The Power in Group Exercise

Image courtesy of Eduardo Monsibais

Working out can be intimidating for many college students, but group exercise classes are great for learning effective workouts and providing social opportunities for participants. Group classes typically provide people with a sense of motivation during their workout sessions in contrast to individual exercise, which requires more self-control and discipline.

“Humans are hardwired for shared reality. Social relatedness is part of our DNA. We are motivated by it and we derive major intrinsic rewards from it,” said kinesiology professor Dr. Seppo Iso-Ahola. “Is it then any wonder that group exercising significantly enhances motivation for physical activity? But it alone is no panacea.”

In his paper “Human Mind: Both the Cause and Solution to the Global Pandemic of Physical Inactivity,” Iso-Ahola states that the lack-of-physical-activity epidemic is a major public health problem, as 78% of the U.S. population are non-exercisers.

Studies have shown that people are more likely to become regular-exercisers if they exercise in groups according to Dr. Iso-Ahola. He describes humans as “social animals” meaning that we tend to enjoy activities more when done with other humans.

“I think when there are dedicated people all around you working hard, you tend to push yourself even harder,” said sophomore psychology major Amanda Lewis.

Lewis attended Zumba classes at Geary F. Eppley Recreation Center throughout her freshman year, and feels that the energetic, supportive, and encouraging atmosphere propelled her to continue taking classes.

“As a full-time student who also works a part-time job, I have a very busy schedule,” said Lewis. “Fitness classes worked well for me because they were at specific times and I could set that time period into my schedule. I do not think I would work out as much as I do if I had to do so individually.”

Not only will you be challenged by other participants in classes, but you will also be learning proper form, which will lead to a more effective workout. Instructors in group classes work to make sure every participant is executing correct form, which allows you to get the most out of each exercise while also protecting yourself from possible injuries, according to the fitness organization ACTIVE.

“Every group fitness class I’ve participated in to-date has provided modifications for beginners,” said Eppley bodypump instructor Ella Burroughs. “I love teaching group fitness because I get to watch people fall in love with a new way of working out, and I get to see people improve over time.”

Burroughs described the atmosphere of group exercise classes as high-energy, and said she feels that they make working out something you look forward to rather than something that you have to do. She believes that exercising should be fun and interactive. Between upbeat music and empowered people, fitness classes can make working out more satisfying. If you find a class that you enjoy, there is a high likelihood that you will want to keep coming back!

One hidden gem of being a University of Maryland student, is that group exercise classes are included in your tuition. You can attend as many classes on campus as you want at no additional cost.

Eppley offers around 13 different group exercise classes, including bodypump, yoga, core conditioning and zumba. During the fall and spring semesters, over 100 different group exercise classes are offered weekly. The schedule of classes is kept on Eppley’s website, and varies between semesters.

The university makes signing up for fitness classes convenient for students. All you need to do to participate is fill out a group fitness waiver, which can be found online.

According to Eppley's website, classes are held in places across campus, including the Eppley Recreation Center Fitness Studio, the Functional Training Studio and the Natatorium Multipurpose Studio. Classes are also held in the Regents Drive cycling and multipurpose studios and the Ritchie Coliseum Multipurpose Studio. The variety of locations ensures that all students can have access to classes.

The next time you want to get a good workout in, try a group exercise class, and experience how it can turn your lifestyle around!