Consider Group Fitness: Exploring The Benefits and Variety Available

Exercising before, during or after menopause can offer many health benefits that are both physical and mental. For women who are in these varying stages of menopause, building a regular exercise routine is one preventative method that can help to protect your quality of life during these physical changes.[1]

If you’re looking to build on an existing fitness routine or revamp your approach to exercise altogether, group fitness should be on your consideration list.  Group fitness may have already been a part of your routine for decades, or you may have never set foot inside a room with other people ready to get their heart rates up. Wherever you fall on the experience spectrum, group fitness offers a wide range of benefits that are well worth your attention.

 

Types of group fitness

Group fitness can take place across all kinds of fitness activities, with classes or group activities often found within water aerobics, pilates, yoga, strength training and Tai Chi. It’s not only women experiencing pre-menopause or menopause who can benefit from group fitness, of course: with accountability, a certified instructor and the group setting, everyone can find benefits within group fitness environments.

You may find yourself in a cycling studio with 30 other people, or in a quiet gym working with two or three. Group fitness doesn’t have to look like the exercise experience of your nightmares. Whatever your preferences are in terms of socialisation, noise, intensity and commitment, there’s an option that can suit your needs.

 

The psychological benefits of group fitness

Beyond the physical benefits of group fitness lie the psychological benefits – and these may be what surprise you the most.

Psychological benefits can include:

• An increase in your social health. As socialisation is a key part of group fitness, you may find that this form of training has a positive impact on your social wellbeing. A common goal can be highly motivating, and within classes and group activities, you’re working towards the same goals as your peers within a shared experience. This kind of support can also be of great benefit to beginners who may not be so comfortable with different movements or activities – in a group environment, there’s a wide spectrum of experience that can encourage you to take risks or learn from your peers as well as your instructor.
• The power of a set schedule. Not too great at keeping up a consistent exercise routine? Take the power of choice out of your hands and commit to someone else’s schedule. With so many fitness providers offering workout classes at all hours of the day, you can make the most of a calendar commitment to reaching your weekly exercise goals. The additional accountability doesn’t hurt, either!
• An increase in your confidence. If you’re not quite ready to work in a one-on-one environment with a personal trainer, a group fitness environment could be the perfect icebreaker. The attention isn’t on you all the time (and these classes are often cheaper too). If you’re looking to get comfortable in a new form of exercise or in a new gym environment, joining a group fitness activity can be a great way to learn these routines and exercises, get used to the equipment, and build some great friends in the process.

 

The physical benefits of group fitness

Much like individual fitness activities, group fitness activities can have a marked impact on your physical wellbeing.

Looking to increase your flexibility? Jump into a group yoga or pilates class. Want to know how to navigate the weights room? Check out a group strength training session. Keen to dance off the day’s worries? You can find a Zumba class for that!
Group fitness can help individuals to reach their fitness goals. For individuals who haven’t been able to keep up a regular commitment to exercise, group fitness environments can lead to dramatic changes in their physical fitness and wellbeing, thanks to the physical, social and emotional benefits of these classes.

 

Finding the right group fitness activity for you

There’s no need to force yourself to do something you know you’re going to hate. If you’re considering group fitness for the first time, ease in gently by making a strategic choice about which activity you’ll do and where.

It’s important to start by looking for an expert instructor who’s qualified to lead the group. Credibility matters, and can mean the difference between learning in a safe and supportive environment, or getting taught lousy form that can lead to injuries down the track.

You’ll also want to consider which environment is going to feel most comfortable to you. While many gyms offer group fitness options, this isn’t the only choice. Take a look at local providers and consider where you’ll feel most comfortable as you try out this new form of exercise.

Finally, make sure you choose something that’s sustainable! If you know it’s going to be impossible to get to a 6pm class on Wednesdays each week, opt for an early-morning session instead. Finding a class time that suits your schedule can be the difference between going once and going every week.

 

Exercise and menopause

While research hasn’t conclusively demonstrated that exercise can reduce menopausal symptoms, its health benefits are proven across many key areas related to overall health and wellbeing.[2]

Regular exercise can help to control weight, combat health conditions and diseases, improve moods, boost energy and improve sleep. With so many normal bodily functions under stress during menopause, building a regular exercise routine can be instrumental in supporting your daily health and happiness.

Alongside exercise, customised treatment plans can be crucial in supporting women through menopause. Our team provides individualised treatment plans based on unique symptoms, health considerations and experiences. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you through the changes of menopause.

 

[1] Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, December 3). Want to get fit after menopause? Here’s how. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved December 9, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/fitness-tips-for-menopause/art-20044602

[2] Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, October 8). 7 great reasons why exercise matters. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved December 9, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389