Group Fitness Classes are scheduled to meet many people’s availability.

5. More cost-effective as many people are paying for the space and the instructor’s time.

6. A spirit of camaraderie amongst you and your classmates.

7. Great for beginner, intermediate, and advanced gym goers.

Personal Training Session

1. The workout is led by a personal trainer.

2. The workout is tailored to help you meet your specific goals.

3. Get immediate private feedback on your form as you workout.

4. Personal Training Sessions have more flexibility on when you want to schedule them.

5. More expensive as it is a one-on-one session.

6. Motivation and encouragement from your trainer to you.

7. It’s tailored to your specific fitness and experience level.

Both Group Fitness classes and Personal Training Sessions can help you meet your goals.

The key to choosing your workout routine is to choose one you’ll stick with. Or even… do both!

Find a Gym with Group Fitness Classes

Our opinion… find a gym that has it all! Changing up your workout routine can help you get the best benefits possible as you strive to keep up with your healthy lifestyle.

Looking for a gym in Cottonwood, AZ with Group Fitness classes?

Book a Group Fitness class with us and see what we’re all about!