Why We Move Better Together: The Power of Group Exercise

Vamos! You might have heard ‘Vamos!’ shouted from the sidelines of a World Cup football match. If you’ve ever watched Rafa Nadal play tennis you’ve likely heard him roar it after an exciting point. Vamos! is Spanish for ‘let’s go!’  It’s more than that though. It’s a rallying call, one that creates drive and momentum.  Let’s bring the energy. Let’s show up for ourselves and each other.  It’s that spark of motivation that gets you moving … and it’s the reason Vamos! is called Vamos!  

Vamos! A Spanish call to action - let's go!

Some of the best Vamos! moments don’t happen in packed stadiums though. They happen on a misty field one morning when someone who thought they couldn’t run a full loop around the park suddenly does. Or when a group cheers a new member just for turning up, because the first step is often the hardest.   

Let’s be honest, getting moving isn’t always easy. Life gets busy, weather gets wild, motivation dips. And that’s where groups matter. If you’ve got a group waiting for you, and you sense someone is cheering ‘let’s go’, it changes things.  

There are a number of known benefits to exercising in groups: 

Showing up  

Exercising in a group setting significantly boosts commitment levels. Multiple studies have shown higher rates of adherence for group fitness programmes vs exercising alone.  Exercising with a partner or group fosters a sense of accountability making you more likely to consistently show up.  

And, once you've arrived ...  

Pushing yourself  

Live group classes lead to the highest cardiovascular intensity, enjoyment, and satisfaction among participants, according to a study in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living.  The presence of others encourages individuals to push harder than they might alone.  Proving this is not new news, however.  It was in the 1920s that German psychologist Otto Köhler first ran a series of experiments that demonstrated individuals exert more effort when working alongside someone they perceive as slightly more capable, pushing themselves harder to keep up with their peers.  

Push it!

So yes, you’ll get fitter, but that might not be the only benefit to exercising in a group ... 

Minds as well as bodies  

In one study participants in group fitness classes reported a 26% reduction in stress levels and a 26% improvement in emotional health, something not seen by those exercising alone. Put in simple terms, the shared experience of overcoming challenges and celebrating milestones contributes to improved mental well-being. 

This shouldn’t surprise us, humans are social animals ...  

Great to see you 

Group exercise is also brilliant at fostering social connections, while engaging in regular group activities can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. I’ve been going to group exercise classes for years and the long-standing ones are the ones where I know I’ll get to say ‘hi, how’s things?’ to someone.  Some become long term friends, some I only see every so often when we both happen to be on a soggy field or in a sweaty studio together. All of them leave me feeling rejuvenated. 

Not sure? Then bring a friend ...  

I will if you will 

A study from Oxford University found that exercising with friends not only enhances enjoyment but also strengthens social bonds, while researchers at Berkeley University have shown that exercise with a friend can bring stronger motivation too.  Sometimes it’s just easier to turn up, and push on, with a friend by our side.  

Yes, you did it!

So, whether you’re seeking motivation, community, a mental boost, or just a little bit of a push on your exercise, there’s little that beats group exercise.  

Let's go – together!  Vamos! 

⚡️Sign up: Vamos! group exercise classes  

⚡️Sign up together: You and a friend can both use code FRIENDS10 for 10% off your first booking. 

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