Fitness: Motivation: Group Exercise

Lately, I have been thinking about what a huge difference exercising in groups can make in keeping you from derailing from your workouts.  When you join a running group, regularly attend an exercise class, or pay for a package of yoga/pilates/etc classes, you are held more accountable because it has become more of a social event than purely exercise.

As of late, I have joined a running group call CRW (Crew Runs the World), and I absolutely adore running with them. I found them through my marathon training team (Nike Women's Running Team Two Six Points Two) over the summer, and I am so glad I did! I cannot make it to every meeting, but I look forward to the runs I can go to.  I usually run to the location we meet at, and the last part of my long run for the week (given I can fit it in) is now something to look forward to.  I get to run and socialize during the last portion of my run.  It makes the time go by so much faster, and I am making some new friends along the way.  It is exciting to learn about the new people I surround myself with.  I also get excited to see the people I have met before at the last run.  When you join something like a running group, you can guarantee that you will have at least one thing in common with them and can chat with them about.  Chances are that these people will have even more in common with you than you think.  For instance, I am studying to be a teacher, currently in my student teaching phase of my degree, and there are numerous teachers in my running group.  It is fun to share my stories with them and go to them for counsel.

Again, running groups are not the only way you can exercise in a group setting and have this type of bond with others.  Here are some ways to be social and exercise:

• Join a local running/race training group
• Join an intramural sports team/create a team that meets at your local gym for a pick-up game once or twice a week
• Sign up for a dance class or attend Zumba with friends
• Purchase a yoga or pilates membership
• Go to a spin/cycle class
• Join an outdoor biking group 
• encourage your friends or family to sign up for an upcoming race (i.e. triatholon, mud run, spartan race, half marathon, 5K, etc) and train together 
• sign up for a boxing membership
• Attend a weights class or a strength training class (like TRX)
• sign up for a bootcamp 

These are only a few!  What is your favorite way to socially exercise? Comment below!