Group exercise is a popular fitness option for many people. In this post, we will discuss the pros and cons of group exercise so you can decide for yourself whether to join a group class, work with a trainer, or go solo with your workout routine.
Pros of Group Fitness
There are a ton of benefits to working out with a group. Here are some of the biggest pros to working out in a group class.
Structure
Working out in a group class with a structure provides a lot of structure. Most exercisers go into the gym completely unprepared and without a plan. They wander around from cardio machine to cardio machine, without putting any thought into a structured routine. Often, after trying a few pieces of equipment, they decide that they have had enough for one session and decide to leave the gym.
When you join a group class, you will have a workout program designed for you. The class environment gives you some structure that you probably would not have had on your own, unless you work with a personal trainer.
Camaraderie and Accountability
Joining a fitness class also provides accountability and camaraderie. You will likely find friends in your class that will make the prospect of exercise more fun. Your friends will likely also know if you don’t make it to class, providing accountability.
Fun
Working out in a supportive group environment is just plain fun for a lot of people. Some people may find working out in a group class more enjoyable than working out solo.
Motivating Environment
Working out in a group class may also motivate you and push you to set new gym records. You might find your competitive nature come out when working out with a group. You might also be motivated by your group fitness instructor to work harder than you would on your own.
Affordability
Group fitness classes are generally free or available at a low cost. Most classes range from $8 to $15 dollars per hour. If you live in a more metropolitan area or are taking more specialized classes, than that rate may jump up to $20-30 per hour. Still, the cost usually pales in comparison to working with a private coach or trainer.
Cons of Group Fitness
Despite many advantages of working out with a group, there are some downsides to consider. Here are some of the biggest cons to working out in a group fitness class.
Lack of Personal Attention
Compared to what you might experience working with a personal trainer, you might not receive as much personal attention in a group class. This may mean you won’t benefit as much from the exercises in the workout. In more extreme cases, this may mean the difference between correct exercise execution and getting injured during a workout.
Competitive Environment can Encourage Injuries
While a competitive environment in a group class can encourage you to set new personal records, it can also increase the risk of injuries. If you compromise form for speed or use too much weight relative to your abilities to keep up with the class, you might risk injuries. Some classes also feature exercises you may not have enough skill to perform safely in a circuit training environment.
For instance, I have seen many exercise classes that encourage participants to perform kettlebell swings when they have never been instructed to perform swings correctly before. Kettlebell swings actually require the ability to combine many technical skills including hip hinging, ballistic hip extension and bracing. Generally my clients have to master the kettlebell deadlift and take several sessions to learn and perfect the swing before I allow them to perform just a few reps at a time. In a class environment, a participant may be asked to perform hundreds of swings without ever learning proper technique.
Of course, good group fitness instructors can mitigate the risk of injuries by selecting good exercises for the group, selecting group participants based on skill and fitness level and encouraging participants to strive for good form over speed or load.
Final Thoughts
Group fitness classes can be an effective, fun and cost efficient way to get some exercise guidance, accountability and camaraderie. If you want to give group fitness lessons a shot, feel free to try them out but remain realistic about your abilities. However, if you feel that you would benefit more from private instruction customized to your needs, personal fitness training might suit you better.
