Fitness classes vs gym circuit - which one is better?
There are several options to become or stay physically active. One of the most common questions is whether you should workout solo or pick a group exercise class.
As we all know, physical exercise has a variety of benefits, including:
- Improved physical health, including improved cardiovascular performance, stronger muscles and body-fat reduction.
- Decreased risk of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
- The opportunity to socialise and meet new people.
- Increased sense of self-esteem and better mental health.
To become or stay physical active, there are several options, and you may ask yourself if you should workout solo or select a Group exercise class.
The following comparison may help to take a decision.
Social aspects
Group exercise is inherently social and with a huge menu of different classes for all kind of fitness level and preferences to choose from.
Frequently, group exercise is an ideal option for those new to exercise as they can try different kinds of classes out and see which ones suit them best.
In a group exercise class, participants are more likely to encourage and engage with one another. The sense of satisfaction and achievement is also a shared experience which can help to motivate to return to the gym to participate.
Fun
Researches[1] show that people who worked out with a group (or friends, a spouse or co-worker) reported that they took more enjoyment in their exercise than those who worked out solo. The variety provided by the range of classes also mixes things up, keeping workouts fresh and exciting and helping members improve their health, fitness, body shape and strength in different ways.
Personalisation
Some of the drawbacks to fitness classes include limited equipment or crowded classes and the workout lacks personalisation. Your fitness goal may not be the goal of the person next to you in class, but the workout must be fairly generic in order to accommodate a variety of class attendees. The attention of instructors is also divided among everyone in the group.
Focus/Distraction
Those who choose to work out in the gym alone may find that they have more focus than participants in a group setting. They can work on personal goals and don’t have the distractions of others around them so can zone in on their workouts and prioritise their unique fitness goals.
Conclusion
The best of both worlds may be small group training with a personal trainer. Xpress Classes are a perfect example of that. There is accountability to the trainer and the others in the group.
For an experienced trainer, working with people in small groups is very manageable. The trainer will be able to challenge each participant at the right level by providing modifications and adjusting exercises to be more or less demanding even if there is a disparity in fitness levels among group members. The sessions can have an edge of competitiveness, but it can also be a means of multi tasking fitness and relationships – you can spend time with friends or family and get a great workout at the same time!
[1] Christensen U et al Group cohesion and social support in exercise classes: results from a danish intervention study. Health Educ Behav. 2006 Oct;33(5):677-89.