Cheers to Group Exercise!

I’ve been on this fitness program for 3 days now and I can already see the difference between working out at a gym studio for a group exercise class and popping an aerobic dvd at my very own home and unsuccessfully trying to keep up with the hour long video. I’ve taken Body Combat, Body Jam and, just a while ago, I had my first experience with Body Step (FYI I’m a member at Fitness First so if you’re interested in taking these classes then by all means sign up! as if I’m fit to be their spokesperson really HAHA). I can’t emphasize enough the importance of being surrounded by people, who not only have the same goals as you (more or less) but also being lead by a riveting instructor, who you might wonder how the hell he/she comes up with all the energy they radiate. Seriously, it’s like they’re high on sugar or caffeine… Hahaha.

According to a social psychologist, Norman Triplett (1898), the presence of being surrounded by people, who are free to judge our actions or compete with us even, intensifies our need to perform well at whatever task is on hand or, in this case, up the workout. Moreover, studies have shown that people “conform to unwritten group rules.” (Asch, 1951) The aforesaid, applying it to gym group exercises, means that because, more often than not, people who are taking the class with you are motivated to be fit and to shed off their respective unwanted pounds YOU as well are bounded by this type of behavior. In a nut shell, if you’re participating in a group exercise session, then you better work your ass of just like the others! Hahahaha.

We all live in a world mitigated by social relations; thus, one can never take for granted the true power that lies in the presence of others.

1. terimar posted this